Miami Beach, FL - An art installation featuring 100 life-sized Indian elephant sculptures has taken over the sands of Miami Beach, aiming to raise awareness about the decline in global wildlife populations.
This exhibit, known as "The Great Elephant Migration," is part of Miami Art Week and is presented by Elephant Family USA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting Asian wildlife.
Each sculpture is handcrafted by a community of 200 Indigenous artisans from India's Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
The artisans utilize Lantana camara, an invasive weed that threatens local ecosystems, to create the detailed sculptures.
This process not only showcases their craftsmanship but also contributes to environmental restoration by removing the harmful plant from protected areas, providing more space for wildlife to thrive.
The installation arrives to Miami Beach as the World Wildlife Fund's 2024 Living Planet Report reveals a 73% decline in the average size of monitored wildlife populations between 1970 and 2020.
Freshwater species have been disproportionately affected, experiencing an 85% decline during this period.
The primary drivers of this decline include habitat loss and degradation, overexploitation, invasive species, pollution, and climate change.
Latin America and the Caribbean have suffered the most significant losses, with an average decline of 95% in wildlife populations.
Visitors can view the sculptures during Miami Art Week, with the official exhibition running from December 2nd to December 8th.
A preview period began on November 24th, though access and photography opportunities may be limited during this time.