2013-07-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Management at Liverpool John Lennon Airport (JLA) had a jumbo sized surprise in store for passengers turning up at the Airport this morning following the arrival overnight of a family of four life-size elephants.
The elephants are touring the region as part of a campaign organised by experts from Knowsley Safari and DEFRA to highlight the threat to the world’s largest land mammal from the thriving ivory trade. The campaign encourages the public to consider what a world would be like ‘If They’re Gone…’
With thousands of passengers now passing through the Airport at its busiest time of the year, JLA offered to help and has provided space at the front of the terminal to spread the word and raise awareness about this important campaign.
Made of cold-cast poly resin and fibre glass, the family of four elephants consists of two adults that are 3.7m high and weigh in at 230kg and two baby elephants that range in height from 1.12m and weigh 30kg each.
Knowsley Safari hope that the imposing elephant statues will encourage people to think twice before buying anything that may have been made using endangered animal parts or resulted in the destruction of their habitats.
The elephants will call Liverpool John Lennon Airport home from July 17 to July 31.
Robin Tudor, Head or PR for Liverpool John Lennon Airport commented, ”We have seen Jumbo’s here at the airport before, but they normally have wings and four engines. However we are delighted to be able to work with Knowsley Safari and help with this campaign and highlight this important issue to our passengers, particularly if it helps to remind them not to purchase goods made from endangered animals whilst away on their holidays.”
We ask passengers to think carefully about what they pack in their luggage before checking in at the Airport. Let’s hope this campaign makes them also think carefully about what they return home with in their trunk too!”
Head of Animal Management at Knowsley Safari, Eveline De Wolf, who is one of the most experienced elephant keepers in Europe, explains the campaign’s role:
“Many people will never see a herd of elephants in the wild, which is why safari parks have such an important role to play in helping communities understand the impact of poaching on this keystone species.
“At Knowsley Safari, we have the power to make a difference, and through conservation and education, we are working to make sure that our children’s children grow up in a world where an elephant is more than just a memory.”
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Family of four life-size elephant statues land on Liverpool John Lennon Airport