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Sharon Pincott

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Arnie1000 (talk | contribs) at 11:37, 22 January 2017. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

  • Comment: Once the changes are made, I'll accept but I also want to note to remove any interviews from the external links section as the current existing ones in the article itself, will suffice especially the reviews ones since those are particularly convincing. SwisterTwister talk 00:16, 20 December 2016 (UTC)
  • Comment: This is in fact better but, at the "Book reviews" section, put it in as "She has been reviewed by [publication name], [publication name], etc." instead of simply listing all of the URLs, as listing it in actual sentences will help for consistency and ease. After this, I will then accept. SwisterTwister talk 22:52, 19 December 2016 (UTC)
  • Comment: Unless you have major book reviews, there's still nothing for Wikipedia-based policy notability here. SwisterTwister talk 17:52, 12 December 2016 (UTC)
Sharon Pincott
in Hwange, Zimbabwe, 2012
Born
Sharon Schulz

May 1962
Queensland, Australia
Occupations
Notable work
  • Elephant Dawn
  • All the President's Elephants (La Gardienne des Éléphants)
  • Battle for the President's Elephants
  • The Elephants and I
Websitesharonpincott.com

Sharon Pincott, an Australian, is a specialist in the field of African elephant behaviour, and also a highly acclaimed author of five books.

Together with Cynthia Moss and Iain Douglas-Hamilton, Pincott is one of only a few who have worked on a full-time dedicated basis, in the field for over a decade undertaking in-depth monitoring of a single clan of wild elephants.

Her conservation work and deep connections with wild elephants in Africa are the subject of an award-winning international Documentary film, in which she features as herself.

Works and related awards

Pincott grew up in the small town of Grantham, Queensland in the Lockyer Valley Region in Australia's east. She originally worked in the field of Information Technology (IT) and progressed to the position of National Director of IT for Ernst & Young Australia based in Sydney.[1] She then worked as an IT consultant in New Zealand and Australia prior to her move to elephants in Zimbabwe in March 2001 when she was 38 years old.

Pincott worked alone, on a full-time voluntary basis,[2][3] for 13 years (2001-2014) with the clan of wild, free-roaming, elephants known as the Presidential Elephants of Zimbabwe on land bordering the Main Camp entrance to Hwange National Park. She acquired a reputation for being able to "talk to the elephants".[4] In between monitoring, recording and helping to protect and save[5] the Presidential Elephants, Pincott started to write in an effort to raise increased awareness for these elephants, and ultimately became the author of three published books: The Elephants and I (Jacana Media, South Africa 2009), Battle for the President's Elephants (Jacana Media, South Africa 2012) and Elephant Dawn (first published by Allen & Unwin, Australia 2016, and then by Jacana Media, South Africa 2016). In addition, she is also the author of two earlier self-published elephant works, In An Elephant's Rumble (2004, ISBN:978-0-7974-2864-5) and A Year Less Ordinary (2006, ISBN:978-0-7974-3166-9).

In 2009, eight years after arriving in Zimbabwe, Pincott was appointed South Africa Getaway magazine's 'Elephant Ambassador in Africa' "in recognition of her courageous work with wildlife in Hwange",[6] which strengthened her notoriety with elephants in Africa. It was following the publication of The Elephants and I in 2009 that Pincott was credited with being "the Joy Adamson of Zimbabwe",[7] and comparisons were made with Adamson's 1960 book Born Free.[8] Renowned conservationist and OBE for services to the conservation of wildlife, David Shepherd (artist), endorsed The Elephants and I highly[3] in his review printed on the book's first page, as did world renowned elephant expert Cynthia Moss on its back cover. South Africa's longest running nature television program, 50/50, broadcast a lengthy (8 minute) interview with Pincott on 11 May 2009 on SABC 2 and featured footage showing what they described as her "intimate relationship with these elephants".[9] Pincott subsequently came to the attention of Natural History Unit Africa and became the subject of the award-winning international documentary titled All the President's Elephants.[10]

