ThoughtGallery.org > The Elephant Singers of Kenya’s Kerio Valley

The Elephant Singers of Kenya’s Kerio Valley

Don Young will tell the story of a vanishing ritual — virtually unknown to the rest of the world — that could hold the key to saving elephants and other wildlife in one of the most remote and beautiful parts of Africa. For many years, Young and his friend Senior Warden William Kimosop have studied remarkable individuals who are envoys between people and elephants. Singing ancient songs, they welcome the elephant herds (estimated to be 500-600), asking them not to destroy their fields, and to bless their children to be “as good as the elephant.” The ultimate compliment is to be told you have the “Soul of the Elephant.”

Don and William believe this ancient ritual can be a foundation to save wilderness and wildlife in the spectacularly beautiful Kerio Valley. Intertwined with the story of the Elephant Singers will be Don’s other adventures researching the explorer Captain Richard F. Burton, and Don’s discovery of an important fossil site in northern Kenya.

Donald Young is an unusual combination of outdoorsman and scholar; artist and adventurer. A professional safari guide with over 30 years experience in Africa and Asia, Don is the owner of Newland, Tarlton & Co. – the safari company of Roosevelt.

As a naturalist and conservationist, Don has traveled widely in Africa and Asia, promoting education and conservation for endangered species. As a scholar, Don is regarded as one of the world’s authorities on African explorers and has published several academic works including “The Search for the Source of the Nile.” As an artist, Don designed The Explorers Club Safari Furniture Collection and is working with legendary Explorers Club member Burt Avedon to design the ultimate Safari Jacket. Don is also a trained forensic osteologist in the field of paleo-anthropology and he discovered an important human pre-historic site in northern Kenya.











When: Mon., Oct. 17, 2016 at 6:00 pm
Where: The Explorers Club
46 E. 70th St.
212-628-8383
Price: $25
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Don Young will tell the story of a vanishing ritual — virtually unknown to the rest of the world — that could hold the key to saving elephants and other wildlife in one of the most remote and beautiful parts of Africa. For many years, Young and his friend Senior Warden William Kimosop have studied remarkable individuals who are envoys between people and elephants. Singing ancient songs, they welcome the elephant herds (estimated to be 500-600), asking them not to destroy their fields, and to bless their children to be “as good as the elephant.” The ultimate compliment is to be told you have the “Soul of the Elephant.”

Don and William believe this ancient ritual can be a foundation to save wilderness and wildlife in the spectacularly beautiful Kerio Valley. Intertwined with the story of the Elephant Singers will be Don’s other adventures researching the explorer Captain Richard F. Burton, and Don’s discovery of an important fossil site in northern Kenya.

Donald Young is an unusual combination of outdoorsman and scholar; artist and adventurer. A professional safari guide with over 30 years experience in Africa and Asia, Don is the owner of Newland, Tarlton & Co. – the safari company of Roosevelt.

As a naturalist and conservationist, Don has traveled widely in Africa and Asia, promoting education and conservation for endangered species. As a scholar, Don is regarded as one of the world’s authorities on African explorers and has published several academic works including “The Search for the Source of the Nile.” As an artist, Don designed The Explorers Club Safari Furniture Collection and is working with legendary Explorers Club member Burt Avedon to design the ultimate Safari Jacket. Don is also a trained forensic osteologist in the field of paleo-anthropology and he discovered an important human pre-historic site in northern Kenya.

Buy tickets/get more info now