Seeing the Elephant

Elephants are intelligent and powerful animals, and it's not surprising that humans have often formed bonds with these creatures. In Seeing the Elephant: The Ties That Bind Elephants and Humans Eric Scigliano looks at examples of our relationship with elephants through the ages.

The book starts with the prehistory of elephants, asking where mammoths had contact with early humans and whether it be possible to recreate one today. Scigliano goes on to look at how elephants have become sacred in various cultures, with a chapter on Ganesha the elephant headed god. He also describes the uses we have made of elephants. They are certainly useful for moving heavy loads, but have also been conscripted into fighting, where they can be a deciding force - who hasn't heard about Hannibal's attack on Rome? For many of though, thinking about elephants will conjure up a picture of the Big Top of the circus. In the later parts of the book Scigliano discusses our treatment of elephants, explaining how their use as an attraction in zoos and circuses often requires a rather cruel 'breaking in'. One of the things I liked about the book is that he does explain the points of view both of those who want to continue the links between elephants and humans, and those who think that we should let them live their own lives. If you're want to find out about elephants and how we treat them then you'll find plenty to interest you in this book

Note This book has also been issued with the title Love, War and Circuses: The Age Old Relationship Between Elephants and Humans