Elephant Dawn: The Inspirational Story of Thirteen Years Living with Elephants in the African Wilderness

by Sharon Pincott

In 2001, Sharon Pincott traded her privileged life as a high-flying corporate executive to start a new one with the Presidential Elephants of Zimbabwe. She was unpaid, untrained, self-funded and arrived with the starry-eyed idealism of most foreigners during early encounters with Africa. For thirteen years - the worst in Zimbabwe's volatile history - this intrepid Australian woman lived in the Hwange bush fighting for the lives of these elephants, forming an extraordinary and life-changing bond with them.Now remote from Robert Mugabe's rule, Sharon writes without restraint sequentially through the years, taking us on a truly unforgettable ride of hope and heartbreak, profound love and loss, adversity and new beginnings. This is the haunting, all-encompassing story we've been waiting for.Powerfully moving, sometimes disturbing and often very funny, Elephant Dawn is a celebration of love, courage and honour amongst our greatest land mammals. With resilience beyond measure, Sharon earns the supreme right to call them family.[The book includes 32 pages of colour photographs.]

Genres: Africa, Animals, Wildlife, Conservation, Nonfiction, Nature, Zimbabwe

392 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 25, 2016

About the author

Born in Queensland, Australia, Sharon Pincott is the applauded author of the best-selling ELEPHANT DAWN, and of two other highly acclaimed books published in South Africa - including the re-released THE ELEPHANTS AND ME (originally published in 2009 with the title 'The Elephants and I', but no ebook was ever available). She is also the subject of the internationally successful 1-hour documentary titled 'All the President's Elephants'. Her inspiring elephant conservation work has been profiled in National Geographic, BBC Wildlife, Africa Geographic, Forbes Woman Africa, among others. She is a world respected wildlife conservationist and elephant specialist, having spent 13 years full-time working in the field with wild African elephants and is credited with having formed one of the most remarkable relationships with wild elephants ever documented anywhere in the world.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharon_...
www.facebook.com/SharonPincott10
www.facebook.com/PresidentialElephant...

Reviews

[Christina Russo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharon Pincott's Elephant Dawn is one of the most powerful stories I have read about elephant conservation in recent years.

I conducted an interview with Pincott for National Geographic while she still lived just outside Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park ("The Fate of the Presidential Elephants"). During that time she was enduring not only a volatile political climate but facing numerous threats in the face of doing what she loved most: monitoring and protecting the elephants in their wild habitat.

Despite the turbulence, Pincott always found a specific quietude — a great solace — while observing these elephants day after night from her vehicle inside Hwange. But she was also burdened by a constant and deep worry, knowing they were suffering tremendously from snares, from poachers, from drought, and from the relentless and general persecution they faced in Zimbabwe and throughout Africa.

Elephant Dawn gave me extraordinary insight into the delicate and determined effort of Pincott: from the hurdles she faced living alone in her humble rondavel; to navigating political landmines; to losing some of her most beloved elephants. Indeed, it's likely no reader will come away from this book untouched by the dignified and majestic Lady, an elephant who came whenever Pincott called her name and stood quietly next to Sharon when she sang "Amazing Grace" into the Zimbabwe sky. Lady's profound presence will surely linger with many a reader, and catch a person smack in the heart.

This book is a magnificent read and it is lovingly written by a courageous woman. The penetrating sadness Pincott felt when leaving the elephants after living so closely with them for 13 years still endures long after the last page — and I suspect many readers will also find that her departure brings with it a nagging vacancy and fear that the animals are all the more vulnerable now that she is gone.

[Sarah Aitken · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extraordinary story. The author lets you think for yourself so do that right throughout and the ending will flood you with emotion.

[Debra Penlington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It shows the pull of Africa which we experienced after our vacation and highlights many things we were not aware of. The author writes of her personal experiences over the years to highlight what are dire problems in this African country (Zimbabwe) making it much more real than any journalist report. The background events in the country itself were not my focus initially but they proved important for me to be able to properly grasp the issues that elephant face and the stark contrast between the First and Third Worlds for people too. I love elephants. I laughed and I cried and I learned a lot.

[Brenda Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't find time to read as often as I would like but I encourage everyone to read this incredible story. A good cry brings relief and I had several while absorbing every last word of this beautiful story. Sharon Pincott is an elephant heroine. Now she is mine too. This book is powerful and gut wrenching, unforgettable and worthy of high praise. I am in awe.

