STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: May 20, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Matthew Brown, Recreation Services Manager
Christopher Paulson, Deputy Director of Community Services Subject: Recommendation by Arts and Culture Commission Council Liaisons Vice Mayor Mirisch and Councilmember Wells to
Approve the proposed Great Elephant Migration art exhibition in Beverly Gardens Park in July 2025
Attachments: 1. April 29, 2025 Arts & Culture Council Liaisons report
INTRODUCTION
Coexistence Story Inc. DBA Elephant Family USA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on the conservation of Asian elephants and wildlife, including the protection of natural habitats to foster the co-existence of wildlife and the indigenous communities that live alongside them. The Great Elephant Migration is one of the conservation projects delivered by Elephant Family USA, and exhibits an ongoing traveling global environmental art campaign, installed in often urban locations, comprised of approximately 100 life-sized elephant sculptures, replicating a herd of elephants in the wild at scale. Each elephant sculpture is made from an invasive weed in India called Lantana camara, and modeled after tusker, matriarch, adolescent, or calf elephants at the approximate size found in the wild. One of the fundraising elements of the Great Elephant Migration exhibitions, includes the ability for the public to purchase replica sculptures of each of the elephants that are on display at a given exhibit.
The current 2024-2025 schedule of exhibitions for the Great Elephant Migration is taking place in the U.S. and began in Newport, Rhode Island in July 2024. Subsequent stops since have included New York City, Miami Beach, and Houston, with upcoming exhibits in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Browning, Montana, and this proposed exhibit in Beverly Hills would culminate the Great Elephant Migration journey in the U.S. If approved, organizers plan to locate the exhibition in Beverly Hills in July 2025, along six blocks of Beverly Gardens Park.
The Arts and Culture Commission Council Liaisons, Vice Mayor Mirisch and Councilmember Wells, met on April 29, 2025 and received an introductory report from staff and a presentation from Ruth Ganesh and Fiona Humphrey, Co-CEOs of Elephant Family USA Inc. The report and presentation are included as Attachment 1.
Council Liaisons expressed enthusiasm for the exhibit but had some concerns and questions requiring follow up by staff including, confirmation that Elephant Family USA Meeting Date: May 20, 2025
Inc. would cover the cost of sod and irrigation restoration in addition to security costs, as a condition of extending their support for the exhibit to the full City Council. In subsequent conversations with the Elephant Family USA Inc. team, they confirmed that they will pay for any sod and irrigation restoration and are eager to partner with the City of Beverly Hills.
DISCUSSION
This proposal for the Great Elephant Migration exhibition to occur in Beverly Hills, was initially brokered through the local Beverly Hills business community, from an introduction by business-owner, and member of the Executive Board of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce, Bobbe Joy Dawson. A series of meetings between Elephant Family USA Inc. staff and the City’s Policy and Management staff, reviewed the proposal against criteria outlined as necessary to fulfill the City’s special event permitting requirements. After this series of internal review and fact-finding processes occurred with Elephant Family USA Inc. and Policy and Management, Community Services continued the review process, including the evaluation of proposed installation plans and layouts within Beverly Gardens Park in consideration of existing Community Services events, such as Festival Beverly Hills on Sunday July 20, 2025.
Staff determined that based upon the proposal, and discussions with Elephant Family USA Inc. staff, the exhibition proposed to occur in July 2025 at Beverly Gardens Park was feasible as presented. The range of dates proposed for the exhibition to occur includes initial installation work beginning on June 25, 2025, and de-installation beginning on August 2, 2025, followed by three or four days to completely strike and load out of the site. The fully activated installation on display would run from July 1, 2025, through August 1, 2025. To commemorate the kickoff of the Great Elephant Migration exhibition in Beverly Hills, and the culmination of the U.S. Great Elephant Migration, a celebratory kickoff event is planned to take place at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on Friday, June 27, 2025.
The elephant sculptures replicate the actual size and scale of elephants in the wild, and as such, range in size from 3 feet in height and 60 to 70 pounds in weight for a calf, to 10 feet in height and 800 pounds in weight for the largest adult male elephant sculptures. The elephant sculptures are installed and attached to a steel rebar frame below each elephant leg, stabilizing bars attached to each foot mount, and secured to ground using a ground anchor and cable assembly designed for grass installations, with a load capacity of 2,000 pounds, and ground anchor weight load of 400 pounds. As part of the installation and exhibition, Elephant Family USA implements a series of fire risk management and fire safety measures, in accordance with Beverly Hills Municipal Code, California Fire Code, and Los Angeles County Fire Department requirements for public art installations.