This one-hour All the President's Elephants documentary was filmed with Pincott in Hwange in 2011, by the South African production company Triosphere.[11][12][13] It is the story of Pincott's life, work and intimate relationship with the Presidential Elephants of Zimbabwe, showcasing these elephants and some of the problems they face. It also features her work recommending and encouraging President Robert Mugabe to reaffirm his commitment to this flagship clan of elephants, which bears his identity. The subsequent 'Presidential Decree Reaffirmation' ceremony, attended by then-Minister of the Environment Francis Nhema[14] on behalf of President Robert Mugabe, was held in Hwange in August 2011 and was included in the filming. During an interview with Pincott in 2013 ScreenAfrica - Africa's leading broadcast and film publication - called the film "touching and profound...beautifully emphasis[ing] the deep relationship between Pincott and the elephants".[15] This documentary focusing on Pincott's wild elephant work and relationships won 'Outstanding Contribution to Nature' in 2013, with the judges commenting how "very moving" it was "to see how closely people and elephants can be mentally connected", and expressing their respect and appreciation for Pincott's elephant conservation work.[16] Among other nominations and selections including 'Best TV Wildlife Program' at the South African Film and Television Awards 2013,[17] it was shortlisted as a finalist in the prestigious 2016 International Elephant Film Festival[18] – where the world's best elephant films from the previous nine years were celebrated. This event, which involved both the United Nations (UN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), was organised to raise global awareness of the various challenges facing the African and Asian elephants, as a highlight of UN World Wildlife Day 2016.[19] The distinguished panel of international judges included the United States Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, South Africa's Minister of Environmental Affairs and the Director-General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

When All the President's Elephants screened on France 5 television, its name was changed to La Gardienne des Éléphants,[20] - The Elephant Guardian - matching the name Pincott was frequently called in Zimbabwe.[21] She was also well-known as Mandlovu, meaning 'Mother Elephant'[22] in the local language.

Other significant accolades and articles

Pincott's latest book, Elephant Dawn, was released in June 2016, after she had left Zimbabwe which allowed her to write without restraint. On its first page, Cynthia Moss credits Pincott with having risked so much for elephants, endorsing the book highly alongside award-winning journalist Caroline Jones (Order of Australia) who also positively endorsed it. It was reviewed enthusiastically by the CEO of Africa's premier wildlife magazine, Africa Geographic, with the inclusion of a video endorsement.[23] Following its release Pincott was interviewed live on Australia's Seven Network by The Daily Edition (Australian TV program)[24], and also later on The Morning Show (TV program)[25] and Seven News.[26] The book's release also prompted an article on Pincott's elephant work in the October-November issue of Forbes Woman Africa magazine,[27] among others.

Pincott has been credited with having become "to elephants what Dian Fossey and Jane Goodall are to gorillas and chimps",[28] as a result of her long period of immersion fieldwork with a single clan of wild animals, one that she formed an extraordinary bond with, as they did; all of these women having arrived in Africa untrained. Pincott chose to use the popular press (as well as her books and documentary) to spread awareness, in preference to working towards a scientific degree.

Her elephant conservation work has been profiled in National Geographic,[29]BBC Wildlife[30] and Africa Geographic[31]. She has been interviewed for numerous other publications and newspapers, including Intrepid Explorer magazine, South Africa[32] The Zimbabwean newspaper,[33] The Sydney Morning Herald [34] Daily Mail UK and Australia[35] and Travel Africa magazine,[36] thereby reaching a wide and varied audience.

The Zimbabwe situation at the time

Pincott's 13 years in Zimbabwe were some of the worst in its volatile history - during the period of Land reform in Zimbabwe and rampant Corruption in Zimbabwe under the rule of ZANU-PF's President Robert Mugabe - during which time Pincott endured years of repeated intimidation[37][38], various threats[2][39] and physical assault[40] as she fought for the well-being of these elephants and their land areas. Among numerous other incidents, Pincott was accused, in writing, by a member of the Cabinet of Zimbabwe who wanted her gone, of being a Spy[41][42] of the Australian Government "assigned with the task of frustrating Zimbabwe's land reform programme", a claim that was dismissed by other Cabinet ministers who permitted her to stay. She also discovered her name on a Wanted poster[41] publicly displayed at the local station of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, where it remained for more than 12 months despite her nearby presence. In October 2013 Pincott was part of a small team that confirmed approximately 120 elephants[43] were dead from cyanide poisoning close to Hwange National Park, as poaching and ivory smuggling worsened around the country.

Departure from Zimbabwe

Pincott left her voluntary and primarily self-funded work in Zimbabwe in October 2014,[44] frustrated by ongoing battles including private land claims in key Presidential Elephant areas,[45][46] unethical practices, unethical sport-hunters,[47] and heightened attempts at intimidation,[37] one year after Saviour Kasukuwere was controversially appointed Minister of the Environment.

