You probably need to get pvc piping for the legs, cover with RKT. The body, attach a base to the pvc pre-shaped. I would definitely use pound cake for easier carving. I would find a tutorial for another animal if there are no ele's out there. I have seen something like this recently - maybe on YouTube. Good luck.
Check out caljava and look under cake study. THere is a cake structure that bronwen weber makes that she uses for people. You could do an elephant just make him stand up on his hind legs then the body could just be 8" rounds.
I know this is not helping your issue but all I could think was finally someone gets to do a cake and the elephant skin fondant is a plus. Hope it goes great for you.
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