By IANS,
Thrissur (Kerala) : One of Asia’s foremost elephant experts Jacob Cheeran has completed his fourth book on elephants, the first in Malayalam on the subject, which he says highlights “lesser known things about a better known animal”.
Cheeran said that his latest book which runs into nearly 300 pages talks about several unusual things about elephants.
“I would say that this book contains lesser known things about a better known animal and traces the tale of how an elephant called Jumbo was sold by the Regency Park Zoo in London to the Barnum Bailey circus,” Cheeran told IANS.
Cheeran, 68, retired in 2000 as head of the department of pharmacology and chairman of the Elephant Study Centre attached to the Kerala Agricultural University.
His previous three books were technical in nature unlike his latest work which is meant for any lover of elephants.
“I decided then that my next one would be in Malayalam because over the years many have been asking me for such a book,” said Cheeran, who is also a member of the Asian Elephants Specialist Group of World Animal Health Organisation.
His new book also traces the links Lord Buddha had with elephants and also lists out the famous elephants of the world. The book also has more than 40 pictures of this great animal.
“The book would hit the stands in the next few months as I am revising it again and again. I have also had inquiries if I can come out with an English edition of this book,” said Cheeran.