Although gone from Zimbabwe, Pincott continued to be a voice for the Hwange elephants. In October 2016, two years after leaving, she publicly clarified misleading information being spread about the Presidential Elephants.[48] In November 2016, Pincott was interviewed about Zimbabwe's decision to continue to rip young elephants from their mothers and families in the wild, a practice that, as an Elephant Behavioural Specialist, she considers "in no way ethical".[49] On 23 December 2016, Pincott broke news on social media that Zimbabwe was, in the middle of the night, in the process of flying out scores of young Hwange elephants from Victoria Falls airport to zoos in China, despite repeated denials from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and the Environment Ministry that they had recently been capturing young elephants for this purpose.[50][51]

References

  1. ^ Tom Threadingham, Gatton, Lockyer & Brisbane Valley Star (17 May 2016) http://www.gattonstar.com.au/news/granthams-wildlife-warrior/3025747/ Australia
  2. ^ a b John Asquith, Community Environment Network (30 December 2016) http://www.cen.org.au/projects/land-for-wildlife/regional-provider-news/473-elephant-dawn-by-sharon-pincott-allen-and-unwin-reviewed-by-john-asquith Australia
  3. ^ a b Robert Alvarez, Alvarez Galloso News Hour (4 April 2009) https://alvarezgalloso.com/2009/04/04/new-book-the-elephant-and-i-by-sharon-pincott/ USA
  4. ^ Lawson Mabhena, Sunday News (7 August 2011) http://www.slideshare.net/STE-SA/talking-to-elephants Zimbabwe
  5. ^ Africa Geographic Editorial, Africa Geographic (29 August 2012) http://africageographic.com/blog/more-battles-for-the-presidential-elephants-of-zimbabwe/ South Africa
  6. ^ Editor (November 2009), Introducing Getaway's 'Elephant Ambassador in Africa'; A life in love with elephants, Getaway magazine, South Africa p.43
  7. ^ Cape Librarian, (January/February 2011)The elephants and I: pursuing a dream in troubled Zimbabwe, South Africa
  8. ^ Editor (June 2009), The Secret meets Born Free; A review of The Elephants and I. British Airways Comair Inflight Horizon's magazine, p. 99.
  9. ^ Producer (May 2009), television segment on CD, Interview with Sharon Pincott, Author of The Elephants and I, 50/50 South Africa
  10. ^ Off the Fence Production Company (2012) http://offthefence.com/Brand/1871/all-the-presidents-elephants All the President's Elephants, 60 minute, South Africa
  11. ^ Triosphere Filmmakers, Documentaries, All the President's Elephants http://triosphere.tv/work/ South Africa
  12. ^ NHU Africa (April 2012) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO5gODUFdoc All the President's Elephants trailer, South Africa
  13. ^ Traveller24, News24 (8 August 2016) http://traveller24.news24.com/Explore/Bush/watch-zimbabwean-ellie-with-fashion-envy-20160808 South Africa
  14. ^ Bulawayo Bureau, The Herald (2 August 2011), http://www.herald.co.zw/president-renews-pledge-to-protect-elephant-herd/ Zimbabwe
  15. ^ Martie Bester, Screen Africa (14 March 2013) http://www.screenafrica.com/page/news/film/1575316-All-the-Presidents-Elephants#.WE-WaSKz-M8 South Africa
  16. ^ The International News and Information Resource for Wildlife Filmmakers (11 August 2013) http://www.wildlife-film.com/features/JWFF-Winners-2013.html 20. Outstanding Contribution to Nature - All the President's Elephants
  17. ^ Screen Africa, South African Film & Television Awards (2013) http://www.screenafrica.com/pls/cms/iac.page?p_t1=2054&p_t2=4718&p_t3=0&p_t4=0&p_dynamic=YP&p_content_id=1521035&p_site_id=103 All the President's Elephants Nominees: Best Director of a Wildlife program + Best Editor + Best Cinematographer + Best TV Wildlife Program
  18. ^ International Elephant Film Festival, Finalists and Winners (2016) http://internationalelephantfilmfestival.org/finalists--winners.html African Voices, All the President's Elephants
  19. ^ Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (3 March 2016) https://cites.org/eng/news/pr/international_elephant_film_festival_celebrates_worlds_best_elephant_films_26022016 All the President's Elephants
  20. ^ France 5, http://www.tv-replay.fr/la-gardienne-des-elephants/ La Gardienne des Éléphants Replay
  21. ^ Bulawayo Bureau, The Herald (2 August 2011) http://www.herald.co.zw/president-renews-pledge-to-protect-elephant-herd/ Zimbabwe
  22. ^ Jane Fields in Zimbabwe, The Scotsman (2 May 2014) http://www.scotsman.com/news/world/zimbabwe-mama-elephant-s-farewell-to-doomed-herd-1-3396331, Scotland
  23. ^ Africa Geographic (22 August 2016) http://africageographic.com/blog/book-review-elephant-dawn/ USA
  24. ^ The Daily Edition, Yahoo!7 Featured Video (26 May 2016) https://au.tv.yahoo.com/the-daily-edition/video/watch/31701899/sharon-pincotts-life-in-the-african-wilderness/#page1 Sharon Pincott's life in the African wilderness, as told in her book Elephant Dawn, Australia
