Secrets of the Savanna: Twenty-three Years in the African Wilderness Unraveling the Mysteries ofElephants and People - , Cordeli

Discover the captivating narrative of Mark and Delia Owens as they recount their final years in Africa, dedicated to safeguarding elephants, local communities, and ultimately, themselves. Trekking across precarious stick bridges and contending with swarms of tsetse flies, the Owens ventured into the untamed northern Luangwa Valley in Zambia, a breathtakingly beautiful and rugged terrain. Amidst preparations for their lion research, the reverberation of gunfire in the vicinity signaled the presence of ivory poachers, posing a grave threat to both the elephants and the nearby villagers.

Against formidable odds, Mark and Delia intervened to halt the poaching activities by assisting the villagers in finding alternative employment, establishing small enterprises, and enhancing their access to healthcare and education. Amidst their cohabitation with wild creatures, the Owens observed striking parallels between human and animal behaviors, drawing poignant comparisons between the bonding dynamics of young female animals and the competitive nature of male counterparts.

As the elephant population gradually recuperated from the detrimental effects of poaching, the Owens discerned resemblances to human societies grappling with adversity. The decimation of older elephants for their tusks resulted in the loss of invaluable generational knowledge, triggering a cascade of repercussions such as the absence of elder female guidance for single mothers and the emergence of orphaned individuals and unruly male groups. The scarcity of mature female elephants capable of assuming maternal roles remained a perplexing scientific enigma until a young orphan, affectionately named Gift, unraveled the astonishing secret of the elephants.

Following the successful cessation of local ivory poaching activities, the Owens became the new targets, compelling them to draw inspiration from the elephants and employ one of the savanna's most closely guarded secrets to ensure their survival.

• Author: Owens, Mark James
• Author: Owens, Cordelia Dykes
• Publisher: Mariner Books
• Illustration: n
• Language: ENG
• Title: Secrets of the Savanna: Twenty-three Years in the African Wilderness Unraveling the Mysteries of Elephants and People
• Pages: 00256 (Encrypted)
• On Sale: 2007-07-17
• SKU-13/ISBN: 9780618872503
• Category: Nature : General