Friday, December 19, 2008

Wow.. holy elephants!

I've seen a ton of children's movies but this one was one of those movies that sat on my desk for a few weeks mostly because it was not one of those exciting big budget films but boy did Elephant Tales leave an impression. Why on earth did I not watch it sooner?

Elephant Tales is a story of two baby elephants who sadly loose their parents and herd to the human poachers who come and kill their entire family. Don't worry though you see shots fired in the night you wont actually see any dead elephants, which is great as I honestly don't think I could have handled that. What is really unusual about the movie as though its not terribly obvious from the front cover but every scene in the movie is a dubbed over set of footage of real animals doing well.. animal things. No acting, no outrageous animal trainers, just animals doing basically what they would normally do other than the fact that you will see them in the same frame interacting at times.

So you end up following a set of orphaned animals on a quest to find their parents, Tutu and Zef the elephants, Chump a crazy chimp, Stretch a giraffe, and Cub a lion cub. The only problem is Zef knows that there is no way for them to find their parents as well, they are gone. Tutu is so determined and its almost painful to watch them try. There are also some really disturbing moments where the movie will really tug at your heart especially when Tutu finds the elephant tusks.

In the end obviously the animals do not find their parents but they do find a new safe place to live. I think its a fabulous movie to show your children the reality of poachers in Africa and start the conversation on what we can do as humans to help the animals. Though kids of all ages will love watching the animals I would be ready to discuss some of the sadder aspects of the movie with your kids after they are done watching. Also don't expect a super big budget style production as Elephant Tales is more geared towards the story than super amazing camera work though personally I'm totally taken back by how they got the animals to play nice in all those scenes.

You can pick up your own copy of Elephant Tales on Amazon right now!

I have five copies of Elephant Tales to give away to our readers!

To enter :

  • Leave a comment on this post. Check out Elephant Tales and tell me what you think we should do about conservation of the animals in Africa?
  • Make sure there is a way for me to contact you - if your email address is not on your profile or you are not a blogger you may leave it in your comment or email it to me directly (angelaandconnor at gmail dot com) We have had to disqualify a lot of potential winners as of late as many people do not have emails available in their profiles or leave anonymous posts without any way to contact you.
  • Please US entries only.
  • To get extra credit :
    • For an extra entry :
    • Bloggers - Blog about this contest and leave me the link on your comment, or add me to your sidebar and let me know its there.
    • Non Bloggers (or bloggers) subscribe to my mailing list/RSS feed and earn another entry!
    • One extra credit per person. Please post your extra credit in a separate post.
    • This contest will end Jan 15th at midnight!

132 Comments:

Christina G. said...

I think we, via United Nations, should prosecute poachers for crimes against humanity, just like war criminals. Thanks for the giveaway!

Ms. Candice said...

I think there should be international laws to conserve wildlife in every country. In many third world countries endangered animals are prized for their "medicinal value" and that is why they continue to be poached.

onlycancan at hotmail dot com

Jenna said...

We need to make and enforce better laws against poaching. We need punish those that decide to break them. Thanks for the giveaway!

mverno said...

enforce poaching laws

valerie2350 said...

the economic gains of poaching are what motivate people to do it - the extreme poverty in the area needs to be dealt with.

valerie2350 said...

subscriber

Jackie said...

I think there should be more severe consequences for poachers.

Jackie said...

I am a subscriber via email

VickieC said...

I think if people would stop buying those products the demand would be less,an more stronger punishment for all involved

Amber said...

I do not think poaching should be allowed at all. There should be strictly enforced laws in all countries - particularly in the savannach in Africa, where a lot of poaching takes place. These animals are priceless and this movie sounds like a great one!

Thank you for the giveaway and please enter me.

hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Brn2lisn said...

I am a subscriber via feed

brn2lisn(at)gmail(dot)com

Brn2lisn said...

I wish I could say something original but, I have to agree with what has already been said. We need to make and enforce better laws against poaching. Its terrible the lengths that these poachers take to make a few bucks. No regard for life at all.

brn2lisn(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I think that the current laws should be enforced, but I don't see that happening in these hard economic times.


barbaraeford@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I am a subscriber


barbaraeford@yahoo.com

Mysharona said...

we need to outlaw Ivory trade.

Anonymous said...

The UN needs to enforce pouching laws and prosecute the offenders to the maximum.

FawnGeorge said...

Increase Security so we can cut back or stop Poaching. I love animals in Africa. I believe wholy in Conservation in Africa.

mammalnut2000@yahoo.com

Theresa N. said...

There needs to be a United Nations organization that does nothing but work to save the wildlife.
Theresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

chromiumman said...

i don't think we (the US government or the UN) should do anything. let free people make their own choices.

