A Training School for Elephants

Retracing a Curious Episode in the European Grab for Africa

By: Sophy Roberts

Narrated by: Sophy Roberts

Out of a sidelined, colonial-era expedition in Africa comes a new history of cruelty, deception, and adventure from the acclaimed author of The Lost Pianos of Siberia.

In 1879, King Leopold II of Belgium launched an ambitious plan to plunder Africa’s resources. The key to cracking open the continent, or so he thought, was its elephants—if only he could train them. And so he commissioned the charismatic Irish adventurer Frederick Carter to ship four tamed Asian elephants from India to the East African coast, where they were marched inland towards Congo. The ultimate aim was to establish a training school for African elephants.

Following in the footsteps of the four elephants, Roberts pieces together the story of this long-forgotten expedition, in travels that take her to Belgium, Iraq, India, Tanzania, and Congo. The storytelling brings to life a compelling cast of historic characters and modern voices, from ivory dealers to Catholic nuns, set against rich descriptions of the landscapes travelled. In an original weave of past and present, she digs deep into historic records revealing an extraordinary—and enduring—story of colonial greed, hypocrisy, and folly.

Contemporary travel brings history to life

Ms Roberts’ purposeful exploration of Eastern Africa exposes a unique colonial journey. With thorough research and rich descriptions, she honors the lives of the domesticated elephants, the many people who were swallowed by Colonial greed. She taught me so much even though I have been to the region several times over decades.