One of the cost contingencies Elephant Family USA Inc. agrees to absorb as part of the exhibition agreement, and at the recommendation of staff, is the hard cost coverage of any landscape or irrigation impacts in Beverly Gardens Park, resulting from the exhibition. Based upon worst case scenario projections provided by Public Works, should the entirety of the sodding located in the installation area need to be replaced, and damage is incurred in the areas to irrigation lines and sprinkler heads, Elephant Family USA Inc. agrees to pay the City a potential landscaping repair cost of $27,700 at the conclusion of the exhibition.
Throughout the course of the exhibition, Elephant Family USA Inc. will have an exhibit manager on-site daily and will provide volunteer docents during daytime operating hours, Meeting Date: May 20, 2025
to greet visitors, and educate the public about the exhibition, and the mission of The Great Elephant Migration. Within the footprint of the exhibition, The Great Elephant Migration would install a temporary Informational booth at a strategic location, to provide a base and marked location for the volunteers to check-in. To address any potential concerns about the risk of vandalism to the elephant sculptures, or unintended damage occurring during the exhibition, staff recommends that Elephant Family USA Inc. cover the costs of overnight security to patrol the exhibition. The City will work with one of our currently contracted security providers to provide and schedule the security personnel, and those costs would be invoiced by the City to Elephant Family USA Inc. at the conclusion of the exhibition. Costs to provide two private security guards to patrol the exhibition in Beverly Gardens Park from 7:00am – 7:00pm over the total dates of the exhibition, have been quoted at $33,945.12.
If the City Council approves the exhibit, the City would accept a donation of the artwork.
At the conclusion of the exhibition, the City would donate the elephant sculptures to Elephant Family USA Inc., upon the satisfactory completion of payment for hard costs associated with the exhibition, including any landscape and irrigation restoration costs, as well as the total cost of providing overnight private security during the exhibition.
Should the City Council approve the exhibit, staff will work with Elephant Family USA Inc. to enter into an agreement for the donation, installation, maintenance, operation, and removal of the Great Elephant Migration. Through the agreement process, staff will work with Elephant Family USA Inc. to obtain all necessary permits, insurance, and implement any measures required by the permit. As part of the partnership with Elephant Family USA Inc., staff recommends permit fees and installation plan review fees be absorbed by the City. Some of the conditions that will be required in the permit include street and sidewalk closures during installation and removal of the exhibit, which will be managed and implemented by Public Works and Beverly Hills Police Department.
Engineered plans, stamped by a licensed professional engineer in the State of California, are required to be submitted to the City for review and approval prior to the installation of any temporary structures. This includes all public art installations, which must be properly engineered to account for applicable vertical and lateral loads. Each installation must be securely anchored to withstand forces such as uplift, sliding, and overturning, as well as complying with Americans with Disability Act (ADA) requirements.
Construction documents detailing these requirements must accompany the submittal and bear the stamp of a licensed professional engineer in the State of California to ensure compliance with safety and structural standards. The City will also prepare a notification letter to send out to all residents and businesses within 1,000 feet of the event site at least two weeks prior to the event start date, consistent with the City policy.
Installation, maintenance, operations, and eventual removal of the art exhibit will be performed by Elephant Family USA Inc. Elephant Family USA Inc. will also be responsible for the prompt removal of any part of the installation in need of refresh or repair due to damage, accidents, or wear and tear. Additionally, all insurance requirements, indemnification language, and waivers and releases, will be required and addressed in the agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Great Elephant Migration agrees to reimburse the City for actual costs for the provision of overnight security during the exhibition and potential landscape and irrigation restoration. A current estimate totals $61,645.12, which includes a quoted cost Meeting Date: May 20, 2025
of $33,945.12 for security, and $27,700 for potential landscape and irrigation restoration, due upon the completion of the exhibition.
Through the agreement process, staff will work with Elephant Family USA Inc. to obtain all necessary permits, insurance, and implement any measures required by the permit.
