Beyond the Secret Elephants tells; for the first time; the full story of what is now Gareth Patterson’s almost two-decade investigation not only into the secretive Knysna elephants; but also of his startling discovery of a much more mysterious being than the elephants – a relict hominoid – known by the indigenous forest people as the Otang.
Though Gareth knew from the local people about the existence of the otang; he mentioned these beings only very briefly in The Secret Elephants; focusing instead on his rediscovery of the Knysna elephants and their survival against all the odds. In The Secret Elephants Gareth was reluctant to blur the elephant’s story with his discovery of the otang.
Until now.
Today; worldwide; the possibility that relict hominoids exist; be it Bigfoot in North America; Yeti in the Himalayas; or Orang Pendek in Sumatra; is fast gaining momentum in public perception; with pre-eminent conservationists and scientists such as Dr Jane Goodall; Dr George Schaller; Professor Jeff Meldrum and many others; publically having open minds to the possibility of the existence of these beings.
Gareth Patterson’s research and findings into the otang; as told in his new book; Beyond the Secret Elephants; supports the increasing realisation that humankind still has much to learn about the natural world and that mystery still exists.
With the discovery of beings such as the otang we are forced to reassess our role on earth and our responsibility to all life on earth.
