America welcomes Mosha and an Elephant Parade
Mellowphant by Oliver Benjamin (Shirley Smith)
An Elephant Parade Exhibition takes place in Dana Point until Nov.17, showcasing dozens of hand-painted, life-sized elephant sculptures in support of Mosha, the first elephant to receive a prosthetic after stepping on an Asian land mind.
“Mosha represents the elephant population that is on the verge of extinction,” said Dana Alan Yarger, ambassador of The Elephant Parade.
Yarger was recently interviewed on KSBR, 88.5 FM, Saddleback College’s public radio stationand in the interview he mentioned how the non-profit organization started with a baby elephant who was fortunate enough to receive a prosthetic after stepping on a Asian land mind and survived.
This sparked an idea that would involve many popular artists and celebrities to contribute to a cause that would go toward helping elephants like Mosha and also prevent the extinction of the large creature at hand. These elephants are displayed and will be auctioned off in November. Names like Tommy Hilfiger and Kim Kardashian are some, to name a few.
“If we can’t save a big creature such as an elephant, then how can we save a little organism the size of plankton that is so crucial in this world,” Yarger said.
Yarger believes that people need to first prove to they can save a big creature that was abundant to our world. He also believes that raising money through the Elephant Parade will bring our global world together because it is a world-based foundation.
“E is for elephant and everything essential to saving the environment,” Yarger said. “Children should see an E and remember that it’s important to protect the environment and animals that live on the earth.”
The events of the Elephant Parade are as follows:
- Exhibition Period – each elephant will be displayed throughout various parks, local beaches, Dana Point Harbor and within the resorts in Dana Point.
- Closing Ceremonies: November 10-17 at Lantern Bay Park. This free event brings the collective herd back together to give locals one last look before the elephants go to auction.
- Grand Auction: Sunday, Nov. 17 at Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa.Select elephants will be auctioned to raise money for the Asian elephant Foundation.