The elephant doctor of India

Transforming notes taken during several extended visits and interviews into an anecdotal narrative, Chodosh profiles Kushal Konwar Sarma, a veterinarian from Assam who specializes in elephants. Whether administering mega enemas, organizing a hoist to get an injured pachyderm safely back on its feet, or hurrying to sedate and recapture a killer bull in musth--a mating-season hormonal frenzy--before authorities can order it shot, Dr. Sarma brings such open affection for the animals to his challenging line of work that readers can't help but respond in kind. Assam is one of the last places with a viable population of wild Asian elephants, and along with general background observations about elephant behavior and anatomy, the author both describes current conservation efforts (like keeping greenways open between the area's immense tea plantations so that migratory groups will find food and clean water) and suggests ways of supporting those efforts from the Western side of the world. And while vividly showing the doctor in action treating wild, working, and even circus elephants, she doesn't shy away from frankly inviting readers to examine their own feelings about keeping elephants captive. Whatever those feelings may be, these encounters make riveting reading. The doctor poses fetchingly with some of his "patients" in the sparse assortment of black-and-white photos.

Gr 4--7--Dr. Kushal Konwar Sarma, an innovative Indian veterinarian specializing in the care of elephants, is the purported subject of this title, but the Asian elephant takes the lead in this work that combines adventure, biography, and scientist-in-the-field observations. Chodosh illuminates the life of Sarma through episodes involving various elephants and his groundbreaking work to learn how to treat them and how to encourage their conservation. Stories of Sarma working to save captive and wild elephants are vividly described; scientific information is woven throughout. Black-and-white photographs accompany the text. Readers join rescue missions that are exciting, dangerous, and heartwarming. The plight of the Asian elephant is described in detail. The controversies around keeping these creatures in captivity are openly discussed as well as the challenges of environmental changes that manifested because of tea plantations. Sarma's connection to and empathy for these complicated, engaging animals are infectious. Readers who want to make a connection with the Asian elephant will not be disappointed in this absorbing read. VERDICT This engaging narrative, which is part biography, part veterinary science, and a full appreciation of the Asian elephant, aims to honor the wonder of the elephant and the cultures of the people that share their environment.--John Scott, Friends Sch. of Baltimore

Throughout his career, Dr. Kushal Konwar "KK" Sarma has treated a variety of animals, but his first love has always been elephants. Growing up in a village in Assam, India, he was particularly close to an elephant named Lakshmi, who died an untimely death at least partly because there were no doctors available to recognize and treat her symptoms. The loss of his favorite childhood companion inspired Sarma to become a veterinarian, determined to prevent any more unnecessary elephant deaths. His passion for elephants led Sarma to become a pioneer in the field of veterinary science, developing a technique for chemically sedating elephants before anyone else in Assam and gaining a reputation as the person to call whenever an elephant is in danger. In Chodosh's account, Sarma's adventures take him all over the state of Assam. His experiences healing India's elephants--and, in the process, protecting human lives--are sometimes dangerous, sometimes heartbreaking, and always thrilling. This engaging and deeply researched book intersperses fascinating information about the lives of Assamese elephants with vivid scenes of Sarma's veterinary life. Chodosh treats issues like religion, ethnicity, and language with care, providing readers with insight not only into elephant science, but also into northeastern Indian culture and tradition. The book's afterword is an empowering call to action sure to create a generation of local ecological activists well aware of the global ramifications of their work. A charming and informative work of nonfiction. (elephant facts, glossary) (Biography. 9-14) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.