Trumpet-ing a cause, Emeralds for Elephants

Every year, an Elephant Parade in London presents a display of larger-than-life artistic fibreglass elephants to draw attention toward the plight of the Asian elephant. And recently, in an
‘Emeralds for Elephants’ show, one of the most valuable elephants in the parade was auctioned for £150,000 to raise funds for the World Land Trust and Wildlife Trust of India who are supporting the tuskers.

The event was attended by actor Lily Cole, cricketer Yuvraj Singh, Lalit and Minal Modi, designer Maheka Mirpuri and more.

The said piece — Emerald Queen — featured a Gemfields 678ct emerald. In addition, eight unique pieces of emerald jewellery raised an additional £517,000 at the auction.

Lily says, “I think it is so important that as we, the human race, continue to grow, develop and expand we take into consideration our responsibility to share the planet with other animals and their right to space to live and grow in too, even if they cannot articulate or fight for it themselves,” she said. Yuvraj adds, “It’s the elephants that are the real jewels of India and one must save them.”

Mark Shand, founding trustee of Elephant Family, says,” Elephant Parade is a completely green project; it shines a multi-coloured spotlight on the urgent crisis facing this majestic animal.”