The Cowboy and His Elephant: The Story of a Remarkable Friendship

by Malcolm MacPherson

In the late 1980s, a female baby elephant was born into a herd that lived on the plains of southern Africa. Her mother has carried her for two years, and normally she would have nursed her for five more. But the close-knit family of wild elephants was to face a predator for which it was no match--humans. In a "cull," her family was slaughtered in a few moments. Only the newborn female's life was spared. Terrified and bewildered the young elephant was transported to America to be sold. There she met the person who was to change her life forever.Bob Norris is a cowboy with an enormous empathy for animals that overwhelms his other emotions. He was raised with a pet bear and as a boy decided to become a real cowboy. He saw his dream come true in Colorado on one of the larger horse-and-cattle ranches in America. Handsome as a movie star, he became the Marlboro Man and appeared on TV and on billboards around the world. But with the passing of years, and with his own family grown up, he felt the need for something that he could not name.When she came into his life by happenstance, the hurt, vulnerable little elephant tapped the fullness of Bob's empathy, and an incredible bond between the most unlikely of friends was forged.Bob adopted the baby orphan elephant--named Amy--and patiently set about helping her recover from the trauma of her ordeal. He had never seen a real African elephant up close, except in zoos. He was a horseman and breeder of champion quarter horses. But through close observation, gentle training, humor, and endless perseverance, Bob gradually coaxed Amy into overcoming her mistrust of humans, and indeed, her fear of the world. The little elephant became a "hand" on Bob's ranch, tending to simple chores, riding the fences, and shadowing Bob on his horse. She developed a winning personality, and a strong character, and became a beloved member of the Norris family and partner to the ranch hands.But Bob knew from the start that the ultimate goal was for Amy to regain her confidence and her independence - even, if it were possible, to go back to the savannahs of Africa.This is the true story of how Amy and Bob came together. No one who reads The Cowboy and His Elephant can fail to be moved by such a simple tale of unlikely love.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Memoir, Biography, Nature, Africa, Book Club

256 pages, Hardcover

First published May 9, 2001

About the author

Malcolm Cook MacPherson was an American national and foreign correspondent for Newsweek magazine and the author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books.

Reviews

[L.G. Cullens · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can read the straightforward blurb, and beyond that I needn't say much about this story. It's a beautiful story that is well-written — one that you need to experience in whole to see how rewarding it is. Unless you are a stone, you may even shed a few tears and chuckle a bit :-)

Addendum: Umm .. it seems the blurb isn't present here on goodreads, but you can read it on any of the retail outlets.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love elephants and this was a great story of Amy who was taken from Africa after her family was culled. She is very lucky that she falls into the hands and life of Bob Norris, who was the Marlboro man by accident. It is about their special bond and made me cry twice in a good way.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read came upon this book recently after having gotten in touch with an old boyfriend from high school (via Facebook). I was particularly interested in reading this story because, as it turns out, I have been to this ranch.
While visitng the said boyfriend, Bobby, in Littleton, CO, his mom, little brother and sister and I all drove down to Colorado Springs one day to spend an afternoon walking around this beautiful ranch with this wonderful man named Bob Norris. Bob, it turns out, is or was, the "Marlboro man."

Bobby's mom is the neice of Mr. Norris. In relation to the timing of this book and when I was there- it seems I had just missed meeting Amy, the elephant. I don't recall Mr. Norris talking about Amy (which is also ironically the name of Bobby's sister- not the one there that day), but this was also nine years ago and my memory has faded a bit.

This book is not particularly [very:] well written but it is sincere and heart-warming; funny at times and sad, quite sad actually- but a very beautiful story, indeed.

[Perri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love elephants so this was a no-brainer for me. The unique relationship between Amy and her cowboy was the best part of the story. It also reminded me of the line in The Little Prince,"You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed."

