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A new book by Lawrence co- writer Graham Spence

Lawrence's co-author Graham Spence has just finished a book - a bitter-sweet moment for him as it's the first one he's published without Lawrence. It's an adventure-fishing novel called The Apocalypse Chase. Link is http://www.amazon.com/The-Apocalypse-Chase-ebook/dp/B008TXBV3U

NEWS : July 2012 : Famous elephant herd in new ad

Coronation Fund Managers’ new television commercial, based on the remarkable true South African story of

conservationist Lawrence Anthony as captured in his bestseller ‘The Elephant Whisperer’ launched during

the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics later this week..

Sadly, some weeks prior to filming, Anthony passed away and so the commercial is told through the eyes and

voice of his wife, Françoise Malby-Anthony, which adds another layer of emotion to this remarkable story.

 The role of Lawrence is played by renowned South African actor-director Albert Maritz.

The elephants used in the commercial were with the full support of the Lawrence Anthony Earth Organization,

an independent, non-profit group founded by Anthony in 2003.

. You can download from the videos from www.coronation.com/trustisearned .

Those who have been interviewed include Coronation CIO, Karl Leinberger, Lawrence’s wife, Françoise,

and David Bozas, the game ranger who featured so prominently in the book THE ELEPHANT WHISPERER.

For those outside South Africa, you can view the advert and the interviews by going to Youtube on the following links :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EK0JXIdrxRs&feature=relmfu  Advert based on THE ELEPHANT WHISPERER story

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj_yETXrsW0&feature=relmfu David interview (The game ranger)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jyWSFJSxQQ&feature=relmfu Francoise interview 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGANzxwV6HI&feature=relmfu Francoise interview 2

 

 RELEASE OF LAWRENCE ANTHONY THIRD BOOK "THE LAST RHINOS"

ON THE 29TH OF MARCH 2012 IN SOUTH AFRICA

 

 

 
RELEASE OF THE FRENCH VERSION OF THE ELEPHANT WHISPERER THIS MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2011
  Lorsque l’on demanda à Lawrence Anthony, grand défenseur de la nature, de recueillir un troupeau d’éléphants sauvages et traumatisés dans sa réserve de Thula Thula en Afrique du Sud, son bon sens l'incita tout d'abord à refuser.
Quand il sut que les éléphants seraient abattus s'il ne changeait pas d'avis, il décida finalement de les sauver. Au cours des années qui suivirent, Lawrence Anthony devint petit à petit un membre de leur famille, créant des liens inaliénables avec les membres du troupeau. Il comprit alors que ces créatures exceptionnelles avaient beaucoup à lui apprendre sur la vie, la loyauté et la liberté. L'Homme qui murmurait à l'oreille des Eléphants est le récit captivant, drôle et émouvant de l'aventure vécue encore à ce jour par Lawrence Anthony auprès de ces animaux aussi impressionnants que sympathiques.
Retraçant la vie dans une réserve africaine, avec ses personnages hauts en couleurs et parfois ses drames, ce livre délicieux emportera tous les amoureux des animaux et de l'aventure dans un tourbillon d'émotions et de bonheur.  

L'auteur en quelques mots... Lawrence Anthony est un célèbre défenseur de la nature.
Il est le fondateur de The Earth Organization International et le premier Sud-Africain à avoir reçu la médaille du Jour de la Terre, médaille précédemment remise à Al Gore. Il est membre du célèbre Club des Explorateurs de New York, ce qui se justifie par les nombreuses aventures qu'il a vécues, toujours au service des animaux. Lawrence Anthony est l'auteur de « l'Arche de Babylone, l'incroyable sauvetage du zoo de Bagdad » qui a reçu le prix 30 millions d'amis en 2010, livre qui avait enthousiasmé le jury composé d'écrivains célèbres (Irène Frain, Didier Van Cauwelaert, Robert Sabatier...) dans lequel il relate son aventure en Irak au moment de la guerre, où il sauva les animaux du zoo d'une mort certaine, au milieu de la guerre et du chaos.
C'est donc un homme reconnu internationalement qui a fait l'objet de nombreux reportages sur des télévisions majeures (CNN, Trente Millions d'Amis). 

