At the end of the "parade," the elephants are auctioned with proceeds to the Elephant Family, an international NGO.
While traveling through Burbank, California, someone might expect to find a pachyderm at the Safari Inn or Black Elephant Coffee, but through August 31 visitors will be able to find 25 hand-painted elephants throughout the city.
The “Elephant Parade” is dedicated to saving the Asian elephant from extinction. Marc and Mike Spits created the event in Thailand after visiting an elephant hospital that constructs prosthetic legs for elephants who encounter land mines. The first Elephant Parade was held in Rotterdam in 2007. Host cities such as Burbank help increase public awareness of the plight of elephants and gain support for Asian elephant conservation.
An elephant called “Gentle Guardian” by Johanna Enriquez at the Hotel Burbank in Burbank, CA, on Monday, July 1, 2024. The art elephant one of 25 art elephants on display throughout Burbank as part of an “Elephant Parade” to raise awareness and help save the Asian elephant. The elephants will be on display through Aug. 31. A map and guide to the elephants can by found at: www.elephantparade.com/parades/burbank (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
An elephant called “Garlands” by Chris Chun outside of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream in Burbank, CA, on Monday, July 1, 2024. The art elephant one of 25 art elephants on display throughout Burbank as part of an “Elephant Parade” to raise awareness and help save the Asian elephant. The elephants will be on display through Aug. 31. A map and guide to the elephants can by found at: www.elephantparade.com/parades/burbank (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Two elephants walk outside of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream in Burbank, CA, on Monday, July 1, 2024. The art elephant one of 25 art elephants on display throughout Burbank as part of an “Elephant Parade” to raise awareness and help save the Asian elephant. The elephants will be on display through Aug. 31. A map and guide to the elephants can by found at: www.elephantparade.com/parades/burbank (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lily Tomlin takes a call on this elephant called “Is Anybody Listening by Lily Tomlin and Erin Boyle at the Cambria Hotel in Burbank, CA, on Monday, July 1, 2024. The art elephant one of 25 art elephants on display throughout Burbank as part of an “Elephant Parade” to raise awareness and help save the Asian elephant. The elephants will be on display through Aug. 31. A map and guide to the elephants can by found at: www.elephantparade.com/parades/burbank (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
An elephant called “Super Heavyweight” by Tony Castillo outside of the Tangerine Hotel in Burbank, CA, on Monday, July 1, 2024. The art elephant one of 25 art elephants on display throughout Burbank as part of an “Elephant Parade” to raise awareness and help save the Asian elephant. The elephants will be on display through Aug. 31. A map and guide to the elephants can by found at: www.elephantparade.com/parades/burbank (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
An elephant called, “Ms Davis” by Kayla Carlson highlights Burbank at the UME Credit Union in Burbank, CA, on Monday, July 1, 2024. The art elephant one of 25 art elephants on display throughout Burbank as part of an “Elephant Parade” to raise awareness and help save the Asian elephant. The elephants will be on display through Aug. 31. A map and guide to the elephants can by found at: www.elephantparade.com/parades/burbank (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
An elephant called, “Ms Davis” by Kayla Carlson highlights Burbank at the UME Credit Union in Burbank, CA, on Monday, July 1, 2024. The art elephant one of 25 art elephants on display throughout Burbank as part of an “Elephant Parade” to raise awareness and help save the Asian elephant. The elephants will be on display through Aug. 31. A map and guide to the elephants can by found at: www.elephantparade.com/parades/burbank (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
An elephant called “Jasmine” by Khloe Kardashian at the Burbank Town Center in Burbank, CA, on Monday, July 1, 2024. The art elephant one of 25 art elephants on display throughout Burbank as part of an “Elephant Parade” to raise awareness and help save the Asian elephant. The elephants will be on display through Aug. 31. A map and guide to the elephants can by found at: www.elephantparade.com/parades/burbank (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
An elephant called “Mahua” by Chariya Bissonnette near Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream in Burbank, CA, on Monday, July 1, 2024. The art elephant one of 25 art elephants on display throughout Burbank as part of an “Elephant Parade” to raise awareness and help save the Asian elephant. The elephants will be on display through Aug. 31. A map and guide to the elephants can by found at: www.elephantparade.com/parades/burbank (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
An elephant passes through the Safari Inn in Burbank, CA, on Monday, July 1, 2024. The art elephant one of 25 art elephants on display throughout Burbank as part of an “Elephant Parade” to raise awareness and help save the Asian elephant. The elephants will be on display through Aug. 31. A map and guide to the elephants can by found at: www.elephantparade.com/parades/burbank (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
An elephant called, “Trunks” by Katy Perry at the AMC Theaters in Burbank, CA, on Monday, July 1, 2024. The art elephant one of 25 art elephants on display throughout Burbank as part of an “Elephant Parade” to raise awareness and help save the Asian elephant. The elephants will be on display through Aug. 31. A map and guide to the elephants can by found at: www.elephantparade.com/parades/burbank (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A pair of elephants greet visitors to the Burbank Town Center in Burbank, CA, on Monday, July 1, 2024. The art elephant one of 25 art elephants on display throughout Burbank as part of an “Elephant Parade” to raise awareness and help save the Asian elephant. The elephants will be on display through Aug. 31. A map and guide to the elephants can by found at: www.elephantparade.com/parades/burbank (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Betty Boop gets a custom ride on this elephant at Black Elephant Coffee in Burbank, CA, on Monday, July 1, 2024. The art elephant one of 25 art elephants on display throughout Burbank as part of an “Elephant Parade” to raise awareness and help save the Asian elephant. The elephants will be on display through Aug. 31. A map and guide to the elephants can by found at: www.elephantparade.com/parades/burbank (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Each hand-painted elephant, created by celebrities and artists, including Khloe Kardashian, Chariya Bissonnette, Lily Tomlin, and Katy Perry, is placed in a high-traffic area throughout Burbank. At the end of the “parade,” the elephants are auctioned off with proceeds going to the Elephant Family organization, an international NGO dedicated to protecting the Asian elephant from extinction.
They are considered endangered and live in fragmented pockets of Asia.
If you plan to go: A map and description of each elephant can be found at: https://www.elephantparade.com/parades/burbank
