Visit our Herd of Hope
Our Herd of Hope is a family of 21 life-sized bronze elephants embarking on the journey of a lifetime as they migrate across London. Leading the herd is our matriarch, symbolic of the mother and family each of the infant elephants, in the care of the Sheldrick Trust, lost when they became orphaned. She represents our Keepers, our team and you, our wider family who help to give these elephants a second chance at life.
Each smaller elephant represents our real-life herd, from brave Enkesha through to big-hearted Ndotto. Despite the many life-threatening difficulties that they have faced, including poaching, human-wildlife conflict and natural disaster, we have helped them survive and thrive, and the compassion, caring and joyful nature of these individuals is an inspiration to us. In honour of each of our orphans and their individual stories, we are privileged to share these sculptures with you so that even if you can’t visit us in East Africa, you have another opportunity to join our herd.
Created by internationally acclaimed artists Gillie and Marc, the sculptures aim to raise funds and awareness for this next generation of elephants who will grow up into the healthy, supported and loved elephants of tomorrow thanks to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and our supporters.
The Herd of Hope will be residents of Spitalfields Market until early 2023. Walk among our 21 life-sized bronze elephants and get to know the real-life orphans that have inspired this installation. There are 20 orphan elephants in total, each featuring the name of the elephant they symbolise along with a scannable QR code allowing you to watch their rescue videos and directly support their rehabilitation journey.
Unable to visit? We know that during the COVID-19 crisis, not everyone will be able to physically visit our herd so we have created a virtual walkthrough tour so that you can join the calves on their journey from the comfort of your own home!
Without action, wild elephants could become extinct within our lifetime due to poaching, human-wildlife conflict and climate change. With your support, we’re saving their orphaned young and forging a future for the species. Every donation, small and large, will help us achieve our goal of protecting and conserving these beautiful creatures for decades to come.
Donate hereGillie and Marc have created 25 limited edition miniature bronzes of each the orphan elephants represented in the life-size London installation. For every purchase, 50% of the proceeds will be donated to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to further our work in the rescue, hand-raising and reintegration of elephants in Kenya. They have also produced a collection of Resin Sculptures, in a range of styles and colours, with each sale generating a further 50% of proceeds to support our work to protect elephants and their habitats.
Enkesha nearly lost her trunk in a poacher’s snare. Emergency veterinary treatment saved her trunk and her life and she’s now being cared for at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Nairobi Nursery.
View ProfileAn orphan of human wildlife conflict, Mbegu was severely injured after she was attacked by humans. Thriving in the Trust’s care, she is a deeply maternal and loves to mollycoddle the younger orphans.
View ProfilePoaching and human-wildlife conflict claims the lives of up to 55 elephants a day. Gillie and Marc choose to colour the tusks of our elephant mother blue to draw attention to all the issues of elephant endangerment and to make people reconsider what tusks are now and what they will be in the future.