[Margaret Crampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and learnt a lot about elephant behavior and Mugabe’s Zimbabwe. It’s a story of one Australian woman’s devotion to the President’s herd of elephants in Hwange Zimbabwe against all odds: Isolation, alienation, insecurity, threats, a volatile political situation and the land invasions, illegal hunting, the painful snares, gunshots..Yet she was able to protect and befriend these beautiful creatures and give them an international profile. A very moving story.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely find myself wanting to write about a book publicly. Elephant Dawn is different. For years and years I have wanted to do what Sharon Pincott has done but have never taken that risk and that leap. This is a very special book for me with many unforeseen realities about a life in a foreign country working to save the wild you have fallen in love with. It's not a fairy story or a rose-tinted-glasses viewpoint. Rarely it seems is there ever good news out of Zimbabwe though you will find a good dose of it here. Sadly the realities of an amoral country and it's people who follow that lead negatively affect one of it's most worthy resources: it's wonderful wildlife. This is tragic and devastating for all. Yet one person can make a difference. In the lives of the elephants she writes about she unquestionably achieved that. It's an achievement that has spurred me on and given me hope. If you have ever thought about working with wildlife and living in a land you know little about this is a great place to start. Although elephants are not my own spirit animal I learned a lot about them and fell heads over heels in love along the way.

[Nadine Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm surprised Sharon Pincott lived to tell this story.
It's common knowledge that countries such as Zimbabwe have no problems dealing with those who dare to speak up. Being a foreigner in that country may have saved her life as I don't like the chances of a resident there doing the same and surviving.
This was an important story to tell.
She managed to endear herself to some officials who I imagine she would have preferred to avoid, for the sake of the elephants. She also successfully managed to shut out the noise of ego and revenge and get on with her own mission.
All the way through I wondered if I would have stayed on that roller coaster, if I would have managed to maintain the deep human friendships she held dear and who helped her carry on, and the same with the marvelous elephant friendships she formed. Most of all I wonder if I could have dealt with the corruption and lows for that many years despite all of the enchanting highs she also writes about.
Sharon writes near the end that as well as being burned out from so many stressful years of full time work in the field she could not let herself become complicit in the actions of the government towards elephants.
Bravo! I do wish she could go back though.
Do yourself and elephants a favor and mark this book to read.

[Annie Westwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love wildlife and nature and have a dream you will love this book. The greatest love stories are tragedies! I fell in love with these elephants.

[Lawrence Holdsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important and gut-wrenching read but has Zimbabwe learned anything? Readers of this book will have, which is equally as important. Keen for a way to get this under the noses of those that fund wildlife/elephant programmes in Zimbabwe. If their ways have not changed, they are not deserving. This lady is a hero of the elephants, living many lifetimes over, during her forties. Not many of us can attest to that.

[Lorna O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of a 38 year old Australian who, with no special training, arrived in Zimbabwe in 2001 to work by herself with elephants near Hwange National Park. It is always inspiring to read of someone who is living their dream and making a difference, even more so in this story when so many of the corrupt and envious did so much to try to pull her down and make life difficult. For 13 years they did not succeed even though some of the events during this time were unfathomable and likely only to happen in a Third World country where even some fair-skinned folk seemed not to be able to contain their displeasure, probably resentment, at a white foreigner doing successfully what they were not.

By the last few years of the story I was so emotionally invested in both the elephants and the author that the ending was deeply emotional for me.

Zimbabwe is a poor, struggling African country that could benefit greatly from assistance and positive publicity and yet they seem to want to bite off their noses to spite their faces. The view that they are better going it alone is arrogant and unfortunate. That they do not value their elephants more, and what people like the author was doing for them, is incomprehensible.

This story of incredible elephants and people, both foreign and local, lives heavily in my heart. I enjoyed it very much.

[Corey Grazer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not often I take time to contact an author via website-email as I did even before finishing this book. This story of an Australian female who made an enormous life change leaving a very comfortable and successful life for one of uncertainty in Africa has left an imprint on my being so heavy I use this review to help ease the many emotions running around inside of me since I finished reading it. Others have done it before her, many in fact, not the least Jane Goodall, Diane Fossey, Cynthia Moss. The level of resilience and determination evident within Elephant Dawn's pages makes this story different. Often wishing it was me there in this African country working with elephants, I was just as frequently glad that it wasn't. What this country threw at this woman was expected I suppose. The power of human friendships turned out to be just as important as her elephant friendships in getting her through the worst of times which surfaced constantly. It's a brave book. I'm filled with gratitude this story has been shared.

[Laura Shields · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disclaimer- I havent finished this book

So far I'm only 18% through this book as I'm struggling to continue through the authors narrow and white centric perspective. Picking up this book I expected a story focused mainly on her experiences with elephants, but the author often side tracks into discussion regarding the political state on Zimbabwe and personal takes on the locals morals and values.

