Mall models tell coexistence story
ELEPHANT FAMILY HERD AIMS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF HOW HUMANS CAN SHARE SPACE WITH ANIMALS
A LIFE-SIZED model of a herd of about 125 elephants went on display in central London last Saturday (15) to trumpet the idea that humans and wild animals can co-exist.
Conservation group Elephant Family, which brought the models to London for the display, is behind the awareness drive.
The models are the work of indigenous people who live alongside the elephants in southern India’s Nilgiri Hills.
Lantana, an invasive weed whose removal from protected areas benefits wildlife, was used to make the elephants.
Joanna Lumley, an ambassador of the Elephant Family, said, “The elephants crossing London’s Mall are as mighty as they are meaningful, and I am proud this campaign.
“The herd has arrived at the time of a great pause, when our human footprint on the wild world has lessened and wildlife everywhere has flourished.
“These elephants carry with them inspiring stories of coexistence and we have much to learn from them.”
Ruth Ganesh, the principal trustee of the Elephant Family added, “Saving them is really about saving ourselves.”
Following their display at The Mall, the model elephants will be on show in London parks. They will go on sale for £30,000 each to raise funds which will be used for conservation activities, such as planting crops for elephants on
to
represent the edges of farmland to distract them from food grown for humans.
Some model elephants will be on display at London’s Sladmore Contemporary gallery as part of an exhibition on coexistence to be held in June and July, featuring artist George Butler.
Bollywood actress and Elephant Family ambassador Amy Jackson said, “Following The Mall, these elephants will make their way around the globe on their 13,000 mile migration. As they reach new places, they will tell the story of our crowded planet, the effect of our human footprint on wild spaces and share inspiring ways we can coexist with all living beings that make our world magical – from tigers and badgers to nightingales and elephants.”