  25. ^ The Morning Show, Channel 7 (9 September 2016) https://au.tv.yahoo.com/the-morning-show/video/watch/32574253/the-extraordinary-life-of-an-elephant-whisperer/#page1 Sharon Pincott speaks to The Morning Show about spending 13 years in Zimbabwe protecting elephants, Australia
  26. ^ Channel 7 News (18 September 2016) https://www.regime.press/2016/09/18/elephant-dawn-sharon-pincotts-exciting-new-book Queensland, Australia
  27. ^ Thandi Xaba, Forbes Woman Africa (Oct/Nov 2016) http://www.magzter.com/ZA/ABN-Publishing/Forbes-Woman-Africa/Business/ 13 Years Living Among Wild Elephants; Australian Sharon Pincott traded her lucrative career for a life with 500 wild elephants in Zimbabwe p.73
  28. ^ Don Pinnock, Daily Mavrick (20 December 2016) https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-12-20-elephant-dawn-the-high-cost-of-hanging-out-with-elephants/#.WFnoHyKz-M8 South Africa
  29. ^ Christina Russo, National Geographic (12 May 2014) http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2014/05/12/the-fate-of-the-presidential-elephants-of-zimbabwe-a-conversation-with-sharon-pincott/ A Voice for Elephants USA
  30. ^ Mark Stratton, Discover Wildlife, Wildlife and photography at its best from BBC Wildlife Magazine (24 May 2011) http://discoverwildlife.com/travel/elephant-watching-zimbabwe All the President's Elephants UK
  31. ^ Africa Geographic Editorial (22 May 2014) http://africageographic.com/blog/zimbabwes-presidential-elephants-in-peril/ South Africa
  32. ^ Roy Watts, Intrepid Explorer magazine, South Africa (4 August 2013) http://www.intrepidexplorer.co.za/2013/08/magnificent-obsession/ South Africa
  33. ^ Staff Reporter, The Zimbabwean (23 November 2016) http://thezimbabwean.co/2016/11/hwange-elephant-captures-discussion-sharon-pincott/ Zimbabwe
  34. ^ Amy Mitchell-Whittington, The Sydney Morning Herald (11 June 2016) http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/queensland-woman-ditches-corporate-life-for-13year-battle-to-save-elephants-20160610-gpgr5e.html Australia
  35. ^ Sophie Haslett, Daily Mail (6 June 2016) Meet the woman who traded a corporate life to live among elephants in a hut in the African wilderness for 13 years http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3621079/Meet-woman-spent-13-years-living-elephants-African-wilderness.html Australia/UK
  36. ^ Kate Eckman, Travel Africa magazine, Elephant Ambassador (October 2009) http://www.cfuzim.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=522:elephant-ambassador&catid=51:newspaper-clippings&Itemid=92 UK
  37. ^ a b Don Pinnock, Daily Maverick (20 December 2016) https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-12-20-elephant-dawn-the-high-cost-of-hanging-out-with-elephants/#.WFnoHyKz-M8 South Africa
  38. ^ Prosper Ndlovu, The Chronicle (3 June 2014) http://www.chronicle.co.zw/us-blocks-mat-north-safari-hunting/ Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
  39. ^ Martie Bester, Screen Africa magazine (March 2013) http://www.screenafrica.com/pls/cms/iac.page?p_t1=2054&p_t2=4714&p_t3=0&p_t4=0&p_dynamic=YP&p_content_id=1575316&p_site_id=103 South Africa
  40. ^ Charlotte Lam, The Chronicle (27 May 2016) http://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/the-grantham-woman-who-fought-for-elephants/3034520/#/0 Toowoomba, Australia
  41. ^ a b Roy Watts, Intrepid Explorer magazine (4 August 2013) http://www.intrepidexplorer.co.za/2013/08/magnificent-obsession/ South Africa
  42. ^ Craig Tansley, The Australian Financial Review (9 January 2015) http://www.afr.com/lifestyle/travel/world/escaping-the-corporate-rat-race-20150108-12kmf9 Australia
  43. ^ Shelly Cox, Zambezi Traveller (8 December 2013) http://www.zambezitraveller.com/hwange/conservation/hwange-elephants-%E2%80%93-securing-their-future Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
  44. ^ Ann Richard, Sunshine Coast Daily, Weekend Magazine Cover and Feature Story (18 June 2016) http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/australian-woman-spends-13-years-fighting-for-elep/3046518/ Queensland, Australia
  45. ^ Adam Cruise, Green Action News (2 April 2014) http://greenactionnews.net/blog/2014/04/02/zimbabwes-presidential-elephants-embroiled-in-a-new-saga/ South Africa
  46. ^ ZimEye (18 September 2016) http://www.zimeye.net/elephant-dawn-sharon-pincotts-new-book/ Zimbabwe
  47. ^ Alex Bell, The Zimbabwean (23 April 2014) http://thezimbabwean.co/2014/04/hunting-of-zim-presidential-elephants/ Zimbabwe
  48. ^ The Zimbabwean (31 October 2016) http://thezimbabwean.co/2016/10/pincott-speaks-presidential-eles/ Zimbabwe
  49. ^ Staff Reporter, The Zimbabwean (23 November 2016) http://thezimbabwean.co/2016/11/hwange-elephant-captures-discussion-sharon-pincott/ Zimbabwe
  50. ^ Staff Reporter, The Zimbabwean (27 December 2016) http://thezimbabwean.co/2016/12/thirty-five-hwange-elephants-flew-victoria-falls-china-flight-hell/ Zimbabwe
  51. ^ Christina Russo and Adam Cruise, The Guardian (24 December 2016) https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/dec/23/zimbabwe-ships-live-elephants-to-wildlife-parks-in-china USA

