A lifetime of travel imbued Elephant Family's founder, Mark Shand, with a love of adventure and a commitment to saving endangered animals.

In his own words Mark "fell in love" with a female elephant named Tara in the dark one night outside Madras. He bought Tara and rode thousands of kilometres across the north eastern states of India, a journey that in 2002 fired his determination to start Elephant Family, a charity dedicated to protecting Tara.

Influenced by its founders sense of adventure and love of all things curious, Elephant Family has since put the plight of this magnificent animal on the map in the most creative way possible, and raised millions for its protection.

Last year's Elephant Parade London saw a herd of 260 brightly painted elephants (designed by famous artists and fashion designers) push their way into London life, taking up residence in the neighbourhoods and landmarks of the UK's capital. The exhibition reached an audience of 25 million and grossed £4.1 million at auction – breaking all records!

In Summer 2011 Elephant Family piloted Jungle City, a global campaign which will be taken to the major cities of the world with the potential to raise many millions over the next ten years.

The aim is to bring this campaign to New York City in 2013 with Arts for India as Elephant Family's partner charity. This will be New York's largest public art campaign with 500 animals spread across Manhatten in the Spring of 2013.

www.elephantfamily.org
www.jungle-city.org