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the true, heartwarming story of Bob Norris, Colorado rancher and Marlboro Man, who adopts (and falls in love with) a newborn African elephant named Amy. Amy has been traumatized by watching her entire family slaughtered in Africa. Bob, who's empathy for animals overwhelms his other emotions, is determined to help her overcome her sadness and distrust of humans. Using gentle training and perseverance, Bob helps Amy develop into the sweet, lovable, mischievous elephant she was meant to be. You might just fall in love with Amy, as I did.

[Katie Powner]

I love true stories and I love animal stories, so this was pretty much an automatic winner for me! What a fun and fascinating story of a cowboy and his elephant!

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

January library book group read. Anything about elephants, count me in. Their capacity for high intelligence & compassion have always intrigued me, & this story of Amy was no exception. The relationship she & Bob shared warmed my heart. 🐘

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book for the simple fact that this man, "The Marlboro Man" bought this elephant baby who's family was killed in a freaking cull in Africa. A man came along and wanted to rent some of his barn space for some baby elephants the was selling to circuses etc. Amy was a runt and being picked on by the other babies. He saw that she was very depressed and just couldn't let her go being afraid for her. They formed a wonderful bond until she was too old and had to find another home.

Now let me say, I never realized the man that was The Marlboro Man loved animals. He grew up with a black bear that his parents took on when it was a baby and tons of animals. Lulu the bear, which was a boy, was one of his best friends. He also saved many baby lambs that were thrown out to die buy ruthless jerks! Unfortunately when Bob was a school Lulu would wander around and the neighbors were scared so they sent him to a zoo. It broke his heart, but he continued to love all of his life.

I was not sure what kind of start to give the book. I would have given 5 stars for the fact that a man loved animals so much and tried to do what he always thought was right.

I give it 1 star for the fact that he knew nothing about circuses and that is where Amy ended up. She seemed to be with some nice people but knowing how elephants are beaten and sometimes killed in Circuses and that I petition against circuses it's hard to think there are any that are kind out there. You know there are a few people here and there that truly love the animals and try to help them, but most are of the evil variety. They say Amy got to go back to Africa to be released. I hope she got to live a long life with a huge family and not killed.

Oh and I must mention this Sykes woman saying elephants working in circuses were healthier mentally and physically than those in zoos! Well I guess she never has seen the pictures and videos of elephants in circuses and zoos being beaten until they are screaming and bloody! Get a clue people!!!

[Book Witch Hollow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two years ago I visited Have Trunk Will Travel in California with my pre-vet club. The elephants all had strong personalities: curious, fun, and even mischievous. After that experience I've stayed fascinated with elephants, so when I saw this book on the shelf at the library I picked it up to read it.

It's a cute, heartwarming story. The beginning is assumption on the part of the owner, written almost in poetic prose. From there the author swaps to a more journalistic style of writing. The huge part of this book is about Bob Norris, the Marlboro Man, and Amy the elephant. It's cute and funny, and gives the reader some insight into the nature of elephants. The book ends with some stories of Amy's life in the circus before her traveling to Africa to begin integration back into the wild.

Overall, it's a cute, funny, heartwarming book, and worth reading.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the late 1980s, a female baby elephant was the only survivor of a her cull, where she was transported to America to be sold. Bob Norris, the Marlboro Man, is a cowboy with an empathy for animals. When the hurt, baby elephant, Amy, came into his life, an incredible bond between them was forged. Bob adopted Amy and through gentle training, humor, and perseverance, coaxed Amy into overcoming her mistrust of humans. Bob knew from the start that the ultimate goal was for Amy to regain her independence and if possible, to go back to the savannahs of Africa. A heart warming story of a Colorado cowboy and his elephant friend.

[Ted · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am acquainted with the area of where much of this story was about. This was about a very intelligent animal that might have been outstanding to her species. It seemed to outline what we are losing in our country. Things that we enjoyed are disappearing much to our perfect laws that satisfy a very small group of progressives. While this book is not political it points this out. What is happing in the world is beyond my intelligence. The book was well written and very well researched. Bob Norris is one of the disappearing breed in this country I am sad to say.

[Kathleen (Kat) Coffler · Rating 2 out of 5]

It might appeal more to other people, just not me. I found it tedious and it didn’t draw me in. I skimmed the 2nd half to see where it would go. Good enough.
There is heart to the story and love of animals so I give 2 stars rating.