Tracey said...

I think we need to increase awareness about the problems we face due to the killing of these animals. I watched a special w/ gd that really shows what a problem this is. Thanks for the contest.

traceys[at]suddenlink[dot]net

Tracey said...

I'm already a subscriber.

traceys[at]suddenlink[dot]net

Andrea Hatfield said...

I think the government needs to think of a way to create new jobs in the area so that the poachers won't need to kill the elephants for money.

Andrea Hatfield said...

I subscribe to your feed.

judybrittle said...

I agree with everyone about prosecuting poachers plus they have to better train diplomats in conservation programs so more can be done. Thank you.

judybrittle said...

I'm a subscriber.

Anonymous said...

your button's on my sidebar :)

Anonymous said...

I think it's good to help protect the animals from poachers, as long as were not ignoring the people who need our help as well.

Bingo said...

Live and let live

Stephen Saunders said...

great giveaway and kudos for increasing awareness. Life should be respected, things like what you're doing have a positive benefit on worthy causes like this.

sweetsue said...

Paying the local people to protect species has been proven to reduce poaching.It doesn't take much money to do it, and helps the poor and protects the animals at the same time.

Judy said...

I believe that there should be stiffer laws on those that poach these animals or any animal.
I also believe that by educating
and letting the people know that live there how important these animals and all animals are to their environment and that it is just so wrong to take the lives of these beautiful animals for gain of any kind. Thank you

tatertot374 said...

Poachers should be held accountable for their actions. This is a major problem. thank you
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net

Teresa said...

I believe education is the key to animal conservation. The locals in African towns should be shown the importance of preserving animal populations. TRigell at aol dot com

3boyzmom said...

We need to make the punishment for poaching elephants harsher.

3boyzmom said...

I subscribed to your feed!!

Carol M said...

Laws won't change anything and neither will stronger punishments. It is too profitable. We need to stop making it worth it for them to do it and we need to find other ways for these people to support their families.
Carol M
mittens0831 AT aol.com

Anonymous said...

Enforce the rules against poachers and make the punishment harsher.

Tarah
tarah716[at]ymail.com

Jayme said...

We need to make and enforce better laws against poaching.

jayme[dot]bouwens@yahoo[dot]com

Jayme said...

i subscribe

Jennifer said...

We need to be harsh to the ones who take part in poaching!

jls_wss2003 at yahoo dot com

phxbne said...

I think we should support the local economy and help them learn that eco-tourism can be a win-win.

phxbne said...

I am a subscriber

Reviews And Giveaways said...

Please feel free anytime to advertise current reviews or giveaways you've got going on at my site : http://www.reviewsandgiveaways.com/

janetfaye said...

People can stop buying the products that the Poachers are selling.

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

janetfaye said...

I am subscribed.

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

I tink maybe an increase in economic gains from tourism would help solve the problem of poaching because it would make it more important to keep the animals alive and decrease the poverty that is causing the poaching. I don't really know how to do that though. More commercials?
hollyollyberry[at]yahoo[dot]com

Karen said...

We need to fully enforce our existing laws.

ktgonyea at gmail.com

Dave said...

Africa is a continent rampant with poverty and illiteracy. It is not only foreign hunters who poach, but native people desperate for food and money. Tourism is not a big enough industry and is too privatized to solve Africa's problems. The only sustainable resource Africa has is it's wildlife. Banning hunting only strengthens the black market. But controlled hunting, and I stress controlled, could create an inexhaustible industry that would effectively destroy the black market and solve many of Africa's poverty problems while preserving it's national parks and treasured wildlife.

Julie Donahue said...

Enforce the current laws.

Julie Donahue said...

I have your button.

susan1215 said...

There should be stricter laws against poaching.

mogrill said...

We need to have a 0% tolerance on Poaching!

Ally said...

We should better educate the locals about poaching and get them involved in stopping it.

Ginny said...

I'd love to see something international for animals, a comity that sets laws for every country to help them out.

Sarah S said...

I agree with the no poaching enforcement... through the UN or some other organization that can make it happen.

Sarah S said...

subscriber

cdrury said...

cdrury@gmail.com
there should be a world summit hosted by the United Nations and international laws and punishments and an international court.

Anonymous said...

I'd love to see more money thrown into building animal sanctuaries to protect these animals- thanks!
linjenals at yahoo dot com

Cindy B.of Montana said...

I certainly no expert, but I'm guessing there are poaching laws in place that need to be enforced. I know they are here where hunting is very popular both for sport and survival (some families here depend on it for their meat). As far as Africa is concerned, we could certainly encourage them to enforce it, but we can't make them!

Cindy B.of Montana said...

Button up!!

www.thebabblingbrooks.typepad.com

Becky said...

