One of the most amazing documentaries I’ve ever seen, Naledi: A Baby Elephant’s Tale should result in many more people joining projects to help stop the extinction of African elephants. According to Elephants without Borders, Africa loses 96 elephants a day now. This marvelous film wisely uses the true story of Naledi, a baby elephant orphaned at one month, to gain our attention and empathy regarding this serious problem.

Naledi, which means “star” in Setswana, is definitely the star of the show! Throughout her travails, her rambunctious and loving personality shines through. Naledi was fortunate to be born in a rescue camp in Botswana, mostly because of the caring men who are there to look after her herd and to save her. The poignant scenes showing this orphaned baby elephant and her caretakers interacting can’t be described in mere words. I’ll just say that they touched me deeply.            

Stop the hunt for ivory, please.

It’s important this crime should cease.

The film to watch is Naledi.

It warms your heart but makes you cry.

Elephants need their tusks much more

than people, whether rich or poor.   

These creatures also need some space

not taken by the human race.

Naledi tells a story true

in this tale of a baby new.

Orphaned, Naledi will not live

without someone with love to give.

The African elephant plight

is simply not a pretty sight.

Naledi makes us all aware

and also hopes to make us care.  

To find out more about Naledi: A Baby Elephant’s Tale, go the film’s official website by clicking here. In addition, you can check out the Elephants without Borders website at this link, and the movie also has a Facebook page.  

This splendid documentary, directed by Ben Bowie (Aliens: Are We Alone?) and Geoffrey Luck (Mind of a Giant), was produced by Vulcan Productions. It is now available on Netflix.

Save the elephants, and then you save the forest – and then you save yourself. --- Mark Shand

Elephants have the largest brains of any mammal on the face of the Earth. They are creative, altruistic and kind. --- Ingrid Newkirk

Nature’s grand masterpiece, an Elephant. --- John Donne

Elephants and grandchildren never forget. --- Andy Rooney