Wicker Elephants

The herd get their first outing in the fields of Pakenham, Suffolk. Photograph: Carly Vincent/PR

Artist Steve Manning of Topiary Art Designs and his assistant Jo make a steel frame skeleton of a tusker and wind recycled willow around the structure. The technique is similar to weaving wicker baskets. Photograph: Gillian Maddison/PR

Steve and his assistant Jo spend six months in the Suffolk-based studio making the bespoke elephants. Photograph: Gillian Maddison/PR

Willow retains its natural moisture which makes it long lasting and easily woven. The newly cut willow is green-coloured and fades with age to yellow, purple and brown. Photograph: Carly Vincent/PR

The wicker herd includes three tuskers, four calves and six cows. Photograph: Gillian Maddison/PR

The herd arrive in Hyde Park with a topiary elephant. Photograph: Marie Chambers/PR

One of the elephants is lowered in to place. Photograph: Marie Chambers/PR

The herd are heaved into place on giant sledges by Candy & Candy construction workers. Photograph: Marie Chambers/PR

Half a ton of fresh elephant dung is delivered in wheelbarrows by Sara Lom, director of The Royal Park’s Foundation flanked by the founders of elephant family. The dung will be used to fertilize Hyde Park's flower beds. Photograph: Marie Chambers/PR

Visitors to the elephants will be encouraged to donate to a conservation project in Kerala, India, which has created a protected corridor where endangered Asian elephants can live safely. Photograph: Marie Chambers/PR