 

17th september 2010 :

  HOW TO LOOSE AN ELEPHANT IN ONE ( EASY)  LESSON
 
 
On the 17th of September 2010, at exactly midnight, Gobisa, a 6 tons 35 years old big bull elephant,  
arrived at Thula Thula after a long drive from a game reserve north of Pretoria.
 
For info, Gobisa means Push Over in Zulu. Well now, we know why...
 
Midnight : Gobisa arrives at Thula Thula and is unloaded in the boma.
At 3 AM, a phone call from game ranger Promise telling us Gobisa has broken out of the boma where he was supposed to stay for a few days to get accustomed to his new home.
The 10 000 Volt electric fence of the boma did not worry him. Same for the Thula Thula game reserve fence..
 
A Deja Vu situation for Lawrence and Francoise, as same thing happened exactly 11 years ago, when the
whole herd of 7 elephants decided to walk back to where they came from in the Kruger Park area.
 At least, they stayed 24 hours in the boma before deciding to run away..
 
Renowned South African conservationist and elephant expert Lawrence Anthony says Gobisa has given
them all sleepless nights since Sunday.
 
       
 
New to the reserve, he broke out of a holding boma on Sunday night, crashing through Thula Thula's fence,
as well as the fences of a number of parks, before being recaptured  over 20 kilometres away.
"We called Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife in and they were just fantastic; they just dropped everything they had to do,
and sent the capture team across as well as a helicopter and trucks," he said.
 
     
 
"He was wearing a radio collar so we could track him quite easily, we found him  - in fact he'd gone into a very,
very steep ravine. They darted him we got him out, lifting him out with a crane, put him back on a truck
and then they brought him back again."
 
   
 
Back home now  !
 
  
 
WELCOME BACK GOBISA !
 
Gobisa here in the boma, still a bit drowsy from the drugs and waking up slowly.
For the latest news, Gobisa broke out of the boma, again, but is now inside Thula Thula game reserve
and following the herd.  We are all hoping he will find a pretty and nice girl friend amongst the herd .. 

Lawrence says they'd brought Gobisa in to be the younger bull's new patriarch.
He says he's been released into the reserve
 
"Well he's picked up on the herd, so he's picked up on the females and he's realised there's a lot of
pretty girls on the reserve!
His attention has now switched from testing the boundaries to following the herd - so this is a very good sign."
 


 18th July : some great moments in pictures of a memorable weekend at Thula Thula Safari Lodge ..
Yvonne and Mark Conway organised a leisure weekend at Thula Thula Safari Lodge for their Managers
from Gauteng and KZN.

   

Baby rhinoThabo and Ntombi ( right) chased away from the waterhole as Mabula ( left) gets all the attention
doing his usual party trick.
 
And below, the cooking class with very attentive students

   

 
-
THULA ELEPHANTS UPSTAGED BY EAST RAND CAR DEALER

19 July 2010

NTAMBANANA

 
Renowned conservationist and critically acclaimed author, Lawrence Anthony of the famous Thula Thula Nature Reserve, was this weekend unceremoniously upstaged by East Rand car dealer, Sean Singleton, whom locals have now aptly named the “Warthog Whisperer”. Singleton’s rise to fame has highlighted the plight of feral warthogs, too often dismissed as nature’s ugliest beasts on account of their leathery skin, wiry hair and pungent smell. On Saturday morning, whilst a group of tourists were admiring the now famous herd of Thula elephants on the lawns of the lodge, Singleton approached a nearby warthog and began petting it

Tourists admiring the Thula Elephants on the lawns of the lodge. The warthog can be seen grazing nearby.
 
