Nottingham gets ready to welcome a parade of elephants!

It's not often that you see an elephant in Nottingham - so commuters and shoppers may have had a bit of a surprise if they spotted one next to some of the city's landmarks including our Tourism Centre. The green painted elephant has been created by artist Ratchakrit Wichaivo and is part of the Elephant Parade exhibition which will come to Nottingham's intu Broadmarsh and intu Victoria Centre on 6th January. Not only that but one of the elephants will also be paying a visit to the Tourism Centre which is the only venue to receive a visit apart from the shopping centres. Elephant Parade, the world’s largest open air art exhibition of decorated elephant statues that seeks to raise public awareness and support for Asian elephant conservation, will make its first visit to Nottingham after a series of hugely popular public art shows in London, Singapore, Milan, Copenhagen, Rotterdam and Amsterdam. On Thursday, ‘Elephants Communicating’ began his journey in Old Market Square, stopping outside the Tourism Centre, before moving to the Robin Hood statue, the Theatre Royal and Nottingham Playhouse. Wollaton Hall, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem pub and Trent Bridge also received a visit from the elephant. Heidi Barlow, from intu Broadmarsh, said: “Elephants Communicating is just one of 30 large elephants that will be descending on the city in the New Year along with six smaller additions to the herd which have been designed by pupils from Nottingham Academy, St John’s Primary School and West Bridgford School as well as an extra one designed by Nottingham Trent University.” Liz Sewell, from intu Victoria Centre, added: “We can’t wait for the Elephant Parade to arrive in our centres at the beginning of January and it was brilliant to be able to give the people of Nottingham a sneak preview of what they can expect.” Official sponsor of the tour, intu has worked with organisers of the Elephant Parade to bring the vibrant and colourful elephant statues to the city in support of The Asian Elephant Foundation. The statues will be visiting 14 intu centres across the country. Elephant Parade is a social enterprise which combines art, business and conservation. The Asian Elephant Foundation auction and sell the statues to raise funds to support for various elephant conservation projects. For further information visit the intu Elephant Parade website.