This book was very much a collaborative effort. I have already mentioned the invaluable contribution made by Dr Lucy Bates and Dr Graeme Shannon and have listed many of the organisations that have helped me to research this book. I think it’s clear to the reader that such a vast topic as the history, both ancient and modern, of an entire specie, as well as a summary of elephants’ biology, psychology and place in ecology requires an enormous amount of background reading.
There are many people that I must thank for their advice, help and assistance along the way. This journey really began way back in the early 1990s, when my father took me to meet the late David Shepherd, and it’s to him that I owe my fascination with elephants.
The planning for such a mammoth task (excuse the pun) took many years of research, field trips and expeditions and I would especially like to thank Charlie Mayhew and Mary-Jane Attwood at the Tusk Trust, who have very generously put me in touch with many of their contacts throughout Africa. I’d also like to thank the team at Virunga National Park, Mike Chase at Elephants Without Borders and the staff at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya for their hospitality, as well as Nigel Winser and Shane Winser at the Royal Geographical Society.
In addition, I’d like to thank the team at October Films for producing such a wonderful series about the elephant migration in Botswana for Channel 4 and Animal Planet, especially Alexis Giradet for being such a good director and entertaining company. My utmost appreciation as well goes to all those who have accompanied me on my elephant journeys over the years: Dave Luke, Neil Bonner, Simon Buxton, Will Charlton, Alberto Caceres, Chris Mahoney, Hardus Vermaak, Parker Brown, Beki Henderson, Mike Holding, Tania Jenkins, Gareth Flemix, Kane Motswana, Boston Ndoole, Max Graham, Mike McCartney, Ruthie Markus, Pete Meredith, Dave Southwood, Richard Harvey, Graham McCulloch, Anna Songhurst, my brother Pete, and my parents Levison and Janice Wood.
I am indebted to all those that helped with the research and editorial process of the book: Kate Harrison, Charlotte Tottenham, Ash Bhardwaj, and Tash Turgoose for her fantastic illustrations.
I am grateful too for the support of all those companies and organisations that have helped out over the years: Global Rescue, The Belmond Group, Nomad Travel, Taylor Morris, Leica Cameras, Belstaff, IWC Watches and Oliver Sweeney.
As ever, I owe the book to my fabulous agent Jo Cantello, and Rupert Lancaster at my publisher, Hodder & Stoughton, as well as all of the team involved, especially Rebecca Mundy, Cameron Myers and Barry Johnston.
Finally, my gratitude to the people of Africa for their generosity and kindness, and in particular the inspirational individuals and teams who work in the world of conservation to help protect not only elephants, but all species.
