The Orphans, a sculptural installation of 21 life-size bronze elephants, was unveiled at Marble Arch on 4 December.
Twenty elephant calf sculptures are modeled after real orphaned baby elephants currently in the care of Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Each sculpture includes the name of the orphaned calf they represent and their sad backstory. One mother elephant sits in the middle of the herd.
Left behind by poachers, victims to habitat loss, climate change and other sources of human-wildlife conflict, these orphaned animals are being looked after and raised by the Trust in Africa.
Created by internationally acclaimed artists Gillie and Marc, the sculpture aims to raise funds and awareness for this next generation of elephants.
The Orphans was unveiled by the artists and local school children from Hampden Gurney School with conservationists Stanley Johnson and Zac Goldsmith and representatives of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in attendance.
The artists, Gillie and Marc, both passionate wildlife conservationists, urged people to support the cause by visiting the sculpture and sharing photos using #elephantsoftomorrow and to use the QR codes on each elephant to find out about sponsoring their real life counterpart or donating to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
The Orphans are on Marble Arch Law for one year and free to visit, find out more.
When you visit the Elephants, don’t forget to check out The Story of Marble Arch in the Pedestrian Subway to the station.
Find out about other public art and sculpture around the Marble Arch Area on our Culture Blog.