   

 
“The sight of Singleton lying flat on his back
being groomed by a wild warthog was too much for Anthony”

 


“Its that warm fuzzy feeling you get and you
know its meant to be…”
remarked Singleton
 
    

When we contacted Thula Thula, a staff member informed us that Mr Anthony had left on a year long wildlife excursion where he intends to live outdoors, studying nature in an attempt to enhance his communication skills with wild animals. According to a reliable source, Anthony has pitched his tent just off the N17 outside of a Brakpan GM dealership. – ZNAPPED (by K. Lanham-Love) 

 


Moments later, the warthog succumbed to Singleton’s charm and lay belly up as he stroked its flea riddled belly. Anthony, who was standing close by, could do nothing but watch as Singleton tamed the feral hog in a matter of minutes.  “One moment the little pig was foraging for food in amongst grass and Nyala droppings, the next minute he was licking Mr Singleton’s face” commented a staff member who asked not to be named.  “We think Mr Lawrence was getting angry, eish, it take Mr Lawrence 12 years to tame the elephants but this baas from that place, that place called East Rand, eish, I think maybe he can tame a lion” remarked another. 

The sight of Singleton lying flat on his back being groomed by a wild warthog was too much for Anthony, who slunk off to the bar for a much needed shot of whiskey. When approached for an interview Saturday evening, Singleton, who was now nonchalantly readjusting burning logs with his bare
hands around the boma fire, said there were only two ways really, “the East Rand way and everyone else’s way”. When pressed for an explanation, Singleton told reporters that whilst lying on the lawn with the warthog, his thoughts had trailed to lunch and the impending French cooking lesson with Franςoise Anthony.  “I heard my stomach start to growl, then moan – in fact I think it was squeaking at one point and that’s pretty much when the warthog started licking me. It was as if I was telling him to do it, you know, communicating with him just like elephants do”

Singleton revealed that he’d bonded with the hog in much the same way as he would with a customer who was thinking of buying a fleet of Isuzus. “Its that warm fuzzy feeling you get and you just know its meant to be”. Anthony could not be reached for comment. It is understood that Singleton’s warthog wooing ways have left him feeling humiliated and forlorn.
 
 
The Warthog Whisperer Sean Singleton
 

  The whole event was organised and coordinated by VICKI HOOPER Venues for Conferences in Africa  :

SPECIALIST CONFERENCE FACILITATION ORGANISATION
 
Member of   SAACI - the South African Association for the Conference Industry


That same weekend at the tented camp, a whole family reunion for a very special birthday...
The birthday Lady, Marg, met the famous herd of Thula Thula elephant up close and personal
with The Elephant Whisperer himself, Lawrence Anthony, who drove her to meet Nana
the Matriarch and her family... 

 Have a look at the review of Ross Bowers ( Greenwood Guides)  for Rhino Africa – one of the biggest
online African tour operators :
' My friend Marc Katzwinkel stayed with you over the weekend for his Gran’s 80 th birthday and
was telling me what a fabulous time he had, which inspired me to write a nice big Blog Entry for you! '

http://blog.rhinoafrica.com/2010/07/21/talking-to-the-elephant-whisperer/
 


 
FACEBOOK NEWS : Please go to the link below and stand a chance of winning
 a luxury stay at Thula Thula private Game Reserve !

 www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Big-Picture-Holiday-Giveaways/114878725223293




LINKS and RECOMMENDED SITES
 


Thonga Beach Lodge
An intimate, luxury lodge nestled on the pristine coastline of the Isimangaliso World Heritage Park. Crystal clear waters offer superb snorkeling and off-shore scuba diving. Enjoy spa treatments, forest walks, kayaking, sundowners & turtle tours.

Local Tel: 035-4741473
INT Tel: +27-35-4741473

Web : http://www.isibindiafrica.co.za/



 

Isibindi Zulu Lodge - Battlefields -

iSibindi Zulu Lodge is situated in a private game reserve in the ruggedly beautiful Zululand.

An architectural celebration of the Zulu nation, the lodge is a peaceful bushveld retreat which also offers a host of activities for our guests wanting to experience a combination of luxurious accommodation, gameviewing, battlefields and Zulu cultural experiences.

