MATRIARCH: Autobiography of an Elephant (Paperback)

Step into the forest. Walk beside the matriarch. See the world through elephant eyes.

MATRiARCH: Autobiography of an Elephant is not just a book—it’s a deeply moving journey into the heart of an elephant family, told from the matriarch’s perspective. Drawing from years of field research and lived experience, Byju H weaves science, emotion, and storytelling into a rare narrative that captures the intelligence, memory, and leadership of matriarchal elephant societies.

Set against the changing landscapes of the Nilgiris, the book gently unpacks elephant biology, social bonds, and matriarchal wisdom, while also confronting the growing realities of habitat loss and human–elephant conflict. The result is a powerful blend of conservation science and storytelling that feels intimate, honest, and urgent.

Written with empathy and clarity, MATRIARCH: Autobiography of an Elephant invites readers to slow down, listen, and reconnect with the wild.

Perfect for nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, conservationists, and anyone who believes stories can change how we see the natural world.

About the Author

Byju H is an experienced researcher in the field of wildlife conservation and a Co-founder of the ConservEra Foundation. His deep love for animals and ecosystems has shaped his life’s journey and influenced the way he understands nature and conservation.

A significant part of his work involves engaging with communities who live closely with natural ecosystems and follow traditional knowledge systems passed down through generations. These interactions have helped him gain valuable insights into human–wildlife relationships and the changing dynamics between the past and the present.

Byju H has worked extensively on the critically endangered vulture species in the Moyar Valley of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve and has also been associated with shorebird monitoring programmes in the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve. He completed his postgraduate studies in Zoology from The American College, Madurai, and began his research career with the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI). He later worked briefly with the Government of India.

Currently, he is an active member of the Vulture Conservation Working Group – South India (VCWG-SI) and the Coimbatore Nature Society. He also serves as an Executive Board Member of the Wildlife International Liaison Development (WILD) Society and is a Subject Editor for the internationally reputed peer-reviewed Journal of Threatened Taxa.

His first book, Valley of Hope: Moyar and Vultures, was well received, and his writing continues to reflect a strong commitment to conservation, science, and storytelling rooted in real-world experience.