Buy an Elephant
The creation of the elephants provides sustainable employment for indigenous communities in Tamil Nadu. Currently, 200 members of the Soliga, Bettakurumba, Paniya and Kattunayakan tribes form The Real Elephant Collective, a community social enterprise. In addition, sculpture sales support global conservation efforts, with proceeds benefitting 21 NGOs working in the US and around the world.
The lantana elephants come in four sizes and make themselves at home in gardens, business frontages, estates and schools. Each member of the herd is crafted with utmost care, using dried Lantana camara meticulously wrapped around a sturdy steel rebar frame, and finished with a protective Tung Oil coating to ensure outdoor durability and beauty. Each elephant you welcome into your family comes with a detailed care-guide and will be installed by our experienced logistics partner, IBI Fine Art International Logistics.
Explore the available elephants available for order and pre-order below. If elephants aren't currently available for delivery in your state, please sign up to our mailing list at the bottom of this page so we can keep you updated with future Elephant Drops.
Commonly asked questions about homing an elephant
How do I care for my elephant?
During the adverse weather of the autumn and winter months, we recommend temporarily storing the elephants inside if you have a suitable outhouse, barn or other covered area. If you don’t have an elephant-sized space available inside, the elephants are also happy underneath a terrace or a shady tree to help protect them from the worst of the snow, frost and rain.
The smaller calf sculptures can be moved by two people, so we suggest relocating them to a covered area during the winter months, if possible.
If moving your elephant is not possible, you can protect your elephant using a temporary cover. We recommend loosely draping a sheet of tarpaulin over the sculpture, ensuring it covers the entire sculpture from head to toe.
It’s crucial that your elephant is completely dry before applying the cover and that, once dressed, your elephant is still able to breathe! Any trapped moisture can be harmful to the lantana over time. Once the adverse weather has passed, remove the cover and allow the sculpture to fully dry.
Spring & Summer
The calm sunny climes of spring and summer are the best times to re-varnish the elephants to ensure the lantana stays healthy. We recommend cleaning and applying 2-3 coats of Exterior Polymerized Tung Oil to each elephant at the start of spring and at the end of summer.
how are elephants delivered?
Delivery and installation is handled by our experienced logistcis partner, IBI Logistics, who will transport your elephant/s to your desired location. Before delivery, a member of our team will reach out to discuss details about your chosen placement area. We’ll ask about terrain, access points, and any potential obstacles, like hedges or steps, to determine the most suitable installation method.
Depending on the size and placement of your elephant sculpture(s), IBI will come equipped with a range of vehicles and tools, including HGVs, forklifts, ground anchors, and stabilizing bars, to ensure a secure and safe setup.Due to the logistical complexities of our migration, all deliveries and installation services will be made exclusively by our logistics partner, IBI Logistics. The use of alternative logistics companies to deliver any GEM elephant during exhibition dates is not possible.
Can my elephant live outdoors?
The elephants will look their most majestic when displayed outside in the wilds of your garden and are designed to withstand all climates, with the right care. As with any organic material, the elephants are vulnerable to harsh conditions and will evolve and change colour over the years, like spring turning to autumn. To maintain their magnificence for many years to come, we encourage you to follow the instructions in the care guide we provide.
When will more elephants be available?
Each member of the herd is lovingly crafted with unique skill and care, reflecting the heart and soul of the indigenous artisans who make them. Thanks to phenomenal demand, we are now supporting them in scaling up production, in a way that’s thoughtful and sustainable, ensuring every elephant continues to be made to the highest standard.
We will be releasing Elephant Drops for delivery in different areas as each new batch of mighty elephants are ready for release. When they go live on the website, the elephants will be available on a first come basis given their limited number.
To stay up-to-date on all new releases, please register via the form below.
what is the lifespan of the elephants?
As with any organic material, the sculptures will evolve and change colour over the years, like spring turning to autumn. If the sculptures are cared for according to our recommended care instructions, the elephants can last decades if kept outside and forever if kept inside.
How much is delivery and is installation included?
Delivery of costs cover shipping from India, transportation in the US and a full white glove installation. Costs vary depending on elephant size and location but start from $1,600 for a calf, $2,800 for an adolescent, $3,600 for a matriarch and $4,400 for a mighty tusker.
Is my purchase considered a charitable donation?
Yes, partially. The cost of each elephant sculpture is divided into two parts: 50% covers the sculpture itself, while the remaining 50% is considered a charitable donation. This donation portion can be paid through a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) or similar charitable giving methods. The invoice we issue will clearly outline this division for your records.
How do I prepare for my elephant's arrival?
That’s entirely up to you! If you already have the perfect spot ready for your elephant/s to roam, then no additional preparation is needed. However, if you'd like to clear a space in your garden or create a custom setup for your new elephant family, please make sure it's ready by the delivery window provided at purchase. If the space isn’t quite ready when your elephant is scheduled to arrive, we can arrange temporary storage, though please note that this may incur an additional cost.