AMAWATERWAYS NAMED PATRON SPONSOR OF ELEPHANT PARADE

[HostDave]

Calabasas - (Sep. 6, 2013) - AmaWaterways is proud to be the preferred river cruise line of Elephant Parade: Welcome to America — an international art exhibition featuring over 80 custom, baby elephant sculptures hand-painted by acclaimed artists and iconic celebrities. AmaWaterways’ elephant, “Maa Lii” by Australian artist Chris Chun, is on display from now until Nov. 10, 2013 and will be auctioned to raise money for the Asian elephant conservation.

Elephant Parade® was founded in 2006 by father and son team Marc and Mike Spits. While on holiday in Thailand, Marc was introduced to a baby elephant named Mosha, who became the world's first elephant to be fitted with a prosthetic limb after stepping on a landmine. Her journey inspired the Spits’ to create Elephant Parade — the world’s largest public art exhibition dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the endangered Asian elephant.

After stops in London, Milan, Amsterdam and Singapore, the highly anticipated Elephant Parade is making its American debut in Southern California. Presented by The Resorts of Dana Point, the effort is bringing together preservation-minded corporations and communities committed to conservation across the globe.

“The Elephant Parade’s commitment to conservation and environmental protection align perfectly with AmaWaterways’ values and we are thrilled to be a patron sponsor,” said Kristin Karst, AmaWaterways’ Executive Vice President and Co-Owner. “With our Mekong river cruises in Vietnam and Cambodia, we are well aware of the sad plight of Asian elephants and support any effort to save these gentle giants from extinction.”

Award-wining artist Chun created Maa Lii in recognition of the natural abundance and beauty of the Asian elephant. Chun’s sculpture emphasizes flowers, which are an integral part of Thai culture and used in floral garlands to pay respect to Buddha. Maa Lii is the ancient Thai word for “flower blossom” and the sculpture represents the hope that the Asian elephant will blossom again. For 10-weeks, Maa Lii is on display at Dana Point Harbor 34624 Golden Lantern St, Dana Point, CA.

Following the 10-week Exhibition Period that ends on Nov. 10, a Grand Auction will be held on November 17, 2013 at Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa. Select elephants from the herd will be auctioned to raise money for The Asian Elephant Foundation and their efforts supporting various elephant conservation projects across Asia.

To date, Elephant Parade has raised more than $6 million for Asian elephant conservation and approximately 8 million people worldwide have experienced the expositions.