A hundred elephants assembled on The Commonwealth Ave Mall are bringing a bit of whimsy to Boston’s Emerald Necklace.
The biggest surprise is that you can walk right up and touch them, although climbing is discouraged. They are a wonder.
It’s a moving work of performance art from The Great Elephant Migration to raise awareness of human wildlife coexistence.
In addition, the creation of these elephant sculptures brings financial stability, recognition and pride to 300 members of the Soliga, Bettakurumba, Kattunayakan and Paniya tribes, who live alongside the wild elephants that inspired each sculpture, most of which have names.
Each elephant is made from Lantana camara, the second most widespread invasive species in the world. This fast growing shrub has taken over 40% of forests in India, obliterating native plants and diminishing food sources for animals, pushing them out of forests and into urban areas.
Since the summer of 2024, the herd has traveled to England; India; Newport, Rhode Island; New York City; Miami Beach; Houston; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; the Blackfeet Nation in Montana; and Beverly Hills. The 2026 tour is beginning in Boston before continuing to Washington, DC, Las Vegas, and then Rome.