The author comes off as ignorant with a white savior complex, moving into a foreign county to assist in wildlife preservation without respect toward local culture. Despite now living in a new country, the author shows little to no interest in getting to know the locals, the culture, or engaging in reflection. Rather than reflecting on the impact that past white supremacy and poverty currently has on the locals, the author chooses to engage rhetoric
Tgar further perpetuates Zimbabwe in a negative, almost primitive light. She states she once tried to learn the language but quickly stopped as "those are the sounds a cricket makes, and I am not a cricket"

It's been a sad realization that

[Kat Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book so much. Inspirational and heart warming in spades. Beautifully written, Sharon Pincott is an inspiration for human kindness to the amazing Presidential Elephants who are so much at risk in Zimbabwe. A stunning book, the best I have read in a very long time. Shines a devastatingly sad light on the filthy ivory trade to China and other Asian countries, as well as 'sports hunting'. Education and awareness is surely the key though.

[Gerard Parry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible story of dedication to wild elephants in Hwange Zimbabwe.
A firm favorite of mine with a poignant and evocative end.

[Anabel Zimin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye-opening, fast-paced, humorous, beautiful and tragic. In one word: Gripping. This book has haunted me for days, a review the best way to let it linger peacefully. Outstanding Sharon Pincott, today's Elephant Whisperer, Elephant Forever Friend. Read it, savour it, remember it.

[Bec Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little hesitant to read this book not wanting to read too much sad but I could not put it down. Sad yes, but exceptional and informative. If you care about wildlife or even if you think you don't, I urge you to read this one even though it left a deep ache in my heart.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally engrossing, moving, disturbing, both heartwarming and heartrending. One woman's fight to save elephants in Zimbabwe, where the level of corruption and greed are beyond anything most people could ever imagine.

[Karla Burmester · Rating 5 out of 5]

By the end of reading even if you do not shed tears you will cry for a country, cry for corruption, cry for a conservationist called Sharon Pincott and you will cry for elephants. This is a very memorable and worthy read. I am reading again.

[Letea Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Nothing could tear me away from it until the very end and even then I was distracted for days thinking back on it all. The world certainly needs more Sharon Pincott's.

[Jo Coddington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am still thinking about this book two weeks after finishing it. It is an incredibly worthy life this woman has led.

[PoachingFacts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Undoubtedly the goal of this book is to leave the reader deeply affected by not only the plight of the wildlife, particularly the eponymously named presidential elephants, but of all conservationists working in Zimbabwe and Africa. Author Sharon Pincott achieves this goal through sharing her personal struggles and thoughts. She also highlights the way that black and white Zimbabweans are separately impacted by the disastrous land reform policies of the Mugabe regime which is still in power as of early 2017.

While the writing is good and the topic is of vital importance to the future safety of elephants in Zimbabwe (even now the country is shipping wild elephant calves to China), the story feels disjointed as Pincott works to present snapshots of her life interspersed with the tumults of living in Hwange, the political and social changes happening around her, and the challenges of conservation in Zimbabwe. The book itself, just shy of 350 pages, covers roughly 13 years of anecdotes, with multiple chapters dedicated to each year, beginning in 2001. This creates a less cohesive story than what some readers might expect from a typical memoir, but expands significantly on her earlier book Battle for the President’s Elephants (see our review). Readers deeply interested in the modern treatment of African elephants by humans, as well as the way they are studied, would enjoy Love, Life, and Elephants as a casual introduction to those topics. Elephant Dawn also provides anecdotal evidence of remarkable elephant behavior also described by Lawrence Anthony, author of The Elephant Whisperer.

Elephant Dawn shares some of the same experiences as Battle for the President's Elephants: Life, Lunacy and Elation in the African Bush, even having sections that are identical to one another. It has a similar writing style and the same dark humor. Battle for the President’s Elephants is also much shorter, so readers should consider delving into Elephant Dawn’s comprehensive account instead.

Readers interested in a more comprehensive look at living in the wild with wildlife, and many of the challenges that come with it, would be much better off by starting with books by Gareth Patterson, Daphne Sheldrick, Mark and Delia Owens (authors of Cry of the Kalahari), and Kobie Krüger. The Owenses, Patterson, and Dame Sheldrick in particular give much deeper insight into front-line conservation roles from both the perspective of qualified academics doing field research and passionate citizens doing real wildlife conservation and rehabilitation.

Although Pincott is no longer directly involved in front-line elephant conservation in Zimbabwe, she has promised that she has plans to continue helping raise awareness for the plight of elephants. Concerned citizens that want to keep up-to-date with the challenges of conservation in southern Africa should follow Pincott on social media and also subscribe to freelance writer Jamie Joseph’s blog and social media as she investigates the depths of the poaching crisis.

