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Herd Of 100 Elephants Migrate To Beverly Hills In Cross-Country Journey
Herd Of 100 Elephants Migrate To Beverly Hills In Cross-Country Journey originally appeared on L.A. Mag.
The Great Elephant Migration is an international art and fundraising exhibit, shedding light on Indigenous knowledge and highlighting the coexistence of people and elephants living in the densest populations of the world, as well as the importance of environmental conservation. With 100 handmade and lifesize elephant sculptures sustainably crafted from the invasive Lantana camara plant, these pieces were designed by The Real Elephant Collective, an organization consisting of over 200 Indigenous artists from the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Each elephant sculpture is modeled after a living wild elephant coexisting alongside the artisans. Behind each life-sized figure, a real elephant's name and personality are by indigenous artists, cultural institutions, and wildlife conservationists, this mobile exhibit journeyed across the country, touring spots in Newport, Rhode Island, The Meatpacking District of New York City, Miami Beach, Florida, Houston, Texas, Blackfeet Nation, Montana, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and the deserts of Utah, Nevada, and California—these handcrafted sculptures are currently settled in Beverly Hills Garden Park along Santa Monica Boulevard, spanning four blocks from Rodeo Drive to Rexford Drive, and will be available for public view through August 1st of this year.
From June 17th to the 26th, these elephants have stayed busy throughout the last leg of their long journey. From Blackfeet Nation, Jackson Hole, to West Yellowstone, these sculptures made their way to Salt Lake City, Zion National Park, Las Vegas, and Joshua Tree before arriving in Los Angeles. The elephants and their trucks were decked out in style; Indian lorry art, streamers, garlands, and textiles—among other embellishments—added vibrant color and a celebratory atmosphere to the ending of this country-wide trek. Along the way, notable appearances included remarks from Democratic Minority Leader Angela Romero, as well as drumming performances from the Ute Tribe, a presentation of the Key to the Las Vegas Strip by Clark County Commission Chair Tick Segerblom, and a motorized escort from The Litas, a global women's riding collective. The elephant convoy also stopped by the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Agoura Hills, which is undergoing its final stages of construction and will be the largest wildlife bridge in the a celebration was held on June 27th to mark the finish line of these elephants' journey. At the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, ceremonial blankets were draped on these figures, displaying a global textile collection—fittingly named "Wrapped In History"—carefully put together by Vikram Goyal, a New Delhi-based designer. From South Asian to Indigenous North American designs, this exhibit features 70 custom blankets from artisans preserving the craft of diasporic textile tradition worldwide. Ultimately, the profits from the auctioned blankets as well as the elephants themselves will fuel the goal of The Great Elephant Migration: to foster a connection between humans and the natural world.
August 1st will mark the end of this elephant installation and the "Wrapped In History" textile exhibit, with an event called "Kiss Them Goodbye." This final farewell and last appeal for endangered wildlife conservation will conclude the country-wide expedition, but not without leaving a lasting impact on each area this unforgettable elephant convoy visited. As Beverly Hills Mayor Sharona Nazarian stated, 'The Great Elephant Migration is more than an art installation, it's a powerful sign of unity, connecting us to the stories of wildlife and reminding us of our joint responsibility to protect our planet and wildlife. We're proud to host this meaningful exhibition that illuminates our city's values of environmental stewardship, cultural appreciation, and community connection. It will bring wonder, awareness, and a sense of meaning to our city."No doubt this sentiment resounds throughout all areas this Great Elephant Migration toured, leaving behind an excitement and enthusiasm for the ways in which wildlife and humanity can peacefully coincide.
This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
