Elephant

Description

A lavishly illustrated celebration of these glorious animals-and a poignant lament for their future Elephants are among the most beloved of all creatures. Their behavior can seem almost human, from their complex social interactions to their need to mourn their dead. They are also among the most persecuted of animals, subjected to untold cruelty at the hands of humans through the ages. In this stunningly illustrated book, Errol Fuller provides a rich and moving portrait of elephants, exploring their natural history, the legends that have grown up around them, their unique place in art and literature, and their urgent need for protection today. Fuller traces the evolution of these majestic animals from prehistoric mammoths and mastodons to today's African and Asian elephants, and looks at their behavior, herd dynamics, and social life. He examines the role of elephants in cultures around the world, from folklore and fine art to the exploitation of elephants as war machines and circus animals. Fuller also discusses the importance of conservation, warning that continued poaching and habitat degradation could send these iconic animals the way of the dodo. Featuring many evocative photos never before published, Elephant is a fittingly exquisite tribute to these breathtaking creatures.

Errol Fuller is an acclaimed writer and painter and a world authority on animal extinction and the curiosities of natural history. His many books include the award-winning Extinct Birds as well as Lost Animals: Extinction and the Photographic Record (Princeton), Dodo: From Extinction to Icon, The Great Auk, and Drawn from Paradise (with David Attenborough).

"Elephant truly is a remarkable work, replete with deeply moving and highly informative images and text."---Marc Bekoff, Animal Emotions "A beautifully illustrated tribute to one of the world's most persecuted species."---Brian Jackman, Travel Africa "Fuller's concise text, giving biological and historical background, is lively and informative."---Laurence A. Marshall, Natural History "[Fuller] has a gift of using simple and succinct language when conveying the most important points about elephants."---Lucy Brett-Crowther, International Journal of Environment Studies