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Written by two veterinarians, this book explores every aspect of an elephant’s life. The authors’ ardent love for these magnificent and compassionate creatures comes across immediately in this captivating work. As well as being veterinarians and experts on elephants, both authors have a long list of achievements awarded to them from institutions across the globe, and each holds impressive titles. For example, Venugopal is a distinguished professor and author. Meanwhile, Cheeran is a pharmacologist as well as the head of the Department of Wildlife Sciences in the College of Forestry. Although Venugopal and Cheeran are both highly educated and accomplished, their writing style is straightforward and simple enough for readers of every level. The authors have included photos and diagrams to back up their research and findings. The photos, including the book cover, are heart-warming and will most certainly melt an animal lover’s heart.
The book discusses every element of the elephant’s life, from their physical make-up and biology to their intuition, loyalty, and love for one another. The authors have included both Asian and African elephants in their research, comparing and contrasting their similarities and differences in easy-to-read formats. The authors also discuss the ancient history of the elephant, whose majesty and mythical allure date back centuries. Although known to many Americans as merely circus animals or zoo exhibits, readers will come to learn that elephants have been revered and celebrated for thousands of years.
Filled with rich and unique findings, the book also offers insight into an elephant’s inner life. Their problem-solving abilities are similar to humans, and they appear to have funerals for their dearly departed. Elephants even recognize their own reflections. They are the largest of all land animals, and their brains are strikingly similar to the human brain. They also experience post-traumatic stress disorder. Sadly, humans are the elephant’s only natural enemy in the animal kingdom. A particularly heart-wrenching chapter discusses heroin smugglers who get elephants addicted to the drug to control them and use them to smuggle more of the product. It is both infuriating and hopeful to learn about human interactions with these amazing creatures. Although protected by many cultures, there are still plenty of vicious smugglers who exploit and murder them for their tusks. Perhaps it is only by reading books such as this one that people will understand the importance of protecting these incredible creatures.
Although there are plenty of facts and figures about the elephant included in the book, the material is creative and fun to read. One of the chapters is told in the voice of a wild elephant, which is sure to delight readers of all ages. Readers will also learn about some of the most famous elephants in history, including Raja (king), an Asian male elephant so beloved by the people that the president of Sri Lanka declared him a “treasure of the nation.” Another enchanting section of the book discusses the importance of grandmothers to baby elephants. Human grandmothers will be undoubtedly delighted to learn that the survival rates of baby elephants are much higher when they are looked after by their grandmothers as well as their mothers. Researchers, parents, young children, and students alike will find so much to love in this complete guide to elephants.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review