PGAV Destinations Presents Stunning Elephant for Mardi Gras
Local zoo design firm’s Team Tusk raises ivory trade awareness
(St. Louis, MO – February 2, 2016) – PGAV Destinations’ TEAM TUSK is thrilled to present its beautiful, full-size elephant puppet in this year’s St. Louis Mardi Gras Grand Parade in Historic Soulard.
Standing ten feet high and 14 feet long, the massive puppet is the full size of an African elephant, strolling through the streets of Soulard and accompanied by its trumpeting, cheering, bead-tossing TEAM TUSK. This one-of-a-kind entry into the Mardi Gras parade was designed and built by one of the world’s leading destination design firms, PGAV Destinations, which has created zoos, aquariums, theme parks, museums, and resorts around the world. Special thanks to Craftsmen for their material donation towards vehicle graphics and the parade banner.
Through its volunteer program, PGAVIA, PGAV Destinations has been raising awareness regarding the illegal ivory trade sourced from African elephants for the last year. According to the World Conservation Society, 96 elephants die every day due to this illegal black market, and PGAV’s efforts hope to help usher along a state and national complete ban on the sale of illegal ivory.
Parade attendees are encouraged to take a selfie with TEAM TUSK’s elephant and post it to social media with the hashtag “elphie.” These photos will be collected by PGAV and included in a letter sent to the Missouri State legislature to help encourage a statewide ban of illegal ivory sales. In addition, attendees are encouraged to sign the World Conservation Society’s petition to endorse an international ban on illegal ivory sales.
So stomp your feet, blow your trunk, and join us in the march to save elephants!
About PGAV Destinations
PGAV Destinations is a global leader in the planning and design of unique destinations. Now in its fifth decade, the practice has evolved to become the ideal destination-consulting partner, skilled at developing growth-oriented master plans and translating those plans into successful projects. No other firm offers such an integrated approach to destination planning.
PGAV’s key clients include industry leaders such as Delaware North Companies, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, the Biltmore Companies, Bass Pro Shops, Ameristar Casinos, Universal Studios, The Gettysburg Foundation, the Saint Louis Zoo, and many others. Recent assignments include planning and design at many of the world’s “must see” destinations, including the Grand Canyon, Biltmore Estate, Space Shuttle Atlantis, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, the Georgia Aquarium, the Hoover Dam, and SeaWorld Adventure Parks. www.PGAVDestinations.com