As part of the partnership with Elephant Family USA Inc., staff is requesting permit fees and installation plan review fees be absorbed by the City.
There are no additional hard costs expected to be absorbed by the City as a result of hosting the Great Elephant Migration exhibition in Beverly Gardens Park. Elephant Family USA Inc. will donate the 100 Indian elephant sculptures to the City at no cost.
Elephant Family USA Inc. will also donate their time and services to provide the installation, maintenance, operation, and removal of the elephant sculptures at no cost to the City.
Upon receipt of payment for overnight security and landscape and irrigation restoration, the City will donate the 100 Indian elephant sculptures back to Elephant Family USA Inc.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff is seeking full City Council support of the Arts and Culture Commission Council Liaisons’, Vice Mayor Mirisch and Councilmember Wells, recommendation to approve the proposed Great Elephant Migration art exhibition, to take place in Beverly Gardens Park in July 2025, and; approval from the City Council to waive all fees associated with the installation.
If supported by the City Council, an item on the May 20, 2025 Formal Consent Agenda will request approval from the City Council to waive all fees associated with the installation, and; authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Elephant Family USA Inc. for the donation, installation, maintenance, operation, and removal of the Great Elephant Migration exhibition in Beverly Gardens Park.
Stephanie Harris,
Director of Community Services
Approved By
Attachment 1
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: April 29, 2025
To: Arts and Culture Council Liaisons Vice Mayor John Mirisch and Councilmember Mary Wells
From: Matthew Brown, Recreation Services Manager
Christopher Paulson, Deputy Director of Community Services Subject: The Great Elephant Migration proposed installation at Beverly Gardens Park in July 2025
Attachments: 1. The Great Elephant Migration – Proposal Presentation
INTRODUCTION
The Great Elephant Migration is delivered by Elephant Family USA, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization focused on enabling the co-existence of the human and wildlife population, and the protection of endangered elephant and other species in Asia and around the world, and their natural habitats. Exhibitions of the Great Elephant Migration feature an ongoing traveling public art event installed in often urban locations, comprised of approximately 100 life-size elephant sculptures replicating a herd of elephants in the wild, at scale, and composed of natural plant materials.
Among other avenues, one of the fundraising components includes The Great Elephant Migration making the number of elephants on display at an exhibition location, available for purchase by the public. The 2024-2025 schedule of exhibitions for The Great Elephant Migration began in Newport, Rhode Island in July 2024, followed by exhibition stops in New York City, Miami Beach, Houston, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Organizers plan to culminate the migration with an installation in Southern California, hoping to locate the exhibition in Beverly Hills in July 2025, along six blocks of Beverly Gardens Park.
DISCUSSION
The proposed Beverly Hills installation was initially brought forward from the local business community, through an introduction by business-owner Bobbe Joy Dawson, also a member of the Executive Board of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce. After some meetings with staff from The Great Elephant Migration, and Policy and Management, to Meeting Date: April 29, 2025
review the proposal and outline the potential criteria that would be necessary to address to fulfill the City’s special event permitting requirements, Community Services was brought in to continue the review process. After this series of internal review processes, and factfinding meetings with The Great Elephant Migration team, staff have determined that based upon the discussions and proposal information that has been supplied thus far, it could be feasible for the exhibition proposed by The Great Elephant Migration to occur in July 2025 at Beverly Gardens Park. The range of dates that have been proposed for the installation to occur, would include some initial installation work to occur beginning around June 25, 2025, with the targeted full installation date of July 1, 2025, and a targeted end of installation date on August 1, 2025, followed by an additional three or four days to strike the exhibition, and completely load out of the site.
During the exhibition, The Great Elephant Migration provides volunteers during the daytime hours of the installation, to answer questions about the exhibition. Along with the installment of the elephant sculptures for the exhibit, The Great Elephant Migration would propose to install a temporary booth at a strategic location adjacent to the elephants, to house an Informational Booth for the exhibition volunteers. The Great Elephant Migration team will work with all relevant City departments to obtain proper permits and inspections to ensure safety measures are followed during installation, exhibition, and deinstallation.
To address potential concerns related to any potential risk of vandalism, or unintended damage to the sculptures, staff recommends that The Great Elephant Migration cover the costs of overnight security to patrol the exhibition.
