Life-sized animal puppets to stampede across London in June

Life-sized animal puppets that have been stampeding through cities across Africa will make their way to London next month.

The public artwork is to highlight the animals travelling north to “flee the climate disaster”, said The Walk Productions, which the presents large scale art.

THE HERDS make their way to London from 27 to 29 June, visiting The Scoop and making their way from Soho to Somerset House, Coram’s Fields, Camden High Street and Stratford.

The animals began their stampede on 9 April in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and have so far travelled through Lagos, Dakar, Marrakesh, Casablanca and Rabat, encountering local musicians, artists, dancers and climate activists.

The puppets are made from upscaled and recyclable materials – primarily cardboard and plywood – with a focus on bio-degradable and organic materials.

As the animals travel they will grow in number and species including elephants, giraffes, antelope and lions.

They will travel through Europe, including Madrid, Marseille, Venice and Paris, before arriving in the UK.

THE HERDS stampede will feature performances, theatrical readings and music along the way and a hunt is also planned to break out on Camden High Street.

After London, they will continue their journey north to Greater Manchester and then travel through Scandinavia to the Arctic Circle.

Amir Nizar Zuabi, the artistic director, said: “THE HERDS is an urgent artistic response to the climate crisis, a living, breathing call to action that stampedes across continents.

“Through the beauty and ferocity of these life-size creatures, we aim to spark dialogue, provoke thought, encourage engagement and inspire real change.”