The Elephant Whisperer: Learning About Life, Loyalty and Freedom From a Remarkable Herd of Elephants

Product Information

I'm starting to get bored with the various "whisperers." Especially since most of them don't do any actual whispering to the animals in question. Malby-Anthony establishes a rehabilitation center, initially targeted at rhinos, to provide a safe haven until they can be reintroduced into the wild. In addition to rhinos, she and her staff care for an orphaned elephant and hippo. This book is replete with heart-warming animal anecdotes and heart-breaking tragedies. Her deep caring for these creatures shines through. The author is a vocal advocate for anti-poaching, particularly regarding rhino horns. Rhino horns are made of keratin, the same substance as our fingernails, yet they are coveted for their imagined healing properties. As she says, "I am constantly confronted by the brutality of poaching and it's hard not to lose faith in mankind, but I have also met so many beautiful people and organizations who remind me not to give up hope."

Over a span of 13 years, Anthony's family and crew of Zulu workers, rangers and friends had experiences never thought possible. Among them, learning the value elephants place on family, loyalty and compassion and their willingness to go the extra mile. Once he developed a closeness with Nana, she became a protector and friend as did the rest. But like most great stories, problems surface when least expected. After the passing of her husband Lawrence Anthony, Francoise Malby-Anthony and co-author Katja Willemsen take up the pen to bring wildlife lovers another incredible chapter in the ongoing wildlife conservation at South Africa's renowned Thula Thula (and Thula Thula Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre).

Customer reviews

David, my ranger, was already sprinting for the trusty old Land Rover. I grabbed a shotgun and followed, leaping into the driver's seat. Max, my brindle Staffordshire bull terrier, scrambled onto the seat between us. With all the excitement buzzing he was not going to be left behind. The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony with Graham Spence recounts Anthony’s struggles and successes in acclimating a traumatized group of elephants to his 5,000-acre Thula Thula Game Reserve in South Africa. It's not all doom and gloom though. Peppered throughout are some truly amazing and breathtaking stories of the animals on the reserve and the preserverance of Malby-Anthony and the Thula Thula staff. The elephant herd who treks to her house every year on the anniversary of Lawrence's death, to pay their respects. The two young and impetuous rhinos calves who become inseperable. The baby hippo who hated the water, but with the help of her rhino buddy, learned to love it...

Françoise is taking us through her fight of keeping her game reserve, and home, Thula Thula going after loosing her late husband, Lawrence Anthony (author of the Elephant Whisperer). If you are interested in wildlife and nature it’s an amazing book. Mesmerised by the emotional journey of the author with wildlife and her fight to rescue them. exploits when he accepted a herd of 'rogue' elephants on his Thula Thula game reserve in South Africa. Against all advice he took on the herd and told that it was their last chance of survival, as they were to be killed if he didn't take them. Before the move was complete the elephants broke out again and the matriarch and her baby were shot, the remaining elephants were traumatised, dangerous, and very angry. As soon as they arrived at Thula Thula they started planning their escape making life for Lawrence even harder and more difficult for him to create a bond with the elephants and save them from execution. This book is full of joy and sadness but will not only appeal to animal lovers but also others who just like a good read.Lawrence’s passing is tragic and sudden. In ‘The Elephant Whisperer’ Lawrence recounts the story of the elephant Mnumzane, who had to be put down when he turned violent (later determined due to a painful ulcer), and Lawrence’s ashes are laid near his. Many people who admired him came visiting and so did two herds of the elephants he saved, who just came to the house and sat in mourning. In fact, they return on his first death anniversary as well to the house. Kudos to the local Zulu chieftain / king and his equally noble son: Oonkosee Bielah and his son Thee-why-Oonkosee-Bielah (no clue how to spell Zulu names). Francoise and her late husband are real human beings with humanity. Maybe old people with child-like hearts, People who bring a difference in the world with their humble nature. We need more people like them to see life beyond the cage of a materialistic world.