As part of this proposed exhibition in Beverly Gardens Park, consideration for the City’s resolution governing regulations for private displays and structures in public parks will have to be addressed. With the adoption of Resolutions Nos. 96-R-9493 and 96-R-9507, overnight private displays and structures in public parks for any longer than two days, is prohibited. In order for The Great Elephant Migration’s proposed installation and exhibition to occur in Beverly Gardens Park over this prolonged period in June, July, and August, a loan agreement would have to be reached between The Great Elephant Migration and the City of Beverly Hills, to ensure that the sculptures installed at Beverly Gardens Park are loaned to the City of Beverly Hills during the term of the exhibition. As part of the agreement, the City of Beverly Hills would then return ownership of the sculptures, back to The Great Elephant Migration, at the conclusion of the exhibition.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is not expected to be any additional hard costs absorbed by the City for hosting The Great Elephant Migration exhibition in Beverly Gardens Park. Costs to provide two private security guards to patrol the exhibition from 7:00pm – 7:00am over the total course of the exhibition from June 25, 2025, through August 4, 2025, have been quoted at $33,945.12.
Any private security costs would be directly passed on to The Great Elephant Migration.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff is seeking direction from Council Liaisons.
Stephanie Harris,
Director of Community Service
Approved By
Meeting Date: April 29, 2025
Attachment 1
A proposal to the Special Events Division
for the City of
A proposal for a large scale event
Contents
About us - pages 4-7
Type of Event - 8-16
Dates - 17
Location - 17-31
Overall Budget - 32
Letters of Support - 33-37
Attendees - 38-41
Demographic - 38-41
Public Benefits - 42-47
Notable Supporters - 48-51
Publicity and PR - 52-62
Permits - 63
Impact to the City - 64-65
Our Commitment - 66
1. About us
Elephant Family USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to building landscapes that support
human-wildlife coexistence for Asia’s
endangered elephants and many other
species around the world.
Together with our Royal Patrons, His
Majesty King Charles III and Queen
Camilla, we are currently leading The Great
Elephant Migration, an exhibition featuring
100 handmade Indian elephants on a
5,000-mile migration across the USA.
https://thegreatelephantmigration.org/
https://elephant-family.org
https://www.coexistencestory.com/
The migration supports 21
conservation NGOs worldwide.
In California, local beneficiaries
include the L.A. based charity One
Earth, which works to solve the
interconnected crises of climate
change and biodiversity loss, and
the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife
Crossing, a project creating the
world’s largest wildlife corridor.
This vital infrastructure will protect
and restore wildlife habitats
throughout Southern California.
“These truly mesmerizing majestic
mammals — sculpted to scale by
indigenous artists using plant remnants
— are morally profound works of art
that amplify how humans can coexist
with nature, rather than co-opt it. The
migration piece directly aligns with the
Annenberg Foundation’s work globally
on conservation, as well as increasing
engagement with the arts through
powerful communication.
I am so happy to support this
triumphant and most meaningful exhibit,
which culminates its American run steps
from the Wallis Annenberg Center for
the Performing Arts.”
- Wallis Annenberg
NGO Partnerships
Our partner NGOs include:
2. Type of Event
The Great Elephant Migration is a large-scale
public art event featuring 100 life-size elephants
each modelled on a real-life Asian elephant
currently roaming the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu,
India. The elephants are clad using an invasive
weed called Lantana Camara intricately wrapped
around a bespoke, anatomically precise,
steel rebar frame.
The exhibition amplifies Indigenous knowledge
and inspires the human race to share space. In
2024 the 100-strong herd migrated along the East
Coast, with installations in Newport, Rhode Island,
Meatpacking District, NYC and Miami Beach.
The elephants are now making their way west,
stopping in Houston Texas, Montana and Jackson
Hole, with L.A. planned as the finale for this one-off
symbolic journey.
The Sculptures
The elephants are divided into four categories:
Tusker Matriarch Adolescent Calf
Sculpture Dimensions
While the elephant sculptures can remain stable without fixings for a short period during installation, securing them with fixings is essential once they are placed in public areas. This can be done in a variety of ways.
Stabilizer Brackets
The steel rebar frame extends below each leg of elephant, allowing it to be used to attach each sculpture to a metal frame which in turn is weighted and/or affixed to the surface it sits on.
