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Interview with Sharon Pincott – guardian to Mugabe’s elephants

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Sharon and Misty

How did you first come across the Presidential herd? Why elephants? And why move your life across the ocean to a country with significant problems?

A dear friend of mine first introduced me to the Presidential Elephants in the late 1990s. He died in a tragic accident soon after, inside of Hwange National Park. I had already fallen in love with elephants prior to this; in 1993 in South Africa’s Kruger National Park. Life’s too short not to follow your dreams and your passion, no matter what time in life these hit you, and where they take you.

Do you consider Zimbabwe your home and do you have plans for the future there?

 Zimbabwe has been my home for the past decade. I now know no other. Some clearly don’t want me here, but they must know by now that they can’t get rid of me that easily!

Do you have any hopes/expectations/outcomes through the production of this film?

My hope is that the world will fall in love with these elephants, just as I have. Their ongoing safety and survival is very dependent on the tourists returning to Zimbabwe. I hope that everyone is inspired to come and visit my extraordinary wild elephant friends such as Lady, Whole and Misty, and the many others in these ohh-so-friendly Presidential family groups.

Did you ever expect a film to be made? And could you tell us a bit about your book..  

I’ve believed for a long time that these elephants deserve more awareness of their existence, and their battles. My own part in this is what’s been somewhat of a surprise. My book The Elephants and I was released in 2009. It’s the 2001-2007 story of my life with these grey giants – through good times and bad – and is available on Amazon. You can also read about it on my own website www.sharonpincott.com  My next book (working title Masakhe – which means ‘to rebuild that which has been broken’) is a collection of short stories – including my ongoing life with the elephants from 2008 until the present day – which will be released in mid-2012.

Have you encountered any opposition from any particular parties with

"Whosit" loves to be close to Sharon and her vehicle

regard to interviews, access to locations etc? Is the Zimbabwean government aware of your activities/presence?

My Zimbabwean life always seems to be filled with controversy and frustration. There’s always someone who doesn’t want my eyes and ears – and mouth – around. That hasn’t changed. I’m here with the support of high-level Government officials, but that doesn’t mean that all who are in office are my friends.

Have there been any encounters with danger whilst living in Zimbabwe? If so, how did you get past that and decide to carry on?

My life in the Hwange bush is very different to what a tourist will experience. There are no more dangers for tourists here than anywhere else in the world; in fact this would surely have to be one of the safest African countries to visit. I’ve certainly experienced my own set of threats and hazards over the past decade. If anything, these just make me more determined not to leave my elephant friends.

How did you adjust to having a film crew around documenting your life? Was it difficult to get habituated to the cameras? Did you enjoy it?

Having lived a very solitary life for the past 10 years, it did take some getting used to having people with me every day. But I love to share these elephants with others and the film crew were blown away by how unbelievably friendly and tolerant these free-roaming elephant families can be – especially given all that they’d previously heard about Zimbabwe and its beleaguered wildlife. Cameras make me nervous, but some of my special elephant friends clearly had a real desire to be Movie Stars! I think we all enjoyed it, spending so much dedicated time in the company of such exceptional wild animals.

 What has been your highlight and most inspiring moment, during this project?

On location with Sharon's elephants

There were a lot of heartfelt and encouraging moments during the filming (as well as sad and frustrating ones). One moment does stand out for me though. I had an incredible encounter with one of my favourite adult female elephants from the W family (where all elephants have names beginning with W). Willa was clearly not feeling well, under the harsh African sun, and the deep intimacy that infused our meeting that day surprised even me – creating another intense bond. It was an unforgettable moment between two not-so-very-different species.

