changeadminBook Name: The Elephant Whisperer: Learning About Life, Loyalty and Freedom From a Remarkable Herd of Elephants
Author Name(s): Lawrence Anthony and Graham Spence
Published in: 2009
The Elephant Whisperer book is a must-read for nature lovers, as it takes us on a journey of a conservationist and his interactions with the wildlife.
Lawrence Anthony is the owner of Thula Thula Wildlife Reserve in South Africa, who was offered a herd of ‘rogue’ elephants in the late 1990s as they had become a threat to human lives. The animals were considered dangerous and would be shot dead if Lawrence did not accept them.
After some deliberation, he accepts them, which is the start of a riveting and sensitive story. Lawrence Anthony, with great patience, forges a bond with the herd.
Though the herd try every trick initially to escape Thula, Lawrence, through love, dedication and respect, first wins the trust of the matriarch, Nana, followed by other elephants; however, with utmost caution, as one can’t trust a wild animal fully.
While many of us are aware of Elephants’ intelligence and habitat, The Elephant Whisperer book is an evocative journey as we witness the development of a deep bond between humans and animals.
The book shows how elephants react to situations, their communication, and their intuitive abilities. Each elephant has distinct personalities and moods.
There are also examples of how elephants express their tenderness and emotions through their trunk. In one of the occurrences, Nana cautiously approaches Lawrence, and slowly extends her trunk toward him—not aggressively, but almost curiously, like she’s trying to “read” him. Her trunk gently brushes him, and it becomes clear that this simple gesture is a kind of handshake—her way of sensing whether or not he can be trusted.
It offers extensive and critical insights into the lives of elephants, other animals in the African wilderness, and tribal people.
The incidents, like a female elephant who brings her baby out to meet Lawrence, or the herd lining up to greet him at the front gate, are heart-warming and reveal the intelligence and empathy of elephants
The writing is an easy read, with touches of humour; however, due to the emotional sensibilities, it is not recommended for young children.
The 380-page book ends with an apt sentence, “If there is one thing I disapprove of it’s the unnatural capture and taming of wild animals, whether an elephant or a bird. To me, the only good cage is an empty cage.”
Other Movies and Documentaries on Elephants
The Academy Awards 2023 winner for Best Short Documentary – The Elephant Whisperer – Read review
Haathi Mere Saathi, a 1971 Hindi film, showcases the elephants’ intelligence, emotional depth, and capacity for love – Read review
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