Haddonfield's 450-Pound Bronze Elephant To Arrive Aug. 5

HADDONFIELD, NJ — Haddonfield will celebrate the birthday of a 450-pound baby elephant that was found in Kenya in 2014 by bringing in their own nearly 500+ pound elephant. The difference is Haddonfield’s elephant will be a statue.

A 450-pound bronze baby elephant will move into the Children’s Sculpture Zoo on Aug. 5, which happens to be the real-life elephant’s seventh birthday, according to the Haddonfield Outdoor Sculpture Trust (HOST).

The bronze elephant will be greeted with a parade and party, costumes, masks, toys and treats for his human fans. The event is rain or shine, and children of all ages are invited to dress in costume and/or bring their own stuffed animals.

The real life elephant was rescued by local tribesman when it was just two days old, officials said. When it was found wandering Kenya’s remote Ndoto hills, it was confused, alone and scared in a throng of sheep and goats.

The elephant was rehabilitated at the world-renowned Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. It was named “Baby Ndotto,” which means “our little dream.”

In honor of his rescue, acclaimed Australian sculptors Gillie and Marc created a 2020 exhibit of 21 life-size bronze elephants that became the hit of London, raising funds and awareness for these endangered animals. Videos can be found at www.SheldrickWildlifeTrust.org/orphans/ndotto.

The artists created only three life-size versions of Ndotto. In addition to Haddonfield, the other two statues will be moved to New York and London, HOST officials said.

The sculpture was crafted in China in early 2021. It was originally scheduled to arrive in April, but the trip was postponed when shipping schedules were disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.

He moved on a container ship from Beijing through the Yellow Sea, East China Sea, Philippine Sea, across the Pacific Ocean to Cartagena in Colombia, South America, and then through the Panama Canal.

The final leg of his journey saw him sailing between Cuba and Haiti, past the Bahamas and then north in the Atlantic Ocean to the Port of Elizabeth, where he was inspected by U.S. Customs. Finally, he was trucked to Philadelphia and then Haddonfield.

At 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 5, he will be escorted from just west of the Haddonfield PATCO station on Kings Highway, past the “Haddy” dinosaur sculpture to the Zoo at 309 Kings Highway East on the corner of Evergreen Lane.

He is 54 inches tall, 54 inches long, and 35 inches wide, and he will live in peace with other Zoo residents including a bronze life-size giraffe, bunny, toad and sea lion, and a bench of lions and griffins.

“With the generous support of donors, the Haddonfield Outdoor Sculpture Trust has been fortunate to acquire many beautiful sculptures for free public enjoyment,” said Stuart Harting, founder and chair of HOST, and 2020’s Citizen of the Year. “These are all welcome opportunities to enjoy art in a beautiful setting, take selfies, engage in social media, and learn more about art and the world around us. The Children’s Sculpture Zoo has been especially popular during the pandemic.”

Donors for this particular sculpture were Joseph E. Murphy, Lisa Wolschina, First Colonial Community Bank, and Surety Title Charitable Foundation. There will be water ice as well as free popcorn from Sparrow’s.

A naming contest announced in the Spring received several hundred entries, with the most popular being various versions of “Ndotto,” such as Haddondotto, Ndoto Kidogo and similar versions, with many pleading to keep the Ndotto name.

The work of artists Gillie and Marc, called “the most successful and prolific creators of public art in New York’s history” by “The New York Times,” spreading messages of love, equality and conservation around the world, can be found at www.us.gillieandmarc.com and in art galleries and public sites in more than 250 cities.

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