Additional book reviews

In excess of 40 Editorial Reviews and Endorsements of Pincott's three published books, Elephant Dawn, The Elephants and I and Battle for the President's Elephants, have been collated here. A collection of these are printed in each of Pincott's three books, published by Jacana Media South Africa (publisher of all three books), and Allen&Unwin Australia (original publisher of Elephant Dawn).

Elephant Dawn

  • Holt-Biddle, David (13 November 2016). "From my Hide: Elephant dawn". South Coast Herald. Port Shepstone, South Africa. Archived from the original on 8 January 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  • Le Febvre, Marleen (26 June 2016). "Book Review: Elephant Dawn by Sharon Pincott". News Section. WAR - Wildlife At Risk International. Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Archived from the original on 7 January 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  • Boom, Romi (7 December 2016). "Top 10: Wild's best reads for summer 2016". Books Section. Wild magazine. Salt River, South Africa. Archived from the original on 7 January 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  • Fabris, Ewa (28 November 2016). "Book Review - Elephant Dawn". Writers Write. South Africa. Archived from the original on 7 January 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  • Palmer, Trish (5 June 2016). "Elephant Dawn". Blue Wolf Reviews. Archived from the original on 8 January 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  • Anonymous contributor (30 November 2016). "Books as Christmas Gifts". Book Reviews. Ballarat, Victoria, Australia: The Ballarat Miner News. Archived from the original on 14 December 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2017. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help); Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  • Harley, Diana (5 September 2016). "Elephant Dawn – the inspirational story of thirteen years living with elephants in the African wilderness by Sharon Pincott". Far South Coast Readers. New South Wales, Australia. Archived from the original on 8 January 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help); no-break space character in |title= at position 116 (help)
  • Jain, Ayushi; Thomas, Taylor (2 June 2016). "Elephant Dawn". Indulge Magazine. West End, Queensland, Australia: Queensland Magazines. Archived from the original on 7 January 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

Battle for the President's Elephants

The Elephants and I

External links


Category:Australian writers Category:Australian women writers Category:Memoirists Category:Australian memoirists Category:Australian conservationists Category:People from Queensland Category:People from South East Queensland Category:1962 births Category:Conservation in Zimbabwe Category:Conservation in Africa Category:Natural history of Zimbabwe Category:African literature Category:Zimbabwean literature Category:Living people Category:Nature books Category:Nature writers Category:Travel photographers Category:Nature Category:Travel Category:Documentary films about Africa Category:Films set in Zimbabwe Category:Writers about Africa Category:Books about Africa

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