Was it Beneficial for Them to Intervene and Save the Elephants?

Delia Owens, renowned author of the bestselling novel Where the Crawdads Sing, and her former husband, Mark, once resided in Africa. Their account portrays them as environmental activists, dedicated to saving African elephants from the brink of extinction due to poaching. However, according to a comprehensive report by Ruth Maclean and Collins Chilumba Sampa for the esteemed New York Times, their tactics raise questions and may have crossed ethical boundaries. The journalists delve into the actions described by the Owenses in their efforts to combat poaching in a Zambian national park, contrasting them with the testimonies of locals, including former poacher Bernard Mutondo. The narratives do not always align.

Mutondo eventually became employed by the couple. They attempted to offer alternative livelihoods to poachers and frequently provided villagers with livestock for rearing. However, Mutondo alleges that prior to this, Mark Owens shot at him from a helicopter, and after being apprehended by scouts, the Owenses pressured him to divulge information about other poachers. He claims that Mark Owens instructed him to enter a net suspended from a helicopter, which was then flown dangerously close to crocodiles, with Owens allegedly stating, “Mutondo, today the crocodiles are going to eat you.” Delia Owens acknowledges the proliferation of rumors about their activities but asserts that they sincerely labored to help Zambians find ways of making a living that did not involve ivory poaching. “I am aware that we made a positive impact on many lives,” she affirms. (For the complete article, which delves into the ongoing clash between colonizers and indigenous peoples, click here.)