LOS ANGELES, Oct. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The looming extinction of the Asian elephant population seems to be unheard of in the U.S. — that is, until a herd of life-size baby elephant sculptures set foot in Southern California for Elephant Parade: Welcome to America.  Wells Fargo Private Bank, Grand Patron sponsor of the international conservation campaign, is showcasing a sneak peek of seven custom designs at Nokia Plaza L.A. LIVE from October 23-25.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131023/LA03378)

Experts report a 90% reduction of the Asian Elephant population over the last 100 years.  At this rate, this majestic mammal would be extinct within a few short decades. Elephant Parade is a social-enterprise on a global crusade to raise awareness of the Asian elephants' dramatic plight. After stops in London, Milan Singapore and other cities around the globe, the creative cause has raised more than $6 million through merchandise and auction sales to help support the species.

The L.A. LIVE installation includes designs from Khloe Kardashian, Andre Miripolsky, Sona Mirzaei and Laura Seeley as well as the newest elephant to join the herd from Richard Saul Wurman, creator of the globally-acclaimed TED conferences. This colorful cast joins a long list of acclaimed artists, international icons and local designers all coming together to raise awareness for the cause.

Each of these exceptional artworks  — along with over 80 other elephant sculptures currently on free public display in Dana Point through November 16 — are available for purchase with part of the proceeds benefiting The Asian Elephant Foundation to support conservation efforts in 13 range countries across Asia.

On November 17, at Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa in Dana Point, the closing Grand Auction will offer art lovers and elephant supporters the chance to bid and own one of their favorite Elephant from the collection.

"Our goal is generating public awareness and support for the cause of elephant conservation," said Mike Spits, co-founder of Elephant Parade. "Our American launch in Dana Point has had tremendous support from corporate, celebrity and community partners across Southern California. For all involved, the focus is now on the sale and auction of these one-of-a-kind Elephants to raise funds for The Asian Elephant Foundation."

More informationFor direct sales inquiries or more information on the Grand Auction please email should be auction Auction@ElephantParade.com

For more information, please visit www.mydanapoint.com/elephants and www.theasianelephantfoundation.com.

Like Dana Point on Facebook at www.facebook.com/myDanaPoint

Find additional pictures, videos and stories from past parades at http://www.mynewsdesk.com/pressroom/elephant-parade.

Press ContactsMatt Kovacs, BLAZE PR at (310) 395-5050, mkovacs@blazepr.com Chelsea Hartnett, BLAZE PR at (310) 395-5050,chartnett@blazepr.com 

About Elephant ParadeElephant Parade® is the world's largest open-air exhibition of life-sized elephant statues decorated by local and international artists to generate worldwide attention, public awareness and support for the endangered Asian elephant.

About The Asian Elephant FoundationThe Asian Elephant Foundation supports various projects and organizations throughout Asia, varying from (mobile) elephant hospitals to developing solutions for human-elephant conflicts, and thus supporting the well-being and the conservation of the Asian elephant. 

ABOUT L.A. LIVEL.A. LIVE is a 4 million square foot / $2.5 billion downtown Los Angeles sports and entertainment district adjacent to STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center featuring Club Nokia, a 2,300 capacity live music venue, Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE, a 7,100-seat live theatre, a 54-story, 1001-room convention "headquarters" destination (featuring The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles and JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE  hotels and 224 luxury condominiums – The Ritz-Carlton Residences at L.A. LIVE – all in a single tower) , the GRAMMY Museum, the 14-screen Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14 theatre, broadcast facilities for ESPN along with entertainment, residential, restaurant and office space.  Developed by Los Angeles-based AEG, L.A. LIVE , considered to be the nation's most active 'live content and event campus,' also features 260,480 sf of conference center and ballroom facilities, a 100,000 sf special events deck, the famous Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge, the celebrity owned Conga Room, a one-of-a-kind GRAMMY Museum, saluting the history of music and the genre's best know awards show all centered around Nokia Plaza L.A. LIVE, a 40,000 sf outdoor event space.  L.A. LIVE showcases more events, award shows, sporting competitions, concerts and hospitality options than any other destination in the world.  Visit L.A. LIVE today at www.lalive.com

About Wells Fargo Private Bank www.wellsfargoprivatebank.com

Wells Fargo Private Bank, the fourth largest wealth management provider in the United States (Barron's 2012), offers a full range of financial services and products to help individuals and families build, manage, preserve and transfer their wealth. The Private Bank services clients across North America and internationally, and oversees more than $169 billion in assets under management (1/13). Wells Fargo Private Bank provides products and services through Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and its various affiliates and subsidiaries. The company is based in San Francisco, California 

About Dana Point, Southern California Conveniently located in south Orange County, halfway between San Diego and Los Angeles, Dana Point boasts a breathtaking collection of resort properties with an approachable elegance unique to the Southern California shoreline. Dana Point's dramatic beauty is complemented by a distinct variety of year-round signature events, as well as boundless ocean experiences along its golden coast. As an oceanfront destination dedicated to the preservation of our planet, Dana Point thinks beyond the boundaries of land and sea to raise awareness for the crusade of conservation across the globe.

©Copyrights Elephant Parade International B.V. 2013 

SOURCE The Resorts of Dana Point