Research
I did a lot of research for this novel. I’d like to share some links and facts I found particularly helpful.
The Real Events
- “The Delinquents: Evidence Points To A Gang Of Young Elephants” CBS News, September 22, 2000
- “An Elephant Crackup?” By Charles Siebert, The New York Times, October 8, 2006
- Concept Elephant Breakdown by G.A. Bradshaw, Allan N. Schore et al. Nature
- “Father Figure” The Honolulu Advertiser, June 12, 2006
It Continues
- “Leakey Backing for Elephant Cull” By Richard Black BBC News March 17, 2008
- South Africa to Resume Elephant Culling: End of 13-Year Ban Follows Large Growth in Herds; Opponents Threaten Tourism Boycotts” by Craig Timberg, The Washington Post, February 26, 2008
Elephant Behavior
- “Father Figure” The Honolulu Advertiser, June 12, 2006
- Elephants – Spy In The Herd BBC Documentary
- ElephantVoices
- The Behavior Guide to African Mammals by Richard Estes, ISBN 978-0520080850
Flora
Since elephants spend about 90% of their time eating, it was important to make sure this was well-researched. I want to offer a special thank you to Guin Zambatis at South African National Parks for answering my questions about what elephants like to eat and for providing these research documents.
- Trees and Shrubs in Kruger National Park
- “The landscapes of the Kruger National Park” by Dr Gertenbach (1983)
- “Elephant Effects on Biodiversity: An Assessment of Current Knowledge and Understanding as a Basis for Elephant Management in SANParks”
- Elephants impact on biodiversity – look at section on plants utilized by elephants (pg 191)
- Trees and Shrubs of Mpumalanga and Kruger National Park by Schmidt, E. et al (2002) ISBN 1-919777-30-X
- PlantZAfrica
The Terrain