The Great Elephant Migration has officially arrived in New York, showcasing 100 Indian life-size elephant sculptures. The elephant sculptures were crafted from the lantana weed, and have been created by local tribal artisans from Gudalur in the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu.
What Is Great Elephant Migration?
The Great Elephant Migration Campaign is travelling around the world to spread the message of the coexistence of humans and animals. It also creates awareness about the importance of removing invasives like lantana camara from forests in order to save wildlife.
Crafters Of Elephants Sculptures:
The sculptures are the work of the Coexistence Collective, a group of 200 indigenous artisans from the Bettakurumba, Paniya, Kattunayakan, and Soliga communities within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
Each elephant sculpture is an anatomically accurate representation of real elephants currently living in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, and the artisans spent five years perfecting their craft.
Reason For Using Lantana Camara Weed:
These life-sized elephants are constructed from Lantana camara, a highly invasive flowering weed that spreads rapidly and disrupts ecosystems. By repurposing this invasive species, the project not only helps remove lantana from protected areas but also provides more space for wildlife to thrive.
Elephant Family USA:
The Great Elephant Migration is led by Elephant Family USA, a charity dedicated to protecting Asian wildlife. The campaign also enjoys support from renowned figures in conservation, media, and fashion, including sponsorship from the Indian luxury house Sabyasachi.
