After an amazing couple of months, the 16 life-sized Tusk Turtle Trail sculptures left the streets of central London and headed for auction.
The auction event brought together supporters, artists, and conservationists for an evening of generosity and inspiration, raising over £160,000 to directly support Tusk’s work with partners, working across Africa. Well known Tusk Ambassadors including Ronnie Wood (who also designed a turtle) and Jack Savoretti joined artists including Adam Dant, Jemma Powell and Hannah Shergold in attendance to share the inspiration behind their work and support for the event. All raising vital funds for Tusk’s partner-led marine conservation partners across Africa, from the turtle nesting beaches in Liberia, to the coral reef systems in Kenya, the auction ensured Tusk can continue to broaden the reach of wildlife conservation, across land and sea.
Participating artists include: The Rolling Stones guitarist and Tusk ambassador, Ronnie Wood; Dragons’ Den stars and entrepreneurs Deborah Meaden and Steven Bartlett; English actor and comedian and his wife John and Jen Cleese; Tusk Ambassadors and artists Hannah Shergold and Jemma Powell; British photographer Rankin; writer and artist Harland Miller; British illustrator Ralph Steadman and others. Each turtle sculpture has been generously sponsored by a Tusk partner or supporter.
Following the success of Tusk’s Rhino, Lion and Gorilla Trails held between 2018 and 2023, the Tusk Turtle Trail featured 16 life-sized turtle sculptures displayed in prominent locations on the streets of the capital this summer.
Marine turtles are the ocean’s ancient mariners: they have been navigating the planet’s seas for over 100 million years. Yet within a few short decades, their numbers have plummeted, and six of the seven species are now threatened with extinction.
The Tusk Turtle Trail, curated by Chris Westbrook of Westbrook Gallery, uses creativity, public art and storytelling to raise awareness of the beauty of and threats to all marine turtles.
A Trail of Turtles have arrived!
Participating artists include: The Rolling Stones guitarist and Tusk ambassador, Ronnie Wood; Dragons’ Den stars and entrepreneurs Deborah Meaden and Steven Bartlett; English actor and comedian and his wife John and Jen Cleese; Tusk Ambassadors and artists Hannah Shergold and Jemma Powell; British photographer Rankin; writer and artist Harland Miller; British illustrator Ralph Steadman and others. Each turtle sculpture has been generously sponsored by a Tusk partner or supporter.
Deborah Meaden, Steven Bartlett, Ronnie Wood and Ralph Steadman behind the scenes with their turtle sculptures.
For more information, please email info@tuskturtletrail.com
#TuskTurtleTrail #SaveOurTurtles #TrailForTurtles #TuskforTurtles
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I’m delighted to be part of Tusk’s Turtle Trail. Marine turtles are not just beautiful creatures - they’re vital to the health of our oceans, from coral reefs to seagrass beds. Protecting marine turtles means protecting our oceans. It’s a cause that matters deeply, and I’m proud to lend my artwork to support it.
Ronnie Wood, Tusk Ambassador
Thanks to all our Partners & Sponsors
The Tusk Turtle Trail is made possible thanks to the support of our partners and sponsors. DHL, a long-standing logistics partner of Tusk, returns as lead sponsor for the campaign.
Curated by Chris Westbrook of Westbrook Gallery and supported by Art of London, Shaftesbury Capital and The View From The Shard, the Tusk Turtle Trail’s bale of turtles have been designed by an extraordinary invited list of artists and public figures from the worlds of art, design, photography, music, theatre and television, all of whom have uniquely designed and painted a sculpture.
Help Tusk support the Turtle
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Key Turtle Facts
There are seven species of marine turtles: Green, Loggerhead, Kemp’s Ridley, Olive Ridley, Hawksbill, Flatback and Leatherback.
Adult turtles rely on the earth’s magnetic field to navigate, often returning to the same beach to lay eggs.
The sex of marine turtle hatchlings is determined by the temperature of the sand where the eggs are incubated.
Marine turtles migrate hundreds of miles through the oceans, carrying marine organisms such as barnacles and other small creatures on their backs, on which fish and other animals feed.
The remains of marine turtle eggs laid on beaches provide nutrients for beach vegetation, so helping to prevent erosion and bind sand together.
Green turtles help regulate marine eco-systems by feeding on sea grasses which, when left unchecked, can obstruct currents and trap debris.
Leatherback and green turtles feed on jellyfish - which helps to prevent jellyfish swarms.
The biggest threats to marine turtles’ existence include: Illegal harvesting of eggs and meat, entanglement in fishing nets, habitat destruction, marine pollution, the illegal shell trade and climate change.