I think education could be one key to a solution. If the people of Africa are educated about the harms of poaching then it could possibly make a difference. I also believe that by helping the impoverished people of Africa with new sources of income then it would cut down on the poaching. I also think the government of Africa needs to have more controlled lands for the elephants to live on.

Thanks so much!

Becky said...

I am a subscriber1

Misty said...

make tougher laws against poaching. put more efforts into catching the persons responsible for poaching.
mommy2skie@yahoo.com

Misty said...

subscribed.
mommy2skie@yahoo.com

Misty said...

following you.
mommy2skie@yahoo.com

Misty said...

got your button.
mommy2skie@yahoo.com

Misty said...

blogged it: http://thismommyhasanopinion.blogspot.com/2008/12/elephant-tales-giveaway.html

mommy2skie@yahoo.com

bison61 said...

thats where the United Nations should help

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

stupendousdan said...

We need to do what we can to improve the economy in developing African nations.

betty R.~Simply Southern said...

prosecute poachers more heavely.
oldplace.betty(at)gmail.com

betty R.~Simply Southern said...

blogged ya
oldwaybecomesnewagain~simply southern contest/giveaways

SeahorseLady said...

It's sad but they still have so many poachers. They need to increase patrol for poachers and when caught, they should be charged and punished to the max for their crimes. It breaks my heart to see such beautiful animals killed for their fur, skin, tusks and even organs.

SeahorseLady said...

I'm also a subscriber.

Anonymous said...

Prosecute poachers to the full extent of the law and provide these beautiful animals much protected land so they can live in peace.

treflea4 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I suscribe.

treflea4 at gmail dot com

tsslug said...

subscriber here.....
God bless

Anonymous said...

the punishments for these crimes should be more severe and easier to enforce. this looks like a great movie with a great message. thanks!
christinbanda@yahoo.com

Amanda said...

Try to catch poachers, of course, but also try to continually preserve as much land as possible for the animals to run freely. Disappearing habitat is just as big of a problem.

bkh61959 said...

Enforcing the current law may help but definitely not a solution to stopping these actions, thanks

robt6 said...

Our goverment demanding better enforcement of the laws concerning
poaching.

Erica G said...

I think the poaching laws should be enforced with out any gray areas. I don't know if it should be us enforcing them. I think it should be the United Nations. I am proud that America has so much space that are considered conservation areas know as our National Parks.



babychooch (at) gmail {dot} com

Denise S. said...

Enforce poaching laws strictly, but beyond that I don't know. Africa is very poor and getting worse, so animal preservation is going to take a backseat.

Ken said...

We should protect their environment too. Please accept my entry. Thank you.

justicecw said...

Try to enforce the current laws first then hopefully expand them from there. thanks, justicecw@hotmail.com

denyse said...

They need to enforce pouching laws and prosecute the offenders to the maximum.

bison61 said...

a strong punishment for the poachers

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Kaycee said...

Poaching needs stricter punishments!

kayceewilliams AT gmail DOT COM

Unknown said...

I think there should be international laws to conserve wildlife in every country. In many third world countries endangered animals are prized for their "medicinal value" and that is why they continue to be poached.Enforce poaching laws strictly, but beyond that I don't know. Africa is very poor and getting worse, so animal preservation is going to take a backseat.

Jennifer-Eighty MPH Mom said...

I agree with everyone...we need stricter laws, and we should not buy ivory or other products where animals have been killed just so the poachers can make a few dollars.

Jennifer-Eighty MPH Mom said...

I've bloggged about your giveaway:
http://eightymphmom.blogspot.com/

Heather said...

I think we need more people to watch the parks and fight the poachers.

Unknown said...

DH & I have discussed this many times as he was born in South Africa and has seen the problem firsthand. As long as there are buyers for blackmarket ivory there will be elephant poachers. It is so hard to police the problem because Africa is such a HUGE continent. But there have to be stricter laws and punishment for these atrocities.
Thanks for the chance to win!
proudyaya04 {at} yahoo {dot} com

klp1965 said...

they should harshly punish these poachers.i saw gorillas in the mist that was such a great and sad movie :(

Veronica said...

What a great giveaway!! Thanks for the chance :)

Mommyhood is Thankless said...

I really believe poachers need more extreme measures of punsihment. I also think we should do something that helps relieve the poverty that causes them to need to do it.

mommyhoodisthankless{AT}gmail.com

paryjeja said...

I think there needs to be more education for the local people.

ky2here said...

Unfortunately, I believe an 'unholy alliance' is the only solution. Strike a deal with the 'devil' (sportsmen/developers) and find a way to ensure cash flow while maintaining environmental diversity.

