An Apology to Elephants

Synopsis

The documentary begins by showing the transfer of elephants from a train; the narrator states that "the elephants need our help". It proceeds with Joyce Poole, an elephant biologist, discussing some of the characteristics of an elephant, including mirror recognition capability. Cynthia Moss and Katy Payne explain some of the habits of elephants. While discussing anthropomorphism of elephants, Indian scientist Raman Sukumar states that elephants have a love–hate relationship with human society. The documentary then describes elephant capture for public display in circuses and zoos.

After describing the role of elephants in the environment, the documentary depicts some of the training techniques at circuses using bullhooks. It then shows an "elephant healing area" created in Northern California by Ed Stewart and Pat Derby, founders of Performing Animal Welfare Society. Derby tells the reunion story of Wanda, an elephant from Detroit Zoo, and Gypsy, from one of the circuses from Illinois, who were together in a circus in 1980 and bought together again in 2005. It describes various incidents of elephant communication and their emotional bonding; and it relates the story of Topsy from Luna Park, Coney Island, and her electrocution on January 4, 1903.

The documentary depicts new bullhook-free techniques implemented at Oakland Zoo for elephants; it ends by raising an alarm against the ivory trade, stating that the current elephant killing rate would lead to extinction of the species in ten years.

Reception

The documentary received generally positive feedback on release. The Variety magazine in its review noted that "An Apology to Elephants, in its best moments, is hard to forget" and is "an effective calling card for the animal-rights agenda". Sheri Linden reviewed the documentary for The Hollywood Reporter and mentioned that it is "a succinct, graceful argument to save an endangered species". Bloomberg noted that though the documentary tracks elephant abuse and also refrained from anthropomorphism of elephants, it does not focus on any of the responses from circus owners or enthusiasts. Emily Ashby from Common Sense Media mentioned in her review that though the documentary is "eye-opening on a longstanding animal-rights issue", it is one-sided and not advisable viewing for young children. A review from Postmedia News by Alex Strachan recommended the documentary as an "appropriate viewing on Earth Day" with huge demands for ivory trinkets from China.

After the documentary was premiered on HBO, Feld Inc. which is a parent company of Ringling Bros circus expressed that the documentary is a "one-sided hit piece". They mentioned that Amy Schatz contacted them to have "a full range of voices on the subject of elephants" but did not showcase anything saying "the Conservation Center isn't one HBO wants us to cover in the film". They also noted that the documentary has "an anti-circus political agenda". Later, HBO issued a statement in response to the allegation from Ringling Bros circus that the documentary "explores a wide range of issues surrounding [but] unfortunately not all can be included in the final film".