22 Comments

Sandra

September 28, 2011

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We cannot wait to see this documentary. Thankyou for helping Sharon Pincott’s mission to raise awareness of the Presidential Elephants of Zimbabwe. She is absolutely one of the Jane Goodalls and Dian Fosseys of the elephant world and seeing her life with these elephants will be fascinating

Gertru van Tuyll

September 28, 2011

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Last year we were one of these lucky people who had the possibility to make a
safari with Sharon. The “W”family whom we met made an impression which I cannot
describe. To see them so close showing there new babies their behaviour no fear for us
and we had no fear either because we had Sharon with us whom they trust 100%

We will be back and hopefully a lot of tourist will come.

The White family

September 28, 2011

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“Whosit” – whooaaa!! Are we going to see wild elephants sitting on Sharon Pincott’s lap in this film?????? It looks like it. Fabulous.

Peta

September 29, 2011

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Having read about Sharon’s elephant friends Lady, Whole and Misty and many others in her book, it will be a pleasure to finally meet them on film. It will also be a real pleasure to see a real life naturalist-conservationist in action, not afraid to interact with elephants as scientists are not supposed to do, or want to do. Bravo for not fearing what some might say. Bravo for breaking those rules and making your own more sensible ones. In her book Sharon sounds very responsible and caring. The average viewer out there wants to see and enjoy watching these interactions and marvel at them. The average person out there believes that animals like elephants do share our feelings and emotions and our sense of self. It is past time for a documentary like this one. Bravo again to all. It sounds like this will be inspiring. Congratulations.

CJ & Frank

September 29, 2011

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SHARON PINCOTT MENTIONED IN AN E-MAIL THAT ONE OF THE WILD PRESIDENTIAL ELEPHANTS DID NOT EVEN FLINCH WHEN A CAMERA TOUCHED ITS EYELASH. HOW AMAZING IS THAT! WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE THE OUTCOME OF THIS FILMING. SHARON HAS CLEARLY HAD HER TROUBLES IN ZIMBABWE AND ITS TO HER CREDIT THAT SHE IS STILL PURSUING HER WORK THERE.

Mandy

October 2, 2011

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I’m so happy this has finally happened. Sharon and these elephants deserve finally getting this attention, so the world can now see how truly inspirational they all are. Way to go Sharon, I for one can’t wait to see the doco and am looking forward to meeting up with your friends and you next year!

Gem

October 3, 2011

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Tenacity is not short in this woman. How she has managed for so many years with constant opposition is difficult to appreciate and to do it without salary or funds, and short on thanks too I expect. We will all learn something valuable by watching this documentary I am sure. This is a leap into the international spotlight scene. She must love these elephants to do this. It is most interesting that it takes an Australian – aren’t Australians on Bob’s hate list along with Americans and the Britsh? – to successfully help secure the future of elephants that have his title.

Helen Dimi

October 4, 2011

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There are not too many people who would give up our cushy life to follow our heart for something we truly believe in. Not only am I looking forward to seeing the documentary covering these magnificent beasts of nature but also looking at the human element of it and the passion Sharon possesses to keep her going on. Well done Sharon for pursuing your belief and well done to the team putting this documentary together which hopefully will bring global focus. I for one salute you!

Andrea

October 5, 2011

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I have absolutely no doubt that this documentary will be entertaining and inspiring and I cant wait to see it. Sharon is so incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about these amazing animals and I’m sure her passion will not have been difficult to capture on film (along with the wonderful four legged stars!) Thankyou so much for making this documentary and can you please do your best to ensure that it is broadcast in both Australia and New Zealand (Sharon’s former homes before she found her true calling :-) .

J. Orford-White

October 6, 2011

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we hope the lodge who controversially threw sharon pincott out of long-time accommodation and presidential ellie land last year, wanting all of this documentary publicity, and sharon, for themselves, are now secretly, grossly humiliated. let’s hope that this documentary covers some of their foolishness too. let the tourists return to hwange, but let them now certainly stay somewhere else. how she survives through all of this lunacy is beyond us. we, too, salute you and eagerly await this production.

Dorothy

October 7, 2011

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This is a wonderful interview! Sharon is already one of my heroes, and I have added to my “bucket list” visiting Sharon and her elephants in Zimbabwe!

