Imagine a herd of 100 life-sized elephant sculptures, each one meticulously crafted by Indigenous artisans, traveling around the world. This is The Great Elephant Migration—a unique blend of art, conservation, and cultural heritage designed to raise awareness about wildlife protection and the importance of living in harmony with nature.
By transforming public spaces with these striking sculptures, The Great Elephant Migration aims to inspire a global movement to protect endangered species and promote sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife. Now, this extraordinary journey has arrived in the US.
Crafting a symbol of hope out of invasive plants
Each elephant in the migration is an anatomically perfect replica crafted by the Coexistence Collective, a community of 200 Indigenous Indian artisans from the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Over the past five years, this collective has beautifully brought to life every elephant they live alongside, capturing each one in intricate sculptural detail.
The sculptures are made from Lantana camara, an invasive plant species causing significant ecological damage in India. By using this material, the project not only transforms a problem into art but also aids in the large-scale removal of Lantana from protected areas, freeing up more space for wildlife to roam and contributing to forest restoration and biodiversity conservation.
Elephants being created by The Coexistence Collective. Image Credit: Saipreeth S. Thattari, The Great Elephant Migration.
A journey across America
After a tour across the United Kingdom, the migration began its march in the US on July 4, 2024, in Newport, Rhode Island. The herd is set to traverse several iconic locations across America, including Manhattan, New York; Miami Beach, Florida; Blackfeet Nation, Montana; Jackson, Wyoming; and concluding in Los Angeles, California, in September 2025.
At each stop, the herd transforms public spaces, inviting local communities and visitors to engage with the sculptures and the stories they represent. The migration serves as a poignant metaphor for the real-life migrations of animals, which are increasingly threatened by human activities and climate change.
The Great Elephant Migration on the coast of Newport, Rhode Island. Image Credit: Corey Favino, Courtesy of the Elephant Family and Newport Restoration Foundation.
Making an impact through conservation
The Great Elephant Migration is more than a visual spectacle; it’s a call to action. Funds raised through the sale of the elephant sculptures will go towards conservation projects around the world, particularly those integrating Indigenous knowledge and promoting coexistence with wildlife. One of the goals is to remove Lantana camara from 300 hectares of protected areas in India by 2026, creating 500 jobs for local communities and restoring habitat for displaced species.
The project also includes a large-scale carbon sequestration effort. This involves shredding Lantana and converting it into biochar, a stable form of carbon that improves soil health and water retention and sequesters carbon, offering a viable solution to mitigate climate change.
Matriarch Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, with her elephant, Mayflower, named after a tree that blooms with beautiful red flowers across the Nilgiri Hills. Image Credit: The Great Elephant Migration, Instagram.
The power of the matriarchy
Elephants live in matriarchal societies, led by experienced elder females who guide and protect their herds. Reflecting this natural structure, The Great Elephant Migration is a women-led conservation effort, bringing together a group of influential women known as “The Matriarchy.”
This diverse group, which includes environmentalists, philanthropists, storytellers, and creatives like Dr. Jane Goodall, Kris Tompkins, Dr. Sylvia Earle, Zainab Salbi, Cher, and Susan Sarandon among others, rallies support for human-wildlife coexistence throughout the Migration. By leveraging their influence, these matriarchs champion the cause of conservation, emphasizing the vital role of women’s leadership in fostering a more harmonious relationship with nature.
One Earth’s role in the movement
One Earth is honored to be an NGO partner for The Great Elephant Migration, joining forces to support conservation efforts and raise awareness about the importance of protecting biodiversity and mitigating climate change. As part of this partnership, two elephants in the herd have been dedicated to One Earth’s Co-founder and Executive Director, Justin Winters, and Board Member, Rick Ridgeway.
Kamini the Matriarch, representing Justin, and Arun the Tusker, symbolizing Rick, embody the values of leadership and commitment to the planet that both individuals have demonstrated throughout their careers.
“To see our names associated with these beautiful elephants is a humbling experience. It’s a reminder of the work still to be done and the incredible potential we have to inspire change.” — Justin Winters, One Earth.
Kamini the Matriarch, representing One Earth’s Co-founder and Executive Director, Justin Winters (left) and Arun the Tusker, symbolizing One Earth’s Board Member, Rick Ridgeway (right). Image Credit: The Great Elephant Migration.
A stop in New York City for Climate Week
As part of its journey, The Great Elephant Migration arrives in New York City for Climate Week, bringing its message of conservation to a global audience. During this stop, a series of events, including a Blessing Ceremony and a panel discussion, will highlight the importance of coexistence and explore how these principles can be applied in an urban context.
The events aim to engage the public, policymakers, and influencers in discussions about how we can all contribute to a more harmonious relationship with nature.
The elephants at sunset in England. Image Credit: The Great Elephant Migration.
Engaging the world to protect Nature
The journey of The Great Elephant Migration is designed to reach millions, not only through physical installations but also through a robust social media presence. By engaging celebrities, environmentalists, influencers, and every day people, the campaign amplifies its reach, inviting a global audience to participate in the story of coexistence.
As the elephants journey across the US, they serve as ambassadors of a future where humans and wildlife share space in harmony. This migration is a powerful reminder that we all play a part in shaping that future.
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