A Herd with a Message

Created by internationally acclaimed artists Gillie and Marc, the Herd of Hope is a family of 21 life-sized bronze sculptures migrating across London to raise awareness for their wild counterparts.

From Sunday 10th to Sunday 17th August 2025, these majestic elephants will take over Brushfield Street in the heart of Spitalfields, lining up to transform the historic thoroughfare into an open-air celebration of elephant conservation and coexistence.

Each sculpture tells a true story — representing an orphaned elephant rescued and raised through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Orphans’ Project. With a simple scan of the QR code on each sculpture, visitors can discover the remarkable journey of survival, care, and rewilding behind every bronze figure.

As you walk beside the herd, follow the trail of footprints and reflect on the real-life challenges elephants face today — from habitat loss to ivory poaching and human-wildlife conflict. Every step taken is a symbol of the action needed to protect these incredible animals and the wild spaces they call home.

Event Highlights

• Visit the Herd of Hope on Brushfield Street where you can meet our entire family of bronze elephants. Take a photo with the herd and tag @sheldricktrust when you share it on social media

• Follow the footprints, complete our quiz, and take a selfie at our immersive elephant stable photo zone for your chance to win fantastic prizes

• Stop by our pop-up store at 30a Spital Square, E1 to find elephant-inspired gifts, Kenyan-made items, and a boutique corner by luxury lifestyle brand Elizabeth Scarlett

• Watch SWT films — including a new film for World Elephant Day — on the big screen at Bishops Square and digital information boards throughout Spitalfields Market

• Enjoy face-painting on Sunday 10th August and Tuesday 12th August from 11am to 3pm

• Join our drop-in clay elephant modelling sessions, led by Art Play, from 2pm – 4pm on Tuesday 12th August and Saturday 16th August – all ages welcome

• Grown-ups can unleash their inner artist with a guided ‘Sip and Paint’ workshop at Art Play’s studio and bar, Thursday 14th August at 7pm, and Saturday 16th at 4pm – Book your spot here (proceeds to our elephant protection projects)

Join the movement

• From 10th – 17th August, find our bronze elephant herd on Brushfield Street, London, E1 6AT
• Follow the elephant footprints to visit our pop-up at 30a Spital Square, E1 6DX where you can shop to support our projects.
• Snap, share, and spread the word. Use the hashtag #EveryStepMatters and tag @SheldrickTrust and our sponsors @Spitalfieldse1 and @Elizabethscarlett so we can enjoy your photos and celebrate all things elephant

If you can’t make it to London, you can still take action for elephants from wherever you are in the world:
• Make a donation in honour of World Elephant Day
• Join our foster family, by adopting an orphan for yourself or a loved one, and help them on their journey back to the wild
• Subscribe to our updates to stay connected with our work