Last week with some family and friends, we enjoyed an afternoon picnic amongst our herd ‘The Crop Raiders’ in St James’s Park. Supporting our ongoing charity partner Elephant Family with their CoExistence campaign.
The sun shone, the wine flowed and the children played amongst the elephant sculptures. The exhibition highlighted the importance of educating ourselves and our future generations about the importance of human and wildlife coexistence. Teaching the younger generations is something we take great pride in. With every Love Brand product and print comes a story. A story to inspire and educate people about the plight of some endangered species as well as bring to the forefront some inspiring stories and initiatives. Hopefully helping to ensure that future generations think about wildlife will aid the chance to grow up with them as we have done.
Standing in the middle of Green Park surrounded by the CoExistence herd is something to behold. The hairs on my body stood up and it was very emotional. You have to go to feel it…. looking at something so powerful and immense. They are almost real. Elephants are particularly special to Oliver and me and knowing their struggle and persecution in the wild and then seeing it highlighted in such a way is awe-inspiring.
A mother stood with her little boy whilst we were talking with Ruth Ganesh (the brains behind the CoExistence campaign) beside a group of elephants and I noticed how she spoke with him. She explained about elephants and what they represented to her. She also spoke to him about what the campaign aimed to achieve in promoting coexistence with wildlife and in particular these magnificent creatures.
I smiled as I listened, thinking how brilliant that this migration of handcrafted Lantana weed elephants has ignited a passion for elephants in the public and a willingness to share knowledge and compassion with their children, the next generation. This to me is truly the way we reverse the damage being done. By teaching the young and hoping they treat the planet and the amazing creatures we share it with, with more care and respect. After 10 years of working alongside the incredible Elephant Family, we couldn’t be prouder. What a huge huge achievement for them and for the elephants!
– Rose Tomalin, Co-Founder.
‘Every year without fail LOVE BRAND & Co. have been there for the last remaining wild elephants of Asia.’ – Ruth Ganesh patron and former CEO of Elephant Family
Each elephant is based on a real one in the wild that has been meticulously studied and photographed to create a true representation as a sculpture. Our own herd, ‘The Crop Raiders’, represent a group of elephants living in the Nilgiri Hills of Southern India. They also represent the issues found when elephants encroach on crops and farmland and (not purposefully) damage livelihoods and land being used to feed villages. The Elephant family not only works with the wildlife but also with communities. The solution involves compromise and work to ensure elephants and humans can co-exist alongside one another harmoniously.
Oliver and Rose visited India a few years ago to see the communities being worked with and were amazed at the willingness to adapt. The work that The Elephant Family has done over the years and continues to do changes lives. Not only human ones for the better but wild ones too! The brand has since been back and found a cause they now hold close to their hearts and that is now close to the hearts of the CoExistence campaign.
CoExistence is a joint project between Elephant Family and The Real Elephant Collective and the funds raised from the sales of the sculptures will support innovative solutions to the growing conflict between humans and wildlife. Help support them today by visiting.
All of the incredible elephants are for sale and there aren’t many left. It is a lifetime investment and something to share with your family for generations to ensure a better future for wildlife.
With thanks to Fortnum and Mason for the delicious food, Perrier Jouet for the bubbles and Koisi for the prettiest picnic blankets and napkins in town!
