I have always had a fascination and love for elephants, and knew that one day I’d write a book about an elephant. That day came when I heard Queenie Grace’s voice in my mind, saying, Bill the Giant has died and I cry. Elephants do cry.
Queenie Grace came alive, and then Lily and the others followed. In researching the book, I found that many elephants live sad existences in captivity. I wanted to write about one who was loved . . . and then set free.
The first elephant brought to America traveled on a ship from India to New York in December 1796. Almost one hundred years later, an elephant named John L. Sullivan—“Old John”—performed a boxing act with his trainer, wearing a boxing glove on the end of his trunk. When he retired, Old John stayed on with the circus, babysitting the performers’ children and leading the elephant herd to and from the show grounds and the trains.
There have been several famous circus elephants in America, including Jumbo, who was known as the biggest elephant in captivity. He debuted at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Easter Sunday, 1882.
Some elephants have died in strange and sad ways. One such elephant was Topsy, an attraction at a circus in Coney Island, New York. Topsy had at least three abusive trainers, including the last one, who tried to feed her a lit cigarette.
Not all elephant handlers and trainers are abusive. Many love their elephants and treat them as part of the family. My fictional Queenie Grace was lucky enough to have a trainer she loved, Bill the Giant.
There has been a lot of controversy about whether or not elephants should work in circuses or live in captivity. It is now estimated that twelve to fifteen thousand of the world’s elephants are living in captivity.
Many circuses are now moving away from owning elephants. Feld Entertainment, parent company of Barnum & Bailey Circus and Ringling Brothers, retired their traveling elephants to Florida in 2016.
Some circuses and zoos are accused of mistreating elephants, confining them to tiny spaces and isolating them. Elephants are very social creatures in the wild, and they live in large, supportive family groups. Scientists say that elephants are the only animal to mourn their dead.
Some elephants don’t seem to enjoy being showcased in circuses and zoos. Sanctuaries are being established to care for retired and displaced elephants, with the largest in America being the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. The Elephant Sanctuary provides elephants with a natural habitat and individualized care. The habitat in which the elephants roam is not open to the public.
The Room to Roam sanctuary in this story is a fictional place, but many real ones exist throughout the world. To help elephants and to learn more, visit the websites below. Each and every elephant is One Amazing Elephant, and they all deserve to live with love and care.
www.elephantleague.org
www.elephants.com
www.elephantsanctuary.org
www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org
(You can foster an orphaned baby elephant!)
www.pawsweb.org
www.elephantnaturepark.org
www.desertelephant.org