National Harbor Pays Tribute to Endangered Species Day on Friday, May 15

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National Harbor Pays Tribute to Endangered Species Day on Friday, May 15
Recent New Art Installation, Wildlife Wonder Boat, Showcases Many Endangered Species

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md., April 30, 2026—
National Harbor recently welcomed a new art installation, Wildlife Wonder Boat. The 10-foot high, 36-foot long and 14-foot wide sculpture is the largest piece of outdoor artwork at National Harbor, rivaling The Awakening just down the shoreline at National Harbor. The interactive bronze was created by internationally renowned, Australian-based artists Gillie and Marc and is located on the Potomac River waterfront, near the Spirit Park Carousel (137 National Plaza, National Harbor.)

The monumental sculpture featuring Rabbitwoman, Dogman and a collection of endangered and exotic animals was designed to be interactive while promoting wildlife conservation. It is a captivating ensemble of 24 bronze animal figures and highlights species including an emperor penguin, rhino, chimp, kangaroo, mountain gorilla, Galapagos turtle, Bengal tiger, addax, brown bear, giraffe, hippo, arctic fox, zebra, amur leopard, lion, elephant, panda, orangutan, giant octopus, wombat, spider monkey, pangolin and cheetah creating environmental awareness and encouraging taking a stand against extinction. Rabbitwoman and Dogman symbolize hope, love and guardianship.

“We are honored to host this incredible sculpture for the year and to raise awareness of endangered species and the importance of conservation,” said Deborah Topcik, senior director of marketing at National Harbor. “This sculpture will be used all year long in our programs, including Kids Day over the summer months when we educate local children on the importance of conservation and good stewardship.”

To support wildlife conservation, National Harbor will donate $2, from every Spirit Park Carousel ticket sold on May 15, to the artists' charity, Love the Last Wildlife Fund. The nonprofit raises money, awareness, and support for some of the world's most endangered species, while funding critical on-the-ground conservation projects. Money has been used for breeding programs and habitat protection to help endangered species not only survive but flourish. Additionally, The Capital Wheel will offer a $24 kids' package through the end of the year that includes a wheel and carousel ticket, Dippin' Dots and a $2 donation to the fund.

For 30 years, Gillie and Marc have worked side-by-side on their art. They share a deep spiritual bond with wildlife despite their different backgrounds. While Gillie is from England and Catholic; Marc is from Australia and Jewish, they have each spent time in Africa interacting with wildlife. At one point, Marc worked with Dr. Jane Goodall.

With sculptures and exhibitions in more than 250 cities worldwide, Gillie and Marc have transformed city streets, airports, bridges and cultural landmarks into places of connection, compassion and conservation. The New York Times has described them as "the most successful and prolific creators of public art in New York's history." Through their work, they have mobilized petitions, inspired donations and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for wildlife charities across Africa and Asia.

“Wildlife Wonder Boat is our modern-day Noah’s Ark—a powerful symbol of hope, unity, and the urgent need for conservation,” said Gillie and Marc. “It celebrates love, connection, and our shared responsibility to protect the extraordinary animals we are in danger of losing forever. We wanted to create a work that brings people together in a joyful, uplifting way, while also inspiring reflection on the beauty of wildlife and the role we all play in safeguarding its future. We are deeply honored to bring this sculpture to National Harbor and share its message.”

The Wildlife Wonder Boat is also a perfect addition to National Harbor’s Art Walk—a popular self-guided walking tour of the outdoor art collection at National Harbor.

For more information on National Harbor, visit www.NationalHarbor.com.

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About National Harbor
Situated on the banks of the historic Potomac River and just minutes from the nation’s capital, National Harbor is a waterfront resort destination unlike any other. National Harbor is home to two of Maryland’s Four Diamond rated hotels—Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, the East Coast’s largest non-gaming hotel and convention center and has almost 2,000 hotel rooms and 660,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and MGM National Harbor, an integrated luxury casino resort with renowned chef-driven restaurants, a 3,000-seat state-of-the art theater and one of the largest gaming floors outside of Las Vegas. The vibrant Waterfront District features boutique shops, restaurants and entertainment options along picturesque promenades. The iconic Capital Wheel, a 180-ft observation wheel, Tanger National Harbor’s 85 designer brands, and a robust calendar of events round out this destination that welcomes more than 15.2 million visitors a year. For more information, visit www.NationalHarbor.com.

Gillie and Marc are an internationally celebrated British–Australian husband-and-wife artist duo renowned for creating joyful, monumental public art that inspires connection, compassion, and wildlife conservation. At the heart of their practice are their iconic hybrid characters, Rabbitwoman and Dogman—autobiographical figures that embody love, acceptance, diversity, and the beauty of unlikely connection. Through these characters and their wider body of work, Gillie and Marc explore the relationship between humans and the natural world, using storytelling, humor and large-scale interactive sculpture to spark empathy and inspire action for endangered animals.

Driven by a mission to spread messages of conservation and love, Gillie and Marc create ambitious public artworks around the globe that serve as both cultural landmarks and calls to action. Central to this mission is their charity, the Love The Last Wildlife Fund, which raises critical funds, awareness, and support for some of the world’s most endangered species. Their work has been exhibited in leading cultural destinations including New York, London, Singapore, and Doha, reaching millions of people with a message of hope, togetherness, and urgent care for the planet’s most vulnerable wildlife. For more information, visit www.gillieandmarc.com.