Category Archives: Elephants

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Dear Devoted Friend – Reply to: “Dear Elephant, Sir”

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Wild elephant

The elephant – “a symbol of purity, a dream of paradise lost” (words of Romain Gary in Dear Elephant, Sir)

In 1967 Romain Gary wrote an article that LIFE magazine described as “a love letter to an old companion”.  The piece was entitled “Dear Elephant, Sir”.  Almost half a century later I, with great nervousness, have attempted a reply on behalf of the elephant.  Romain Gary signed off his letter to the elephant with the words “Your very devoted friend” and then his name.

 

Dear Devoted Friend,

Should you ever read this letter you may wonder what took me so long to reply.  I trust that you did not think that I would forget.

The reason for my letter is of course self-preservation.  I, like you, know that our destinies are linked.

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Zimbabwe’s elephants – wanted dead or alive

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Zimbabwe's elephants

Zimbabwe’s elephants

Elephants, the big-eared nomads of Africa, are in trouble. They are squeezed for space, many are slain for ivory, and others are sold into captivity.

Zimbabwe, in southern Africa, is blessed with large herds of elephants, some of the happiest on the continent … but there is danger, both from poaching and live export. The elephants are up for sale and buyers are waiting.

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Zimbabwe’s young elephants await ‘dispatch’

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Elephant calf at peace

“And foe to none, suspects no enemies, …”

Zimbabwe does not hide the fact that it has young elephants in captivity awaiting export – 27 of them between the ages of three and five.  All in this particular group are due to be flown to China.

The official reason given for the sale is that it will raise money for the country’s National Parks.  There are many who doubt that the money paid will ever benefit Zimbabwe’s wildlife.

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