The Elephants of Thula Thula: 3 (Elephant Whisperer) by Françoise Malby-Anthony
Françoise Malby-Anthony . Unknown Year . English
A powerful, gripping story about an extraordinary herd of elephants and the woman dedicated to keeping them safe. ‘Somehow, the elephants got into my soul, and it became my life’s work to see them safe and happy. There was no giving up on that vision, no matter how hard the road was at times.’ Françoise Malby-Anthony is the owner of a game reserve in South Africa with a remarkable family of elephants whose adventures have touched hearts around the world. The herd’s feisty matriarch Frankie knows who’s in charge at Thula Thula, and it’s not Francoise. But when Frankie becomes ill, and the authorities threaten to remove or cull some of the herd if the reserve doesn’t expand, Françoise is in a race against time to save her beloved elephants... The joys and challenges of a life dedicated to conservation are vividly described in The Elephants of Thula Thula. The search is on to get a girlfriend for orphaned rhino Thabo – and then, as his behaviour becomes increasingly boisterous, a big brother to teach him manners. Françoise realizes a dream with the arrival of Savannah the cheetah―an endangered species not seen in the area since the 1940s―and finds herself rescuing meerkats kept as pets. But will Thula Thula survive the pandemic, an invasion from poachers and the threat from a mining company wanting access to its land? As Françoise faces her toughest years yet, she realizes once again that with their wisdom, resilience and communal bonds, the elephants have much to teach us.
Categories: Life Sciences
About the Author
Françoise Malby Anthony was born in the south of France and moved to South Africa in 1987 after meeting in London her late husband, conservationist and international bestselling author Lawrence Anthony. In 1998, they transformed a rundown hunting reserve in Zululand into Thula Thula Game Reserve, now renowned for its commitment to wildlife conservation and ethical eco-tourism. After Lawrence’s passing in 2012, Françoise continued and expanded his legacy. She founded the Thula Thula Rhino Fund and the South African Conservation Fund, established a wildlife rehabilitation centre and volunteer academy, and led the expansion of vital elephant habitat. Today, she manages Thula Thula and its two safari lodges with a dedicated team of 65 staff, with all conservation efforts funded through responsible tourism. Françoise is the author of three internationally acclaimed books. An Elephant in My Kitchen is her deeply personal memoir, continuing the story of The Elephant Whisperer, and recounting the challenges, heartbreak and humour of life in the African bush after the loss of her husband. Her second book, The Elephants of Thula Thula shares captivating stories of the reserve’s elephants and wildlife, celebrating resilience, conservation successes and coexistence with the wild. Her latest book, Dining with Elephants, is a unique blend of memoir and culinary storytelling, combining true bush-life adventures with French-inspired recipes created alongside her Zulu kitchen team — a celebration of coexistence, creativity and life lived close to nature. Françoise’s work has earned her international recognition, including the Chevalier de l’Ordre national du Mérite from the French government, in honour of her contribution to wildlife conservation.
