Elephants are on the march—and they may be coming to a city near you! You might be wondering what kind of havoc they will cause as they stampede through streets and parks. But don’t worry. These aren’t real elephants. They are elephant sculptures. They are part of a public art exhibit called the Great Elephant Migration. And they are here to spread a message.
The elephant sculptures were crafted by Indigenous artists from across India. Each sculpture is modeled after a real elephant roaming freely in the wild. The artists constructed the sculptures using an invasive [harmful, non-native] weed. The weed is called lantana camara. It has spread across parts of India. Ecosystems that Indian elephants rely on have been damaged by the invasive weed.
The exhibit’s goal is to raise awareness about issues impacting elephants and other species. Elephants around the world are endangered [at risk of going extinct]. The exhibit’s organizers hope that people see the sculptures and answer the call to protect Earth’s fragile ecosystems. They installed the sculptures in parks, on beaches, and in other public spaces for an important reason. They wanted to make the point that people and wildlife can coexist [to live at the same time or in the same place].
The elephant sculptures have already traveled thousands of miles, delighting onlookers everywhere they go. Their first US stop was in Newport, Rhode Island. They then migrated to New York City and Miami Beach, Florida. They will arrive in Houston, Texas, in April. They will appear at Hermann Park from April 1st to the 28th. Later this year, the exhibit will travel to Wyoming, Montana, and California.
What Do You Think? How can people and wildlife coexist?
Photo Credit: Erik Pendzich / Alamy Stock Photo
