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Elephants, writes German wildlife photographer Reinhard Künkel, are strange creatures. "Despite their size," he writes, "elephants by no means claim undisputed precedence in all their dealings with other animals. The privileges they might derive from their awesomeness and strength they are often too gentle and peaceable to claim." Yet an elephant that makes room for an annoyingly chiding pair of crested cranes one minute will defend its territory against a curious human the next, and, as Künkel relates, some of the images in this fine suite of photographs were the result of hair-raising negotiations with elephants on their native turf. Few wildlife photographers have worked in such close proximity with their subjects, as he notes in some of the wry autobiographical vignettes that open his book, and Künkel's 120-plus color plates capture elephants in all aspects of their daily lives: eating, bathing, traveling, playing, fighting, and, well, making other elephants. Künkel has spent many years among elephants throughout East Africa, and his familiarity with their ways affords his readers an exceptionally fine experience in armchair nature travel.
--Gregory McNamee
From Library Journal
Noted wildlife photographer K?nkel got up close and personal with elephants for 30 years before assembling this volume. In addition to more than 120 stunning color photos, the volume includes K?nkel's updated opening essay on the state of the elephant today and what their chances are of survival. A gorgeous volume that is still available for its 1982 price. (LJ 10/1/82)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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