[Johnny Coody · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is so much more than the cowboy and his elephant. His love for her is much of the story but I learned facts about Africa and Asian elephants. So many people trying to save these amazing animals.

[Francesca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this - started out slow with the first 2 chapters but then I couldn’t put this down!

[Kellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! This is a story of Amy, an African elephant who loses her herd in an African cull. This is also a story of Bob Norris, the cowboy. He is also known as the Marlboro Man. After Amy is shipped to the US, her owner asks Bob if he can rent 5 stalls for the baby elephants. Bob agrees. And thus begins a remarkable friendship between Bob and Amy. Bob ends up buying Amy and their relationship blooms. As time goes by, Amy becomes too big for her surroundings and ends up the star performer for a circus. I teared up when Bob visits her after a year a part and she puts her head in his lap during the middle of her performance. Amy's life then came full circle under a plan to reintroduce African elephants from zoos and circuses back into the wild. Amy was going home, this time to Botswana.
This story will pull at the heart strings. It was a quick read and I enjoyed it. It's going to go on my all time favorite list!

[kristi turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a refreshing read about a cowboy and his elephant. It would have been great to know more about AMy's rehab back to Africa, but the way this was written it was almost like you were there with Bob. I cried with Bob and felt his pain at letting Amy go, and then at his relief when she remembered him

[Lori Conroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book and such a beautiful story of how this cowboy (the original Marlboro man) raised the baby elephant Amy and they taught each other so much. I'm so amazed by these smart and loving animals.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful depiction of how unique and intelligent elephants are. I enjoyed reading how Bob tried to figure out Amy and make her happy. Also a strong message that elephants are not pets and trying to make them fit into a human world is never the best path.

[Suellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Attention animal lovers! This is written straight from the heart. MacPherson's account of a very personal encounter.

[Mary E Trimble · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cowboy and His Elephant:The Story of a Remarkable Friendship by Malcom MacPherson warmed my heart.

The story begins in the late 1980s on the plains of southern Africa. A baby elephant, weighing about 150 pounds, was born into a herd of elephants. A single elephant can eat more than 300 pounds of food a day necessitating a herd to constantly move in their quest for food. They can easily trample down fences and they were becoming a threat to a local tribe, eating crops in the fields, and endangering tribesmen. When the baby elephant was two years old, the entire herd was “culled,” slaughtered within a few moments. Only the baby’s life was spared. She was named Amy and transported to America to be sold.

Bob Norris was a successful Colorado cattle rancher and horse breeder. The T-Cross Ranch was one of the larger ranches in North America. A handsome fellow, Bob became the Marlboro Man and appeared on TV and billboards all over the world. But that’s another story. One day a fellow came by the T-Cross asking if he could temporarily rent some stalls in Bob’s huge barn. The fellow needed a place to house a few baby elephants, just until they were sold. He managed to sell all but Amy. Norris’s heart went out to the pitiful little thing. She was obviously severely traumatized, terrified and bewildered. He bought the elephant, knowing how incongruous having an elephant on a ranch would be, but not fully realizing the impact it would have on his life.

An incredible bond developed between the rancher and the baby elephant. Bob felt his first obligation was to help Amy overcome her fear of the world, of her mistrust of humans. Gradually she began to trust him and to discover how to play with some of the ranch animals. Amy would accompany Bob on chores and became a beloved member of the Norris family. Her intelligence was obvious. She learned to open gates, to turn on faucets, to outsmart the other animals.

Elephants continue to grow throughout their life. It was clear that Amy’s life on the T-Cross could not go on forever. Bob’s goal was to help her develop confidence. Her bulk and grace were obvious. Bob discovered there was no better friend, but if she chose, no worse enemy. She needed to be with other elephants, to find her real place in the world. Bob’s goal now was to find a permanent home for Amy, a challenge that took time, determination and resources.

