eleblog

” Possessing elephants was a status symbol and now it is a big source of income. The author states that if one has an elephant, an annual net income of Rs.15 lakh is assured. The cruelty meted out to domestic elephants is legion, and of late the media have strongly taken this up, but without much result. During the festive season, chained elephants subjected to brutalities are common.” - The Hindu

“Jumbo and his devoted handler lived a strange tale of celebrity, tragedy, and love.” - csmonitor.com

“Originally conceived as a coffee-table book, wildlife photographer David Paynter wanted to tell the story of an elephant’s life — but from the elephant’s point of view. He has created something far more fascinating than a mere collection of excellent photographs in this written and pictorial biography of the young African bull, Tembo Ndhlovu.” - The Times

It is fairly common in parts of Asia to encounter elephants in captivity. Note that the term used is “elephants in captivity”, not “domesticated elephants”. One typically finds elephants involved in strange situations: caparisoned and leading religious processions, moving heavy loads like tree trunks in forest camps, and playing football or riding bicycles in circuses. But these large, powerful and intelligent animals do not indulge in these alien activities of their own volition or for love of the mahout. They have been overpowered through the use of fetters, the ankus, other elephants and possibly starvation. - The Hindu

Blogcritics.org - a book review.