Dr. Chusyd leads several research projects in Africa, focusing on savanna and forest elephants, to investigate the factors that impact their health. These include early-life trauma in orphaned elephants resulting from poaching, pollutants, and other human activities. “My intention is that this research can help inform policies and decisions that impact all individuals — people, elephants and other species — who use the land.”

The Great Elephant Migration

The Elephant Safari exhibition at WMODA was inspired by the Great Elephant Migration, currently traveling through the United States. One hundred magnificent life-size elephants, crafted from lantana wood by Indian artisans, visited Miami Beach in December 2024 to share their story of human-wildlife coexistence. The herd is now heading towards the grand finale of their migration in Beverly Hills, California, from July 1 to August 1. Coincidentally, Daniella passed the migration trucks on her drive across the country to Florida.

The Elephant Safari

The museum’s Elephant Safari exhibition features 100 ceramic elephants from the WMODA collection. The international herd at the museum includes portrayals of domesticated Asian elephants made by British potteries from the early 1800s, realistic sculptures in Boehm’s American porcelain and African elephants created by the Ardmore Ceramic Art Studio in South Africa. Louise Irvine will share this story of pachyderms in pottery on Saturday, July 12.

The WMODA ceramics exhibition is enhanced by a spectacular collection of home décor, including wallpaper and pillows from the Ardmore Design Shop. Ardmore’s Sabie textiles collection features whimsical elephants dancing in the lush foliage of the Kruger National Park. Fée Halsted, the studio’s creative director, vacationed on the banks of the Sabie River, where the bush is abundant with wildlife. She describes her experience as a “never-ending tapestry of camouflaged beasts, where light, sound, movement and color shift and change.”

Hear more about the creation of Ardmore’s ceramic art and design collections during the presentations at WMODA on Saturday, July 12. The fascinating program with Louise Irvine and Daniella Chusyd is from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm and tickets cost $30 or $20 for WMODA Members. The special lecture program also includes museum admission, a guided tour of the Ardmore exhibits, and a donation to Dr. Chusyd’s research. Tickets are SOLD OUT  for the event.

Elephant Safari | Wiener Museum

Bees for Elephants | Wiener Museum

100 Elephants @ WMODA | Wiener Museum

An Elephant in the Room | Wiener Museum

Golden Elephants | Wiener Museum