Stabilizer Bars
(4-8 per elephant) 1” x 1” x 6ft steel tubular bars attached to each foot mount Ground Anchors and Cables Assembly’s
(Grass Option)
A verlock galvanized cable is looped through each of the tubular steel holes and the loops in the ground anchors. The wire has thickness of 1/8 (rated to 2500lbs a wire). The shackles have a load capacity of 2,000 lbs and the ground anchors a weight load of 400 lbs.
1/8" 7X19 galvanized cable assembly
with thimble eye on one end and stop
the other end
1/2 load rated screw pin anchor
shackle
15’’- 25” auger earth anchor w/ spiral
screw, painted, 1/2” rod
Hard Surface Option
The ballast weight is specifically calibrated based on wind speed calculations for each location. The ballast is customized according to the size and weight of each elephant sculpture. Rubber mats are placed beneath both the bars and ballast. The mats serve the dual purpose of minimizing lateral movement and preventing damage to the ground. Rachet Straps wrap around the ballast and bars to secure ballast to the statue.
2" x 70' ratchet strap with flat hooks
3,333 lb working load limit; 10,000 lb break
strength
1’’x 1”x 6’ square tube bars with ballast weights determined by engineers, based on statue type and local conditions
Exhibtion Fire Risk Management
Elephant Family USA has been working in consultation with Patricia Setter, Deputy State Fire Marshal III for Fire Engineering and Investigations at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Our on-site project managers will undergo Fire Protection Training and obtain Flame-Retardant General Applicator Certifications, if necessary.
• The exhibition will maintain a minimum 10-foot clearance from all fire hydrants and fire department connections, with no obstruction of fire alarm pull stations or emergency equipment.
• No heating elements, open flames, or pyrotechnic effects will be incorporated into the exhibition at any time. • A final fire and life safety inspection will be scheduled with the Beverly Hills Fire Prevention Bureau 24 hours prior to public opening. • All staff will be briefed on Beverly Hills’ specific emergency response protocols during mandatory pre-exhibition orientation. • In accordance with the Beverly Hills Municipal Code Chapter 5 (Fire Regulations), California Fire Code, and Los Angeles County Fire Department requirements for public art installations, the following fire safety measures will be implemented throughout the elephant sculpture exhibition:
• All sculpture locations will maintain a minimum of one fire extinguisher within 75 feet of each installation. • All fire equipment will be inspected and certified by a BHFD-approved vendor prior to installation. • Fire lanes will be maintained at a minimum width of 20 feet throughout the installation areas, with no sculptures or exhibition elements encroaching on designated fire access routes
3 & 4.
Dates and
Location
Proposed dates: 1st July - 1st
August
• The herd would be installed from
the 25th - 29th June with a view
to going live on 1st July. Deinstallation to begin 2nd August.
Proposed Location:
Santa Monica Boulevard
• We envision the 100-strong herd
to be displayed in multiple small
groups of circa 20-30 elephants
along the grass embankments
that flank Santa Monica
Boulveard and, if possible,
within the Beverly Hills Garden
Park.
Proposed Location and herd composition
x 1
x 1
x 1
x 1
x 5
x 1
Proposed Location and herd composition
x 1
x 15
x 13
x 11
x 13
x 9
x 12
x 7
x 5
Location Overview
Load In / Load Out Methods - Trucking
Statues shuttled by 40ft tractor trailer or hot shot trailer. Estimate 13 Truck and Trailers for Beverly Garden Parks Load In / Load Out Methods - telehandler / Forklift
Beverly Hills Gardens Park Trailer Parking Load / Unload • Truck parking will only be used to load and unload sculptures, • We estimate using 13 truck and tailers, working on 1 hour intervals to minimize traffic • We will be working with the Beverly Hills Police Department to conduct best practice traffic lock-ups • Trucks will land in staggered intervals as we push over to the next location
Signage
Prominent signage will be strategically placed to
encourage visitors to engage more deeply with the exhibit.
Crafted from the same material as the elephants - lantana camara - the three-sided billboards and A-frames are
informative and visually cohesive.
