Afterward: Graham Spence January 2017: The co-author of The Elephant Whisperer was notified of the passing of his brother-in-law, Lawrence Anthony, in the early morning of 2 March 2012. And though he had not been in recent good health this “indestructible” conservationist had succumbed to a final heart attack. But before his death, … Continue reading »
ELEPHANT SPEAK: It was magical, a “positive gentle communication” from Lawrence Anthony to his elephants. Sometimes The Elephant Whisperer would even sing. Yet part of that communication was non-verbal, “just being there doing nothing, saying nothing, (…purposefully ignoring them…) showing I was comfortable whether they were close by or not.”(ch. 6) “I had no idea … Continue reading »
Memorable Moments First Encounter Initiated by the Elephants, As Nana and Baby Mandla Stood at the Boma Fence. “…suddenly I felt sheathed in a sense of contentment. Despite standing just a pace from this previously foul-tempered wild animal who until now would have liked nothing better than to kill me, I had never felt safer. … Continue reading »
DON’T MISS THIS: ch. 14 Frankie & the Four Wheeler “I involuntarily sat down on the bike and looked up at the crinkled underside of Frankie’s throat in petrified wonder.” ch. 17 Nana’s & the Herd’s First Visit to the House, at 2am! Of Nana: “I doubt whether many people have had a ten-foot five-ton … Continue reading »
Meet the Elephants! NANA: Matriarch named in honor of Lawrence’s “mum” Regina, that name which she is affectionately known by her grandchildren. Nana’s sister (Mnumzane’s mother) had been the matriarch of this herd of “highly disturbed elephants” (ch. 2) before “she and her baby had been shot during the capture in Mpumalanga, their former home, … Continue reading »
Team Thula Thula Lawrence Anthony: aka The Elephant Whisperer Mkhulu, his Zulu name meant “grandfather but not in the limited Western sense”…as “Zulus venerate maturity” this was definitely seen “as a compliment”. (ch. 4) His first encounter with Francoise. (p. 25) These were “among my favourite animals …the honey badger or ratel … … Continue reading »
The Elephant Whisperer is Wondrous Beyond Words This is more than just a book it is a spiritual journey that holds your attention until the very end. It is a primer on life taught by the elephants really, as Lawrence Anthony always said it was the elephants who spoke to him, he just listened. (Prologue) … Continue reading »
Let us not forget: JUMA & BIBI baby bull Juma & Bibi (p. 263-264) who both died tragically; Let us not forget: OLMEG (p.266) who was the first and most likely the only baby elephant to share Jill’s bedroom. And despite the work it had taken to fluff up the floor with a “bed of … Continue reading »
AISHA Perhaps the most famous little elephant that stole Dame Daphne Sheldrick’s heart was this tiny calf. “She was the smallest elephant I had ever seen – still covered in the soft fuzz of elephant infancy, her tiny trunk tinged with pink, toenails of pale yellow – soft and brand new.” (p.229) Prophetically, the chapter … Continue reading »
Meet the First of Many Elephants Who Have Enriched Dame Daphne Sheldrick’s Life IMENTI (p. 288) was the tiniest and most fragile baby elephant as he had just been born that January of 1994 when he was brought to the DSWT. He was “heartbreakingly perfect” with “petal pink ears” and so “trusting and unafraid” of … Continue reading »