The Elephant Whisperer: My Life with the Herd in the African Wild

by Lawrence Anthony

Here in this ancient woodland, the acacia tree not only understands it’s under attack when browsed by antelope or giraffe, it quickly injects tannin into its leaves making them taste bitter. The tree then releases a scent, a pheromone, into the air to warn other acacias in the area of the potential danger. These neighbouring trees receive the warning and immediately start producing tannin themselves in anticipation of an attack.

They taught me that all life forms are important to each other in our common quest for happiness and survival. That there is more to life than just yourself, your own family, or your own kind.

In Africa today elephants are simply competitors in the race for the land. In the West, they are mere curiosities while the East values only their ivory.

team to far less demanding gate duties

Elephants are majestic; they are not bullies or cowards.