Proposal:
• 4 x 3-sided billboards
(each side measuring 65” x 48”)
• 10 x A-frames spread throughout herd
(29” x 19”)
• 100x Plaques
(one for each elephant with elephant name
and number, 8” x 10”)
The three-sided lantana billboards pictured in our exhbition in Newport
5. Overall Budget
The total cost to deliver the migration
has been $2m, covering all the
transportation, installation, logistics, and
staffing costs for all seven locations.
These costs are privately funded through
in-kind partnerships, sponsorships and
major donors.
6. Letters of Support
• The herd attracts visitors from far
and wide, spanning all age groups
and demographics including
conservationists, eco-warriors, art
enthusiasts and families with children,
eager to engage with nature through
this immersive experience.
• We anticipate people travelling from
around the country to visit the elephants
in their final location.
• The following footfall stats were
recorded in Newport, New York City and
Miami Beach during the elephants stay:
7&8. Attendees
and target
Demographic
Newport
July-September 2024
• 550% increase in visitor attendance at Rough Point
compared to a typical July and August.
• 124% increase in visitor numbers to the NRF
Museum.
• 2,000 daily visitors at Salve Regina University.
• 227% increase on Rough Point’s total visitors in
2023.
4m+ visitors attended the three exhibition locations:
Rough Point, The Breakers, and Salve Regina University.
During the elephants’ stay, the following was recorded:
New York
September-October 2024
• 1.6 million additional visitors to the Meatpacking
District compared to the same period in 2023.
• Highest footfall in Meatpacking since records
began with 120,000 visitors in a single day.
• Weekly neighborhood visitation increased by
52% compared to the same period in 2023.
•
Miami Beach
December 2024
• 100,000+ visitors over short two-week
exhibit
• Peak crowds during Thanksgiving and
final weekend.
Throughout the exhibition live period on
Miami Beach, the following was recorded:
9. Public Benefits
1. Economic Value & Regeneration:
• The Great Elephant Migration has proven to increase foot traffic and drive sales for local businesses. In NYC’s Meatpacking District, retailers saw a 20% increase in sales during the exhibition. • In Beverly Hills the exhibition would create a similar economic uplift, benefiting businesses along Rodeo Drive and N Beverly Drive.
2. Cultural Value & Community Identity:
• Beverly Hills is a dynamic cultural hub where local, national, and international artists come to share their artistry. At the same time, the city is actively shaping a sustainable future through initiatives like the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) creating a clear roadmap to meet climate goals and strengthen resilience against environmental challenges. • The Great Elephant Migration embodies this unique fusion of artistic expression and environmental consciousness, reinforcing the identity of Beverly Hills to its residents and in global conversations.
3. Social Value & Placemaking:
• As L.A. faces increasing environmental challenges, the exhibition symbolizes healing and collective action to restore biodiversity and inspire a deeper connection between people and nature.
• It creates a shared moment in time, captured in imagery, and serves as a way for residents to actively support environmental efforts whilst also educating the public on the importance of human-wlildife coexistence. • More than just a visual experience, the exhibition empowers the community to be part of the solution through partnerships with local NGOs like One Earth, turning awareness into meaningful action.
Broader Benefits
Livelihood Generation
Creating India’s biggest sustainable
Indigenous enterprise
For thousands of years, Indigenous communities have
been guardians of the environment. Although they are
only around 6% of the global population, they protect
80% of the biodiversity left on earth.
The creation of the elephant sculptures showcases
the talent and artistry of India, in addition to providing financial stability, status and pride to 200 members
of the Soligas, Bettakurumbas, Kattunayakan
and Paniyas tribes, who coexist with the real wild
elephants the herd is based on.
Already over $1.5m has been collectively earned
from the creation of the sculptures for UK and
Indian markets, making it India’s biggest sustainable
indigenous enterprise.
Ecological Restoration
Invasive Species Removal
Each elephant is made from lantana camara,
one of the world’s top invasive weeds and
a most successful invader in India. This fast
growing, noxious shrub has a stranglehold on
300,000 sq. kilometres of India’s Protected
Areas. For wildlife, it is a silent menace. Lantana
has entangled 40% of India’s tiger reserves and
diminished food sources for herbivores.
Invasive species pose a serious threat to global
biodiversity and are a significant driver in 60%
of plant and animal extinctions. Funds raised
power the large-scale removal of lantana from
India’s forests, freeing up more space for wildlife.
So far, 100 hectares have been cleared between
3 protected areas in South India. Our target is
300 hectares by 2026.
