African elephants have one of the most cohesive family structures in the wild. Steel Birds And Tuskers, a speculative parable, witnesses the peaceful existence of a herd of elephant in their pristine natural state.
It follows Thunder, a bull elephant calf, from birth and on life’s journey.
The story takes an outrageous turn when the herd is abruptly confronted with the abrasive tactics of wildlife management schemes enforced by man. The Matriarch is tracked by helicopter, darted, subjected to birth control and relocated by truck. An invasion which triggers confused apprehension amongst the herd.
The elephants come to know a new adversary, stronger than a rhino, as fierce as a lion. A hunter from the sky, a bird of steel which, with surgical precision, will slay them to the ground.
Then ponderous iron-cages trample the bush to steal their debilitated bodies, ripping their families apart. Those that survive never forget. They translate this knowledge into generations of anger, perpetuating this war of attrition imposed by man.
Steel Birds And Tuskers does not criticise man’s determination to attain the unattainable. Nor does it offer solutions to resolve the wretched plight facing the African Elephant. It merely enters the mind of this majestic animal - and imagines what it must be like to be the largest guinea-pig on earth.
The main highlights of the film include:
- birth of Thunder
- the newborn calf and herd crossing a river, dodging crocs and hippos
- separation from the herd and relocation by truck
- attack by ivory poachers
- battle with lions
- Thunder’s mating and coming of age
- footage of small elephant foetus in the womb.
Narrated by Peter Terry.
A film by Dirk Hurter and Laura van der Merwe.
Produced by Fanie van der Merwe for ProVision (2003).
FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THIS DVD VISIT:
http://www.froghopperdvds.co.uk/steelbirdstuskers
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