The Animals Came In Two By Two

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Elephant parade comes to Westfield

Over 250 brightly painted life-size elephants have taken up position all over central London as part of the summer 'Elephant Parade' - and four have made their way over to Westfield in Shepherd's Bush.

Elephant Parade is a conservation campaign that shines a multi-coloured spotlight on the urgent crisis faced by the endangered Asian elephant.

Each elephant is decorated by a different artist or celebrity and all are for sale by auction.

At Westfield, you can look out for Saffron, the cheese and mice elephant designed by Ellen Stewart and Love Ellie, the elephant designed by Andrew Logan. The other Westfield elephants are designed by Sandra Shashou, Matt McCann and Jake Scott.

The Parade, which runs from May to July 2010, is said to be London’s biggest outdoor art event on record and aims to raise £2 million for the Asian elephant and benefit 20 UK conservation charities.

According to Elephant Family, the charity behind the London event, the Asian elephant is on the brink of extinction due to massive habitat loss. In the past 100 years, the Asian elephant population has declined by 90% and in another 30 years, it could easily vanish altogether, the charity says.

Elephant Family says Elephant Parade London is a colourful way of drawing attention to the plight of the Asian elephant and gaining support for the charity's campaign to make governments act before it is too late.

May 9, 2010