Human Wildlife Coexistence
The Great Elephant Migration supports
remarkable people around the world who have
found ways to live alongside lions, leopards,
elephants, and some of the planet’s most
challenging animals, in their back yards.
Each elephant is paired with a different
conservation NGO from across many different
geographies and species. Each elephant they
are paired with will be created in a limited
edition of x10, allowing for the creation and
sale of up to 1000 elephants and raising a
target fund of $10m.
The exhibit also encourages conservation
groups to incorporate indigenous knowledge
and evolve to be indigenous led.
Carbon Sequestration
The delivery of The Great Elephant
Migration is carbon neutral. It
supports a large-scale initiative
to shred vast areas of invasive
Lantana, the weed the elephants
are made with, from India’s
Protected Areas and convert it into
biochar.
By the end of 2025, we will
have sequestered 2,625 tons of
carbon through this effort. The
total estimated carbon emissions
for the creation, shipping and
transportation of the herd is in the
region of 275 tons. A complete
carbon emission and sequestration
audit will be published at the end of
the migration.
10. Notable Supporters
- The Matriarchy
The Matriarchy is composed of 100 influential
environmentalists, creatives, celebrities, writers,
green business leaders and philanthropists who rally
support for the campaign through their
social media channels.
Each matriarch is twinned to a member of the herd,
with a plaque bearing her name.
Following a successful reception on the East Cast,
members of The Matriarchy will lead the final leg of
The Great Elephant Migration from Jackson Hole,
WY, to Los Angeles in June 2025.
Amy Jackson
IG reach - 13.6m
Padma Lakshmi
IG reach - 1.8m
Dr Jane Goodall
IG reach - 1.3m
Anoushka Shankar
IG reach - 360k
HM Queen Camilla
IG reach - 1.6m
Cher
IG reach - 3m
Kristin Davis
IG reach - 1.4m
Susan Sarandon
IG reach - 1.8m
Kris Tompkins
IG reach - 65k
Wallis Annenberg
IG reach - 100k
Neil Patrick Harris
IG reach - 9m
Carolina Herrera
IG reach - 7.6m
Notable Supporters and The Matriarchy
32 million combined Instagram followers.
Supporters include:
Martha Stewart
IG reach - 5.4m
Joy Crookes
IG reach - 330k
“The Great Elephant Migration project is all about establishing an ancient connection between humanity and the wildlife that surrounds us.”
- Cher
“I am committed to rallying support for The Great Elephant Migration to help increase awareness of conservation issues and raise funds for vital projects to protect our planet and all who call it home. My life-long love of elephants deepened during a visit to Kenya in 2009, when I unexpectedly found myself assisting with the rescue of an orphaned baby elephant, Chaimu. I am delighted that a sculpture of Chaimu will be amongst the herd migrating across America on this magnificent adventure to inspire human-wildlife coexistence.”
- Kristin Davis
“I have always loved elephants and this herd are so special to me, carrying a message of positivity and strength from my motherland, and a call for coexistence between humans and all the living beings that make our world magical. The Great Elephant Migration celebrates the perspectives of so many communities in India, who have at their heart a reverence for the natural world. I stand with the matriarchs them as they lead this joyful trumpet, sent with love from India” - Anoushka Shankar
“I am honored to be included in this exceptional project supporting harmony between humans and nature, with elephants peacefully leading the migration to a better place. Count me in to help in any way that can amplify the message and be a part of the action! Elephants love water and some swim in the sea. I wonder if, after crossing North America, the migration can continue across the Pacific...”
- Dr Sylvia Earle
“Elephants inspire awe and respect: their gentle strength and wisdom is evident to whom ever has had the blessing of meeting them.
I had the honor back in 2004, and have never forgotten that feeling since. But I have fallen more deeply in love with elephants as I learned they are truly a matriarchal group, where grandmothers and mothers play a fundamental role in the survival of the herd.
This resonates with our times deeply. I am so pleased to lend my voice and support to the Great Elephant Migration exhibition, that underlines the importance of our connection between race, and the wildlife that surrounds us to which all we belong.” - Leonor Valera
“I’m very proud to be a
Matriarch of The Great
Elephant Migration.
Audacious and exceptional
voices who incite fierce
protection of wildness not
only around single species but
for all life are lacking around
the world.
