Flock of animal puppets trek from Africa to Europe in climate action

A wildbast, a gorilla, and a giraffe were among the life-size puppets, to start a 20,000 km (12,400 mi) trek worldwide from the DR Congo capital on Wednesday, to raise awareness about migration due to climate change.

Animals are part of the Herd Project and have to cross about 10 countries between Central Africa and Arctic by August.

His journey will take him to other countries via Nigeria, Senegal, Morocco, France and Norway.

“The project tries to give the public a powerful emotional feeling of what is happening to the planet,” project manufacturer David Lan told AFP in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, told AFP, “told AFP.

The trek includes “now 20, later 40, later 70 animals from West Africa, Morocco, Europe, who are traveling to avoid damage to their ecosystems,” he said.

It is funded by many European countries as well as private foundations.

Puppets are mostly made up of recycled materials: South African collective, according to the Sipokazi Mapofu of Ukwanda puppets, rubber for cardboard and joints for the skin, which first creates puppets.

For example, some animals will die on the way due to high humidity, “Just like real life,” MPOFU said.

As it travels, the herd will be involved by new puppets representing local species, such as Varvet monkeys in Nigeria, wolves in Europe and reindeer in red deer and reindeer in Norway.

© 2025 AFP