Further Reading:

Readers who enjoy the topics of wildlife behavior and African wildlife conservation will also be interested in Gareth Patterson's several books on lion conservation, rehabilitation, and rewilding including: To Walk with Lions, Last of the Free, and My Lion's Heart: A Life for the Lions of Africa. Lawrence Anthony’s books about his own conservation experiences, among them The Elephant Whisperer and The Last Rhinos: My Battle to Save One of the World's Greatest Creatures, are also stellar memoirs that are both fascinating and insightful. Dame Daphne Sheldrick’s masterfully written memoir Love, Life, and Elephants: An African Love Story recounts a significant portion of her life and work dedicated to conserving and rehabilitating elephants in Kenya and makes excellent reading.

Kobie Krüger's The Wilderness Family is also highly recommended and depicts a warm and vibrant reality of the South African lowveld as experienced by her game warden husband and their family living inside the world-famous Kruger National Park in South Africa.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The more I read about elephants, the more amazed I am at these wonderful animals. Australian Pincott spent thirteen years in Zimbabwe studying the “Presidential Elephants.” The herd was given this name after President Robert Mugabe awarded it a presidential decree in 1990. Symbolizing Zimbabwe’s commitment to responsible wildlife management, the decree was intended to protect these elephants against future hunting and culling. She identified the various elephant family groups and named each animal with a letter appropriate name, the L group, the W group, and so on. Lady was one of her favorites; she would come right up to Sharon’s car when Sharon called her. Sharon loved these animals and had many discussions with government officials who she thought were not doing enough to protect them. She left Zimbabwe in 2014 because of the political violence there.

[Olivia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating. Memorable. Enchanting. Heart-breaking.
I have realized that as visitors we often arrive in a country content just to enjoy the advertised attractions. Elephant Dawn has made me want to dig deeper into what else goes on and to be something more than another dizzy tourist.
The wild elephants the author befriended in Zimbabwe display incredible qualities. It is no wonder she sought out their company in trying times. That they appeared to often seek refuge in her company is extraordinary too. It is fascinating reading about such personal experiences with them, to back up what now are easily gotten elephant facts from the net.
I especially love how this book is written in first person, present tense. It is easy to place yourself beside the author as if you are the one living this bizarre rather primitive life, with close human and animal friendships, experiencing such endless turbulence cycling through joy and deep-rooted heartache. African elephants, all wildlife, and the people there too, face such a dire uphill struggle for survival. They all need another new "DAWN".

[Marie-Ève22 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook. I really enjoyed learning more about the politics in Zimbabwe. It pushes me to go educate myself on the current political climate. I also loved all the elephants' stories! The audio was really good!

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. Heartbreaking. This is much more than a simple story about ellies. I feel so desperate for these ones in the African country of, now deceased dictator, Robert Mugabe. Elephants have been facing for thousands of years what we human beings face now. Except their problems are primarily man made. God bless them. God bless us all. With a great deal of time available for reading at the moment, I highly recommend this one. The final chapters will hit you hard.

[Ingrid DJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are no words enough to describe how captivating this beautiful, amazing story of the life of Sharon Pincott and her elephants is. Having lived in Zimbabwe myself I was able to relate to much she wrote about. My heart went out to her when she finally had to make the decision to leave her beloved elephants. I felt part of her pain and heartbreak for I too was forced to leave my beloved country. What a brave, courageous lady, what an amazing work you have done. I applaud you and wish you well.

[Christian Gardiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elephant Dawn's a beautiful and poignant story of Africa which took me home. Australian author Sharon Pincott's true north is Africa and she made me feel like it could be mine too. Or at least made me desperate to search for my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish despite the many heart-rending struggles for elephants. The last third of this book shook me to my core in a way that I hoped it would.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few books tagged unforgettable are but for an environment enthusiast this one is. There are whole chapters of this book now imprinted on my mind, difficult to shake. I do enjoy memoir writing when it is good as books like this can transport you to another world just as a good novel can. Add to that a wealth of subject knowledge and free reign to reveal the truths that some will not like to hear and I am in my element. Our natural world is in trouble. Not in a position to commit myself I can at least read and understand more to do with the real time struggles for elephants and others. This one was a delight to spend time with.

[Sal Blumel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully heart wrenching and memorable like I Dreamed of Africa for animals.

[Amanda Burnham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This is a must-read story! The book was made even more vivid (in fact I reread it again later) after I found the docu on Sharon Pincott's work and sensational relationship with these beautiful elephants in Zimbabwe of all places. This woman is gutsy. If you haven't seen it do yourself a favor - https://vimeo.com/231846100 (beautiful Africa, elephants, other native wildlife, Sharon & colleagues). The book itself is so much better but I loved meeting the individual elephants in person, and Sharon too, rather than having only the beautiful book images. I laughed and cried during both and feel like they're all my own very special friends. It's a big ask but please, please somehow we need to help keep them all safe.