Four life-size sculptures of elephants can be found on the Orchard Room Meadow, close to the entrance of the Orchard Room. These sculptures, modelled after wild elephants in India, are a source of celebration and contemplation as part of the CoExistence campaign launched in 2021 as a collaboration between The Real Elephant Collective and Elephant Family, with joint presidents Their Majesties The King Charles III and The Queen Camilla.
This adopted family of four life-sized elephants includes an adult male named Bamboo Bomman, who commands a powerful presence. Kamala, an adult female, radiates beauty and grace with her Sanskrit name, meaning “lotus.” The two young female calves, Padosee, meaning “neighbour” in Hindi, and Mallika (a variety of jasmine flower), bring youthful energy and curiosity to the group.
As we embark on the third year of their permanent residency at Highgrove, the Orchard Room Meadow provides a breathtaking backdrop for these magnificent creatures. The statues appear almost lifelike, with tufts of grass growing around their legs and trees providing natural shade. It’s a mesmerising scene that captures the essence of these awe-inspiring animals.
The majestic elephants, crafted as part of the CoExistence environmental art campaign, have been making waves in the world of art and conservation since their launch in May 2021. Elephant Family, the driving force behind this environmental movement, created 110 life-sized elephant sculptures that travelled through London’s royal parks throughout the summer of 2021.
The outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic initially delayed the plans for this migration campaign, and the artwork was temporarily stored in a barn on the Cotswolds farm of Ruth Ganesh, the principal trustee of Elephant Family. Despite the setback, the then Duchess of Cornwall devised a brilliant idea to support the cause by establishing an elephant adoption agency that placed sculptures with her elephant-loving friends for the winter.
As a result, a family of four elephants found a new home at Highgrove Gardens in 2020, before the campaign officially launched in the summer of 2021. With their intricate designs and vibrant colours, these magnificent sculptures serve as a powerful symbol of the need for conservation efforts to protect these gentle giants and their habitat.
The non-profit Elephant Family and the not-for-profit socio-environmental enterprise The Real Elephant Collective are the creators behind this joint campaign. It aims to raise funds for innovative solutions to the growing conflict between humans and wildlife. With human populations expanding and natural habitats shrinking, the competition for food and space has intensified, resulting in the unfortunate deaths of an elephant and a person every day on average in India alone.
Their Majesties The King Charles III and The Queen Camilla are the joint presidents of Elephant Family, a charity dedicated to preserving endangered Asian wildlife. The Queen’s late brother, Mark Shand, founded the charity in 2002. Their campaign involvement highlights the cause’s significance and the need for immediate action.
Guests visiting Highgrove for Garden Tours or Events will have the opportunity to see elephants residing permanently on the Orchard Room Meadow, located next to the guest car park. This area of the gardens is open to photography, allowing guests to capture a unique memento of the gardens and this important cause.
Don’t forget to keep an eye out for the upcoming 2024 Garden Tours, where you can witness the elephants on the Orchard Room Meadow.
The sale of Highgrove Products, Garden Tours and Events support and enable the life and work of The King’s Foundation.
