Las Vegas is set to experience a unique event on the Strip with a caravan of elephants, though not the kind one might expect. Instead of live animals, 25 pickup trucks will each carry a meticulously crafted elephant statue made from lantana camara, an invasive plant species. This creative initiative is part of the Great Elephant Migration, a project that began in Newport, Rhode Island, and has traveled across the country to raise funds for Indigenous Indian artists and conservation efforts.
The statues, crafted by the Real Elephant Collective, a group of 200 Indian artists, are priced between $8,000 and $22,000. The project not only supports the artists but also aims to remove lantana camara from Indian forests, thus protecting native ecosystems. The convoy will make a brief stop on the Las Vegas Strip, offering a rare photo opportunity and receiving the symbolic “Key to the Strip” before continuing its journey to its final destination in Los Angeles.
This initiative highlights the intersection of art, conservation, and community empowerment, using creativity to address environmental challenges while supporting cultural and ecological projects.