MUSA to Sink 8-Ton Elephant Sculpture off Cancún

Cancún, Quintana Roo — The Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA) is preparing to submerge Temba, a three-meter-high, eight-ton elephant sculpture, as the latest addition to its underwater collection off Cancún.

The sculpture, created by Cuban artist Amado Gil and MUSA president Roberto Díaz Abraham, is already finished. Plans call for placing it at Punta Sam, north of Cancún, where permits for such installations are already active.

MUSA is an underwater art space with more than 500 submerged sculptures in waters around Cancún and Isla Mujeres. The project combines art, tourism, and marine conservation. Visitors can see the works through diving, snorkeling, and glass-bottom boat tours, with prices varying by operator and type of experience.

The sinking operation is estimated to cost $30,000, and the museum is seeking funding and possible sponsorship from Discovery Channel. Documentary filmmaker Carla Muguía is leading the outreach to the international channel.

If the plan goes through, Temba will join the museum’s more than 500 pieces, expanding the diving and snorkeling areas and strengthening Cancún’s cultural and tourist appeal.