Every category we humans
use to communicate with one
another is essential and art
and scale are both powerful
and impossible to ignore.
These giant, beautiful beings
touring the world speak louder
and more profoundly than any
orator or activist can
possibly be.”
Kris Tompkins
17 11 & 12. Publicity
and PR
The Great Elephant Migration in Beverly Hills will
be an open-to-all public exhibition, accessible at
any time without the need for a ticket.
Publicity for the exhibition will be generated and
handled by leading arts PR agency The Cultural
Counsel - https://culturalcounsel.com/
Since launching in July 2024, the migration has
garnered over 500 features across broadcast,
print, and online media.
Media reach to date: 7 billion+
July - December 2024 Media Results
13. Permits
To host this public art exhibition
in Beverly Hills, we require
a Special Event Permit to
facilitate the installation and
public display of the sculptures.
Beverly Hills will advise on what
permits The Great Elephant
Migration need and our team
will arrange.
While some visitors will travel specifically to
see the elephants, the exhibition is designed to
integrate seamlessly into the daily rhythm of Santa
Monica Boulevard, enhancing public spaces
without overwhelming them.
This exhibition offers a unique experience for both
local residents and visitors. Throughout its display,
we anticipate a steady flow of people exploring
the exhibition from the safety of the adjoining
pavements or passing in their cars, bringing a
positive energy to the area.
Santa Monica Boulevard will see an increase
in foot traffic as visitors wander through the
installation, enjoying the opportunity to engage
with these magnificent sculptures.
14. Impact to
the City
Public Parking
The Great Elephant Migration is designed as a pedestrian-oriented, migratory art experience throughout Beverly Hills Garden Park or The Green Spaces off Santa Monica Boulevard. Its walkable design encourages visitors to experience the art on foot, fostering a more intimate connection with the sculptures while minimizing traffic congestion in the surrounding areas.
Public Transit
We strongly encourage visitors to utilize Beverly Hills' accessible public transportation options:
• Metro Purple Line (D Line) - The Wilshire/Rodeo Station provides direct access to Beverly Hills Garden Park. Trains run every 10-15 minutes during peak hours. • Metro Bus Lines 4, 14, 16, and 20 - All service Wilshire Boulevard with stops within walking distance of the exhibition. • Beverly Hills Trolley - The complimentary weekend trolley service runs along Rodeo Drive and connects major city landmarks, stopping directly at Beverly Hills Garden Park.
• City of Beverly Hills DASH Shuttle - Provides convenient connections between major commercial areas and public parking facilities throughout Beverly Hills.
For visitors who must drive, we recommend the following parking facilities:
• Beverly Gardens Park Adjacent Lot 450 N. Crescent Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 Capacity: 150 spaces, Hourly rate: $2-4/hour • Beverly Hills Civic Center Parking Structure 455 N. Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 Capacity: 550 spaces, Hourly rate: $1-3/hour • Camden Drive Municipal Parking Structure 438 N. Camden Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 Capacity: 300 spaces, Hourly rate: $2-4/hour, Daily maximum: $18 • Bedford Drive Municipal Parking Structure 461 N. Bedford Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 Capacity: 370 spaces, Hourly rate: $2-4/hour • Brighton Way Municipal Parking Structure 333 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 Capacity: 420 spaces, Hourly rate: $2-5/hour Additional Transportation Accommodations:
• Rideshare Designated Drop-Off/Pick-Up Zones have been established at the north and south entrances of Beverly Hills Garden Park to facilitate safe passenger loading without disrupting traffic flow.
• Bicycle Parking will be available at designated racks throughout the exhibition area. We encourage eco-friendly transportation options. • ADA Accessible Parking spaces are available at all recommended parking facilities with direct, barrier-free routes to the exhibition.
15. Our
Commitment •
Our Commitment to You:
• Free transportation of the herd to and
from Beverly Hills.
• Free installation and de-installation,
including all necessary equipment.
• Zero rental charges for the exhibition
space.
• Safeguarding of the herd. Working
with a local security firm to secure
nightly roaming security guards from
6pm - 8pm during the exhibition.
Ruth Ganesh
Trustee, Elephant Family USA
CoFounder, The Great Elephant Migration
[email protected]
+44 7557 385 509