Dammit - I hate to suggest that but it's the only workable solution I see.

Anonymous said...

we need to educate against posching

weblynx at hotmail.com

Beverley said...

There are so many problems reported daily from the continent of Africa. The UN needs to get involved, first to protect the people, then to protect the animals, all of which will protect the world's ecology for all of us.

Anonymous said...

Eliminate poaching!

froggypartyof2@aol.com

Anonymous said...

The poachers have to go, and stiff fines on top of significant jail time.

ardy22 at earthlink.net

blogggggg said...

I believe that education is key to ending the problem. The rest of the world needs to realize that this is not just an isolated problem and that we should all be invested in the conservation of animals in Africa.

blogggggg said...

I have your button on my sidebar
http://invisiblepedestrian.blogspot.com/

dhunt said...

nice!

Carolyn said...

You can have all the laws you want, but until the people of Africa decide to get rid of their corrupt leaders, poaching will continue. If you are desperate for money, you will do whatever it takes.

Think about it said...

We need stricter laws and should not buy the ivory or other products where animals have been killed just so the poachers can get rich. stupid people i swear

Anonymous said...

I believe that there should be more enforcement in the protection of the animals.

Jinxy and Me said...

I think the laws against poaching need to be better enforced and the punishment more severe.

Jinxy and Me said...

I'm subscribed to your RSS feed.

Anonymous said...

Don't support any country or products that use animal products.
Demand stricter laws regarding poaching as well. This is a crime against animals and against mankind. When we loose these animals a part of humanity dies as well.

teraustin@mindspring.com

Anonymous said...

Conservation of these animals may be approached in numerous ways. Lands has, and will continue to be, set aside. Laws are updated. Enforcement is difficult due to insufficient manpower covering large, and often remote, land masses. The local people need help and education, learning ways to support their families with what they have available. The locals need to value and take pride in the animals, which can be a means of attracting tourism dollars. The locals need to be on the receiving end of those tourism dollars. (etc.) lizzauski@hotmail.com

Betty C said...

Unfortunately the United States cannot police the world. Until those countries are convinced to pass laws and convict those who break the laws it will continue. We need to provide a positive reason for those governments to change the way they look at poaching. Granting most favored nation status or increasing aid would help but we aren't in the position to be able to afford to do that right now.

Anonymous said...

poaching should have a stronger punishment. Better enforcement of poaching laws.


walters123 (at) hotmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

Subscriber

walters123 (at) hotmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

I think we, via United Nations, should prosecute poachers for crimes against humanity, just like war criminals.

jennifer57 said...

i'm subscribed :)

Anonymous said...

Definitely need to have much stiffer penalties for poaching.

angieplays said...

I think if consumers refuse to buy ivory and other products made from elephants, that poachers will get out of the business. We need to educate the public more.

Angie
angieplays4fun at gmail dot com

idahomom said...

Laws on poaching should be enforced, as well as penalities for owning the products.

mrstrooper said...

Make the penalties for poaching more severe!

Anonymous said...

Definately impose trade restrictions on the offending countries, and teach our children the wasteful nature of poaching and loving all living things. ashlyn@chuparkoff.com

Leah said...

I definitely agree that poaching needs to be outlawed internationally, but at the same time you have to look at the root of what is causing people to poach, and that is the extreme poverty and hardship of these people. If they can be inspired with hope to reach beyond their poverty and get stabilized with ethics, then you'd see less poaching and more conservation of nature and more love between everyone.

Thanks so much for this give~away! : )))

leahita[at]gmail[dot]com

Leah said...

I also subscribe! : )))

leahita[at]gmail[dot]com

donnac36 said...

prosecute the poachers

Anonymous said...

There should be a concerted effort to stop poaching by requiring governments to make it a high priority. Companies who process products using poached animal parts should be punished severely. Consumers should be smart and not buy products made from poached animal parts. garrettsambo@aol.com

ZESTYWONDERLAND said...

I think we should boycott any & all products made from animals from Africa.
If there was not a market then maybe they would stop importing these kind of things.

ZESTYWONDERLAND said...

I follow u too!

lilyk said...

I think we should do more to protect animals in Africa.

lilyk said...

I subscribed to your mailing list.

Unknown said...

I think there are several things. Poaching laws enforced by their government. Education for the people. It's a matter of money, and supply and demand. They need to help people find alternative to making money, and punish the people who are buying as well. I think you would have more luck with stricter punishment for the buyers. Get rid of the demand and there is no need for the supplier or poachers.

Unknown said...

I am a subscriber

♥ LLL with Leslie ♥ said...

The animals are all so beautiful, i think they need to do more to protect god's creation.

Copyright Superheroboy.com © 2007-2015 | Some rights reserved