Elephants’ Journey From India To New York Highlights Coexistence Efforts

The Great Elephant Migration, featuring 100 life-sized elephant sculptures, has reached New York. This travelling exhibition, crafted by Indian artisans over five years, captivates onlookers with its powerful message of coexistence. The sculptures, made by local tribal artisans from Gudalur in Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, are constructed from the invasive lantana species, as shared by IAS officer Supriya Sahu on social media platform X.

A Global Campaign for Conservation

The exhibit is part of a global campaign aimed at fundraising for “human-wildlife coexistence projects.” The campaign’s website emphasizes the importance of sharing space with wildlife and protecting migratory animals as they traverse diverse terrains. This collaboration between indigenous artisans, contemporary artists, and cultural institutions seeks to raise millions of dollars to support conservation initiatives.

Artisan Craftsmanship and Ecological Impact

The 100 elephants, crafted by The Coexistence Collective—a group of 200 indigenous artisans from Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve—are anatomically accurate and based on real elephants from the Nilgiri Hills of southern India. The sculptures, made from lantana camara, a highly invasive weed, highlight the dual purpose of the project: removing lantana from protected wildlife areas to allow more space for native species to thrive.

Support from Prominent Figures Elephant Family USA, a charity dedicated to the protection of Asian wildlife, leads the campaign, with support from high-profile figures in conservation, media, and fashion. Indian luxury brand Sabyasachi is among the sponsors of this unique exhibit.