Mark Shand was an English travel writer, adventurer and conservationist who dedicated his life to the endangered Asian elephant. His mission began in 1988 with an elephant named Tara — a journey that inspired Travels on My Elephant and led to the co‑founding of the NGO Elephant Family.

Working with Lord Robin Russell, Caroline Casey, and Ruth Ganesh, he collaborated with designers, artists and sculptors to create large‑scale public art exhibitions that brought global attention and funding to conservation efforts on the ground.  His commitment helped place the plight of the Asian elephant firmly on the world’s map, illuminating both their vulnerability and their profound capacity for connection.

The Great Elephant Migration is dedicated to Mark Shand. May his legacy endure in the movement he helped spark — a global call for empathy and coexistence with one of the world’s most ancient relatives.