INTRODUCTION You might be wondering why this book is entitled 5 Elephants . Like most books about elephants, this book is intended to provide you with some fascinating elephant facts and figures. I also want to tell you about some of the serious challenges that wild and captive elephants face. To truly understand elephants, though, we need to know more than just some basic information about how they function and live. We must also get to know them as individuals. We must learn their stories. That's why I've called this book 5 Elephants . It features the stories of five famous elephants. Two of those five elephants, Lucy and Tarra, are still alive today, and their stories continue to unfold. Tusko, Echo and Thandora, the three other elephants featured in this book, are no longer with us, but their stories and legacies live on. I hope you'll be inspired by all of them. Elephants are truly remarkable, unmistakable animals. Their huge size, giant ears, amazing trunk and incredible intelligence make them unique in the natural world. We know a lot more about elephants today than we ever did in the past. The observations of scientists who have spent many years observing wild elephants tell us that elephants are highly active, complex, wide-ranging animals that play a key role in the ecosystems they inhabit. Everyone recognizes elephants. They've been featured in stories, cartoons and movies; they've appeared in circuses, travelling shows and zoos. The elephant is one of the world's most popular animals. Throughout the years, I've visited some of the locations where wild elephants live, and I've been able to observe elephants in captivity all over the world. I've also been involved in many campaigns to help both captive and wild elephants. Through those campaigns, I've met many people who work tirelessly to help elephants. I call them the Elephant Guardians . They provide hope for elephants everywhere. Elephants need our help--now more than ever. So read on, learn and become inspired, so that you, too, can become an Elephant Guardian. Excerpted from 5 Elephants by Rob Laidlaw All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
