Elephant Speak A Devoted Keepers Life Among the Herd

When Roger Henneous first dons his keeper uniform and sets foot in the Oregon Zoo, he doesn't know what to expect. Across Roger's thirty-year career he discovers the joys, pains, and dangers of life in a zoo, all the while maintaining an unwavering devotion to Belle, Packy, and the rest of the Asian elephants he cares for. As their friend, Roger faces many risks--but his willingness to learn their language and speak for the herd makes Roger unique among his contemporaries. In return, the elephants give Roger a rare level of trust and respect, reminding us how much we can learn when we choose to listen.

Elephant Speak: A Devoted Keeper's Life Among the Herd takes place in a time where ethical conversations about animal comfort, safety, and enrichment in zoos are just beginning. More than an evolutionary history of zookeeping, this biography celebrates the extraordinary bonds between humans and elephants and asks what we owe elephants, where have we fallen short, and how can we move forward together.