Elephant Family

What Elephant Family does

Elephant Family is a UK-registered wildlife conservation charity founded in 2002 by Mark Shand, operating as part of the British Asian Trust (UK registered charity 1127366). The organization focuses on mitigating habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict in Asia, particularly in India, while raising funds through high-profile public art campaigns. It delivers on-ground conservation services including community-managed solar-powered electric fencing, WhatsApp-coordinated Rapid Response Units (RRUs), early warning alert lights, solar streetlights, wildlife corridor projects (e.g., artificial canopy bridges for golden langurs), and a Nature Information Centre in Karnataka. Implementation is delivered through a network of partner NGOs including Aaranyak, Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF), Holématthi Nature Foundation (HNF), Conservation Himalayas, and the Coexistence Collective of 200 indigenous artisans.

The charity employs 22 staff and operates from London with a US-registered 501(c)(3) entity. It has Joint Royal Presidents in King Charles III and Queen Camilla since 2014. Revenue is generated entirely through donations, art auctions, corporate sponsorships, and event fundraising. Flagship campaigns — CoExistence (2021, £3-4M+ raised), the Big Egg Hunt, the Little Egg Hunt, the Animal Ball (£2M raised in 2023), and the Great Elephant Migration — have collectively generated over £20 million since inception. Named commercial sponsors include luxury and lifestyle brands such as Xerjoff, Chopard, Clarence Court, Emporio Sirenuse, LOVE BRAND & Co., Chantecaille, HOUSE of WARIS, Truefitt & Hill, Nyetimber, Savills, Petersham Nurseries, and the Tintra Foundation.

The organization's strategy combines cultural engagement — leveraging royal, celebrity, and luxury brand partnerships to drive mass awareness and donations — with low-cost, community-managed field technology that reduces human-elephant conflict in forest-edge communities across Northeast and Southern India. Recent moves signal geographic expansion into the United States (Great Elephant Migration 2024-2025) and the integration of climate-action objectives (Sundarbans partnership with Living Carbon International).

Name

Elephant Family

Legal name

Elephant Family

Website

https://elephant-family.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Elephant Family is a UK-registered wildlife conservation charity that combines high-profile public art campaigns with on-ground conservation programs in India to protect Asian elephants, tigers, and other endangered species from habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Conservation

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

akta.pro primary industry

Conservation & Human–Wildlife Conflict Mitigation (BPAGAIAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Advocacy, Policy & Public Awareness (Animal Welfare) (BPAGAIAJ), Education & Community Outreach (Responsible Pet Ownership) (BPAGAIAK), Animal Welfare & Advocacy Organizations (AFAEALAC)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation services
• Habitat protection programs
• Conservation art campaigns
• Human-wildlife coexistence
• Charitable fundraising events

Headquarters

HQ city

London, England

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters, including regular giving programs and legacy gifts through wills.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Sponsorship deals with companies for events and campaigns, including headline sponsors, event partners, and merchandise collaborations.
3. Art Auctions and Exhibitions: Sale of art pieces including elephant sculptures and egg installations created by artists and artisans, with proceeds supporting conservation projects.
4. Event Fundraising: High-profile charity events like the Animal Ball and Wonders of the Wild that raise millions through ticket sales, auctions, and donations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Elephant Family is a UK-registered wildlife conservation charity that raises funds through high-profile art campaigns (CoExistence, Big Egg Hunt, Little Egg Hunt, Great Elephant Migration, Animal Ball) and deploys those funds into on-ground conservation programs in Asia. The charity supports human-elephant coexistence through solar fencing, early warning systems and Rapid Response Units, while also funding wildlife corridors, livelihood enhancement for forest-edge communities, and the Nature Information Centre for conservation education.

Product overview

Elephant Family is a UK-based wildlife conservation charity (founded 2002, part of the British Asian Trust) that operates art-for-conservation campaigns and on-ground wildlife protection programs in Asia. The organization's primary offerings are public art exhibitions—namely The Great Elephant Migration, The Big Egg Hunt, The Little Egg Hunt, and the CoExistence Campaign—featuring life-sized sculptures to raise awareness and funds. Complementing these awareness campaigns, Elephant Family runs practical conservation programs including human-elephant coexistence initiatives (solar fencing, early warning systems, Rapid Response Units), livelihood enhancement projects, wildlife corridor conservation with canopy bridges, and the Nature Information Centre for community education. The organization does not offer a technology product or SaaS platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Great Elephant Migration

Quantifiable outcome

• 20,000 elephants supported through conservation work
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, major and minor.

• ChopardflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 May 2025Luxury jewellery and watch brand partnering with Elephant Family for Wonders of the Wild event, with guests wearing Chopard designs.
• Living Carbon InternationalflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 July 2024Partnership announced July 2024 to conserve the Sundarbans mangrove forest through regenerative agriculture, woodland conservation, and clean energy initiatives supporting both biodiversity and climate action.
• Art & NewportflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 July 2024Nonprofit art organization presenting the Great Elephant Migration US tour, bringing 100 elephant sculptures to Newport, New York City, Miami, Blackfeet Nation, and Los Angeles.
• Conservation HimalayascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 May 2024Partnership announced May 2024 to connect fragmented golden langur populations through artificial canopy bridges in Assam, India.
• Tintra FoundationflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 June 2023Co-host of Animal Ball 2023, supporting conservation programs in South Asia and empowering communities.
• Emporio SirenusemajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 May 2023Resortwear and homeware brand collaborating on exclusive collection with 10% of profits supporting Elephant Family conservation work.
• HOUSE of WARIS BotanicalsmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 August 2022Tea company launching UK's first Certified Elephant Friendly Black Tea with £1 per pack donated to Elephant Family.
• British Asian TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerElephant Family is part of the British Asian Trust, a UK registered charity (1127366). The British Asian Trust provides organizational infrastructure, data protection standards, and operational support for Elephant Family's conservation work.
• AaranyakcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssam-based conservation NGO implementing human-elephant coexistence projects in Majuli and Northeast India. Manages community engagement, solar fencing installation, Rapid Response Units, and livelihood enhancement programs.
• Holématthi Nature Foundation (HNF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplementing partner working in Western Ghats wildlife sanctuaries. Manages Nature Information Centre, wildlife monitoring, community education, and conflict mitigation programs in Karnataka.
• The Coexistence CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity of 200 indigenous artisans from Bettakurumba, Paniya, Kattunayakan and Soliga communities of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve who sculpt life-sized elephants from invasive Lantana camara weed.
• XerjoffflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerItalian luxury perfume brand and headline sponsor of CoExistence campaign. Created exclusive 'CoExistence by Xerjoff' fragrance with proceeds supporting Elephant Family conservation.
• IBI International LogisticsmajorOthersFine art logistics sponsor that transported the elephant sculptures for the CoExistence campaign, including the superhero effort of migrating the herd for free.
• Clarence CourtflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerEgg producer presenting the Little Egg Hunt and Big Egg Hunt. Supports Elephant Family events with sponsorship and brand partnership.
• Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization implementing coexistence programs in Valparai and other regions, managing early warning alert light systems.
• SavillsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerReal estate company sponsoring The Original Dwellers Herd of elephants during CoExistence exhibition.
• Petersham NurseriesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGarden centre sponsoring The Climate Coolers Herd and providing event venue experiences for CoExistence.
• ChantecaillemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCosmetics brand sponsoring The Natural World Heroes Herd during CoExistence exhibition.
• LOVE BRAND & Co.majorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeachwear brand sponsoring The Crop Raiders Herd and supporting Newport exhibition with pop-up merchandise shop.
• Truefitt & HillminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGrooming brand sponsoring The Bachelor Boys Herd during CoExistence exhibition.
• NyetimberminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWine producer sponsoring The Tree Trunk Herd and serving as drinks partner for CoExistence events.
• The Real Elephant CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreators of the CoExistence elephant herd, providing inspiration and artistic direction for the London exhibition.
• WildEastminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK organization promoting coexistence and supporting UK biodiversity, CoExistence partner.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• WildAid: Wildlife-focused NGO concentrating on demand reduction campaigns and awareness for Asian and African species. Comparable in using creative communications for conservation impact, though typically smaller-scale.
• Tusk Trust: UK-based African elephant conservation charity that also relies on high-profile celebrity/royal patronage, luxury brand sponsorships, and event-driven fundraising (Tusk Conservation Awards, Tusk Ball). Nearly identical operating model to Elephant Family, making it the most directly comparable peer.
• Fauna & Flora International (FFI): UK-registered wildlife conservation charity founded in 1903, operating species and habitat programs across Asia including India. Similar size, mission, and conservation approach with royal historical connections.
• Save the Elephants: Leading elephant-focused conservation organization conducting field research, anti-poaching, and human-elephant coexistence work across Africa and Asia. Directly comparable mission focus on elephant conservation and habitat protection.
• The Aspinall Foundation: UK-based wildlife conservation charity focused on species protection, rewilding, and habitat conservation. Similar UK charity scale, mission scope, and event-driven fundraising approach.
• Born Free Foundation: UK-based wildlife charity focused on species conservation, animal welfare, and habitat protection with celebrity ambassador engagement. Similar UK charity structure, mission, and brand-led approach to conservation.

Broad incumbents

• WWF (World Wildlife Fund): The largest global wildlife conservation NGO with similar species/habitat focus but vastly greater scale, broader species mandate, and corporate partnership model. Operates in overlapping geographies in Asia with conservation field programs.
• Conservation International: Major international conservation NGO with significant Asia operations, corporate partnerships, and biodiversity-climate integration. Operates at much larger scale with broader geographic mandate.
• Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS): Large US-headquartered conservation organization operating field programs across Asia and Africa including human-wildlife conflict mitigation. Comparable mission scope but much larger scale.

Others

• Asian Elephant Specialist Group (AsESG): IUCN Species Survival Commission group focused specifically on Asian elephant conservation. Not a fundraising peer but a key technical/scientific collaborator that defines best practice in the same conservation domain Elephant Family operates in.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/elephantfamily
• Facebookfacebook.com/elephantfamily
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/elephant-family
• Instagraminstagram.com/elephantfamily

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Elephant Family