Ally MacDonald

October 8, 2011

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WOW, imagine being on someone’s bucket list. Imagine how many buckets will be overflowing once this film actually screens! There are not too many living heroes. Sharon Pincott is mine too for all that she endures for the wildlife in Zimbabwe. I am already in love with these elephants. Bring on the doco release.

Mike

October 10, 2011

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Sharon this is awesome; what you have achieved is beyond my wildest imagination. On behalf of Dawn Properties and myself thank you very much for doing what the rest of us should be doing.

Benny Hunt

October 11, 2011

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THIS FILM SHOULD OPEN PEOPLES EYES In the early days of this century it was publicized around the world that the presidential elephants of Zimbabwe barely existed anymore. It is to Sharon Pincott’s credit that they still do and that they still trust humans and are still friendly. Unlike other people when times got tough she never walked out on them. The reaffirmation of the decree by Mugabe safeguarding these elephants would never have happened without this woman. Her hecklers need to get a life, give credit where credit is due and Hwange might finally prosper again. Watch others now try to take credit for her excellent work or try to rip it apart to bring attention to themselves instead. Sadly this is human nature in Africa.

Garry J

October 13, 2011

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Sharon has related some real funny “behind the scenes” moments. Hope that we will all get to see some of the bloopers as part of a DVD sale too! Holding thumbs for you.

Edwin and Sue

October 20, 2011

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It is tremendous to see this is in production and we hope that Zimbabwe benefits in the longrun from it. I do wonder if Hwange operations have the commonsense to do this with everything still going on in that desperate area. How many there know anything real about these animals and how many just see $ signs by exploiting them without any proper knowledge of them and contributing nothing back? Thank the good Lord that this lady is not like them and that she is still there at all still working for the good of them.

Cynthia Moss

October 21, 2011

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I’m pleased to see that Sharon Pincott is getting the attention she deserves. Her work in saving these elephants is amazing. I have great respect for her dedication and bravery.

C. Grimsdell

October 28, 2011

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When these elephants got their presidential title twenty years ago many people saw it as a publicity stunt by a businessman in the safari industry for his own moneymaking purposes. Only now when the renewal of the decree has been obtained by a true conservationist with no monetary interests can we believe that these elephants are special indeed. It will be good to see something about them with a true conservation focus, especially in today’s Zimbabwe.

Arthur Moore

November 3, 2011

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Congratulations and may this all go well. Sharon Pincott is an unsung hero, others are too busy in Zimbabwe singing their own praises. She probably isn’t thrilled with the idea of being more in the public eye but what a pleasure for these once persecuted elephants. A true inspiration to young, and old, conservation minds everywhere.

Peters

November 10, 2011

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That the filming company consider they may have some Award winning footage of the Presidential elephants is a grand achievement in today’s Zimbabwe and that the elephants should trust Sharon to an extent to enable this is something that I want to witness even if it is just on tv. I hope that not only Sharon for her years of sweat and tears but Hwange too gets the attention it ought to have from this to show the world that not all has been lost in Zimbabwe in spite of everything. So long as nothing more is allowed to be lost now and people begin to value what is there and what they have. Well done you all! I am looking forward to seeing this.

Shaynie

November 18, 2011

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Congratulations Sharon on the making of this documentary. Here’s hoping that this spotlight shines across the world and that the attention brings respite to this unique piece of land and its animals. Can’t wait to see it.

Lionel

November 21, 2011

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Hey Sharon, I have no doubt that the doccie will be incredible as a way to highlight just how amazing the Paresidential Herd is and the incredible trust they have in humans. It should also bring attention to the fact that Zim is still a jewel in the African crown boasting magnificent wildlife. Hopefull it iwill also put across the dire need for added protection that our resources need.

Thank you so much for you continued efforts to look after our great grey friends, and thanks too for keeping the memory of our special late friend alive. I look forward to my next encounter with your families -

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