In a monumental effort to save the Asian elephants from extinction, father and son, Mike and Marc Spits, created the Elephant Parade. The herd of 37, life size, elephant sculptures will be on display at the beach, resorts, parks and Dana Point Harbor through Nov. 7, 2013.
The Spits began the parade in 2006 as a socially, conscious effort to support the plight of the Asian elephants after they visited the world’s first elephant hospital. A baby elephant named Mosha stepped on a land mine and lost part of her leg. Mosha has since been fitted with the first-ever prosthesis.
Dana Point is the first city American City to host the parade. The city’s Tourism Business Improvement District that consists of Double Tree Suites, Doheny Beach, Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa, St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort, and The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel; approached Spits about sponsoring the event. They embraced it and the resorts are showcasing the elephants. They are also displaying the tribute half size baby elephants.
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Closing ceremonies will be held Nov. 10-16 at lantern Bay Park in Dana Point. On Nov. 17 an auction of some of the elephant will be held with proceeds going to the Asian Elephant Foundation.
The exhibition has raised awareness and more than $6 million dollars to help support these majestic land mammals. The Dana Point webpage is http://www.elephantparade.com/index.php/cities/southern-california/ or go to http://www.elephantparade.com.
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