Email:  res@isibindi.co.za
Web:  http://www.isibindiafrica.co.za/
TEL : 035 474 1473


 

Isandlwana Lodge - Battlefields -
Isandlwana Lodge, a 5-star property, overlooks the site of the first major battle of the Anglo Zulu War where the Zulus defeated the British on the 22 January, 1879. Resident historian, Rob Gerrard, or one of his associates, takes guests on battlefield tours that truly bring the battles to life and the talks include human interest stories of the people involved on both sides.Other activities offered are walking trails, horse riding, birding tours, photographic safaris and authentic cultural experiences.

Email: info@isandlwana.co.za
Web: http://www.isandlwana.co.za/
Cell: 0827899544




Intaba Lodge - Hout Bay - Cape Town
Ideally located to visit Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula, Intaba Lodge is an exclusive guest house surrounded by a natural setting of rocks and flora, offering stunning views over the Cape mountains. TGSCA 4-star graded. French owned.
Tel: +27 (021) 790 6364
Fax: +27 (021) 790 6365
E.mail:barnabe@telkomsa.net
Web:http://www.intaba-lodge.com/

 

Petite Provence - Ballito - Kwazulu Natal
Petite Provence is a charming French style Guesthouse in Ballito, north of Durban, in Kwazulu Natal, set in a peaceful tropical garden, a short walk through the park to the beach.
Each room is equipped with luxurious amenities, with the option of Standard , Honeymoon, Family or self-catering suites.
Nous parlons francais.



Villa Prince Imperial - Vryheid - Kwazulu Natal
Villa Prince Imperial is situated in Vryheid, in the Zululand battlefields area. We accommodate 17 guests in 8 luxury rooms and one beautiful suite.
Tour with a National Satour Guide the battlefields of the Great Trek: Blood River, Umgungundlovu, or the Anglo-Zulu war sites: Prince Imperial Monument, Kambula, Isandlwana, and Rorke's Drift. Game viewing tours to Itala Game Reserve or tiger fishing adventure are offered. Shuttle service to the Vryheid airport. Children welcome. Gay friendly establishment. Most credit cards accepted. Nous parlons français.
Web: http://www.princeimperial.com/

 





Lidiko Lodge - St Lucia - KwaZulu-Natal
Lidiko Lodge is situated in the village of St Lucia, in the heart of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site. The dining deck overlooks the Great St Lucia Lake and is the ideal place to enjoy an African sunset or to do bird watching from. Lidiko Lodge is within walking distance from the lake, the beach, restaurants and shops.

Lidiko Lodge has 14 en-suite (with a seperate shower and bath) gardenrooms. All the rooms are fully airconditioned; have a private patio, remote controlled color TV, wallsafe, tea & coffee making facilities, and hairdryer. The rooms are stylish decorated in an Afro - Colonial style and overlook the park like garden or pool area.
Email: Lidiko@wetlands.co.za




The Palms Guesthouse - Berea - Durban - KwaZulu-Natal
The Palms Guesthouse, an exclusive 4 Star luxury graded bed and breakfast, situated on the Berea, Durban, is the ideal retreat for the leisure traveler or business executive.

The Guesthouse boasts five (5) fully appointed en-suite bedrooms with airconditioning, DSTV/Mnet, mini bar, internet enabled and reflect the luxury and comfort for which they have become renowned. A full English or Continental Breakfast is served in the dining room.
Web: http://www.thepalms.co.za/
 

http://www.yogafinder.com/  to find a yoga class or event around the world.

 
WEEKEND YOGA BUSH RETREAT IN AFRICAN SAFARI CAMP - SOUTH AFRICA - THULA THULA GAME RESERVE AND LUXURY TENTED CAMP – Zululand – Only 2 hours from Durban and 45 min from Richards Bay, in a malaria free area. Take the serenity and unspoiled beauty of the African bush and integrate it into mind and spirit through the ancient practice of yoga. What better place to regain your balance than at Thula Thula Private Game Reserve, which aptly means ‘peace’ in Zulu. Course participants will stay at the secluded and tranquil Tented Camp where they will rediscover Nature in great style and true to the African safari camp of a past era and where the peaceful essence of the African bush can be heard and felt. Weekend retreat includes Safari to view great African wildlife including elephant, leopard, rhino, buffalo and superb birdlife. /
 
 
 

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