Don't worry, there hasn't been a break-out from London Zoo.* These 20 baby elephants, and one mother elephant, camped out on Marble Arch Lawn are a sculpture installation, creating awareness of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
The life-sized bronze sculptures — collectively titled The Elephants of Tomorrow — are the work of artists Gillie and Marc, who use their talents to 'spread messages of love, equality, and conservation around the world'.
Each sculpture is based on an actual orphaned elephant, cared for by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. They include Enkesha, who nearly lost her trunk in a poacher’s snare; and Jotto, found stuck in a well during the hottest month of the year.
In all, the charity is currently caring for 90 orphaned elephants from East Africa, alongside giraffes and rhinos.
It's hoped the Elephants of Tomorrow installation will encourage more people to donate to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, and adopt animal orphans.
The herd of bronze elephants will be in Marble Arch until December 2020.
*Pedants' note: we're aware that London Zoo doesn't have any elephants.
Images © Copyright The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust/Freya Dowson
