Keepers of the Ark: An Elephants View of Captivity [Hardcover]

R. J. Ryan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1999

For many years, elephants have been exhibited in zoos and parks all over the world. This is the true story of how they were cared for, handled, and trained during the time the author worked as an elephant keeper at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. For the first time, the public can get a behind the scenes look at the daily life of captive elephants.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The author was born on the South Side of Chicago in 1954. He moved to California in 1976 where he received his B.A. in Psychology from San Diego State University. Upon completion of his degree, he began his work with the elephants at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. He currently resides back in the Chicagoland area.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 184 pages
• Publisher: Xlibris Corp; 1 edition (December 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738806889
• ISBN-13: 978-0738806884
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,349,094 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A behind the scenes look at elephant training and captivity, May 12, 2000

By 

Paul MacKenzie - See all my reviews

This review is from: Keepers of the Ark: An Elephants' View of Captivity (Paperback)

This books reveals what most people -- who have ever cared to ask -- know what is involved in keeping and maintaining elephants in captivity.

This author's behind the scenes look at the inherent cruelty involved in most elephant related training practices is especially applicable when elephants are trained for rides and circus type acts (even if it is not called a circus).

I believe that anyone who frequents zoos or circuses needs to read this book to make a more informed decision on the PR campaigns and practices they are supporting by buying tickets for admission.

We are told about the education and conservation that they purport to support, but is this true for the mass majority of them?

Read it and really find out "When Elephants Weep"

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Congratulations to author for speaking out, November 19, 2004

By 

Daniel Ferguson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Keepers of the Ark: An Elephants' View of Captivity (Paperback)

I found this book to be nothing short of a gripping and devestating account of the dilemma facing captive elephants and their keepers. Ryan writes out of highly personal convinction and candor. The result is an intimate and revealing memoir I found difficult to put down. This is not a comprehensive guide to elephant captivity or training methods and should not be purchased as such. Instead, it should be read as one man's experience and eventual confrontation with a sad and pervasive mentality surrounding treatment of captive animals. Ryan succeeds in making us (those of us with compassion for our fellow animals) frustrated, horrified and desperate to believe in an alternative to violent methods of keeping elephants.

My hearty congratulations to the author for his courage. Essential reading for policy makers, animal keepers and those frequenting zoos. There must be a better way!

Daniel Ferguson
Montreal, Canada

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book!, August 6, 2011

By 

Britta (California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Keepers of the Ark: An Elephants' View of Captivity (Paperback)

I am so happy that someone who has worked for the Zoological Society of San Diego had the courage to stand up to this organization and expose the truth. As a former employee of 12 years, I know first hand of the abuse, neglect and mismanagement of animals that goes on on a regular basis. I worked in one of the shows and have seen animals hit, worked to exhaustion and withheld food in order to get them to perform. People need to realize that zoos are nothing more than a money making business under the guise of conservation, education and research. Thank you Mr. Ryan for speaking the truth and standing up to the "Evil Empire."