Secret Lives of Elephants: Birth, Death and Family in the World of the Giants

Elephants are as unique as people, with their own individual personalities and behaviors. This evocative account of years spent studying elephant behavior in the wild reveals their close-knit families, intelligent communication, and complex social interactions. Understanding elephants as individuals has powerful applications in elephant conservation and helps to close the gap between human and animal.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 304 pages
\n Publication date: 01 April 2021
\n Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
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Elephants are as unique as people, exhibiting a wide range of behaviors and characteristics. They can be clever, curious, headstrong, impulsive, shy, or sociable. Understanding elephants as individuals as well as a species is essential for appreciating their complexity and significance.

During a family outing, Dr. Hannah Mumby observed a group of elephants enjoying a swim on a hot day. She noted the grandmothers, mothers, sisters, and children exchanging noisy greetings, a constant stream of close-range vocalizations, intermittent touching, cooperative herding of babies, and frequent stopping for snacks. This close-knit family demonstrated a strong bond and interconnectedness.

However, what made this family unique was the fact that the adults weighed several tons each, while the babies waved their trunks playfully at one another. This was a herd of elephants, showcasing their incredible size and strength.

While it is widely known that elephants are intelligent, sentient beings, there is still much to be learned about their day-to-day lives and abilities. How do they communicate with one another over seemingly impossible distances? How do males spend their lives after leaving their mothers' herds? And how much do they remember?

In her lyrically written and deeply personal account of several years of field research, Mumby reverently describes her own elephant encounters, alongside an exploration of the most up-to-date discoveries about the lives of these gentle giants. She delves into how elephants live, travel, have sex, raise children, and relate to one another. Understanding elephants as individuals closes the gap between human and animal and has powerful applications in the critical field of elephant conservation.

This book was previously published in hardback as "Elephants: Birth, Death, and Family in the Lives of the Giants." It provides a comprehensive and insightful perspective on these magnificent creatures, shedding light on their behaviors, social structures, and conservation challenges. By reading this book, we can gain a deeper appreciation for elephants and work towards preserving their habitats and ensuring their long-term survival.

\n Weight: 242g\n
Dimension: 128 x 199 x 24 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780008331719\n \n