I loved The Cowboy and His Elephant which deals with two of my favorite subjects: cowboys and elephants. The author vividly describes the various settings of the story, the strong personalities of both Bob and Amy, and the plight of the elephant in the wild, and in captivity.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

She was born in Zimbabwe in the late 1980s, she was the sole survivor of a cull and subsequently shipped to the US to be sold either to a circus or zoo. While waiting for a buyer she was held on a ranch in Colorado owned by a cowboy, and when no buyer materialised, already besotted by her, the cowboy bought her.

The cowboy, a wealthy rancher, is Bob Norris, for twelve years the original real cowboy Marlborough Man of billboards and press ads, an animal lover as much at ease with horses and other animals as with people, his new charge a baby African elephant now named Amy. Having helped Amy overcome her recent traumas Bob developed a deep empathy for this enchanting yet confused creature, soon he was devoting all his time to her care and she was to come to dominate his and his family's life for the next several years.

This is the story of Amy, intelligent and strong-willed, and of Bob Norris, a man of principles and high standards, and their remarkable relationship. The account begins with Amy's probable beginnings, the facts of the cull, and follows her journey to the US, and her eventual repatriation to her African home.

But it is more than just Amy's story, it is an enlightening account that dispels many myths about African elephants and questions the prissy and misguided PC attitudes which today seem to prevail today concerning the care of animals. Amy proves that African elephants are capable of being trained, more importantly appear to benefit from and enjoy being trained, and that they can be animals of great character and strong loyalties.

The Cowboy and His Elephant is a well written and researched account, it is often amusing and funny, on more than a couple of occasions I found it extremely moving - on one occasion because of its deep sadness, on another due to great happiness. The book surprised me, It gave far more than I expected, and has changed my mind on or caused me to rethink a number of issues

[AudreyEaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this amazing story about an orphaned African elephant, the author lets the reader feel happiness, excitement, sadness, humor, and most of all love. **Please don't read if you don't want a spoiler alert.

Amy is an African elephant who is orphaned when her herd is culled. She is then shipped to the United States to be sold. Fortunately for her, she ends up at a ranch in Colorado which is owned by a true animal lover and protector, Bob Norris (yes, THAT Bob Norris, the Marlboro man). He becomes Amy's biggest fan and works diligently to give her a great life. She becomes part of his ranch and part of his family. Eventually, however, she overtakes his life, and Bob knows she needs something more.

She is sold (after much agony) to Buckles who is the elephant trainer in the Big Apple Circus. Again, Amy struck gold in Buckles. He recognizes her unique personality, her intelligence, and her ability to adapt and become a true member of the family.

Then the anti-zoo and anti-circus for elephants movement begins. Buckles knows that he must do something to save Amy. He contacts Bob who in turn contacts a young man named Randall Moore who wants to return African elephants to Africa. (Randall Moore has a very interesting story as well.)

After many stops and starts, many disappointments, many lies, many governmental officials saying one thing and doing another, Moore does get Amy (and other elephants) to Africa. But he wonders if she will be able to adapt to the wild, know how to feed herself, be able to live in a herd/family? He painstakingly watches over her and helps her to become a wild elephant again.

Be prepared to laugh, cry, feel happiness, heartache, and frustration. This book is simply an amazing true story of one elephant who was loved by all who knew her.

[Jim Mcadams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the remarkable story of the relationship forged between an old cowboy, who lived in the 1980's with his wife on a large ranch in Colorado, and a female baby African elephant who was the sole survivor of a "cull," the slaughter of her mother and the other members of her family. She was placed in a crate with the word "Amy" stenciled on the side (African word for "friend") and shipped to the United States where she was sold to, and became the center of life for, Bob Norris. Who? you ask. Why Bob Norris, the original "Marlboro Man," who never smoked and probably because of that lived to the ripe old age of 90.

Bob and his wife owned the T-Cross Ranch where they raised cattle and horses. He had been raised in ranch life and even had a male bear named "Lulu" as a companion for much of his youth. As he grew to manhood, he developed a profound empathy for animals. In the late 1980's when Amy arrived at his ranch, frightened, withdrawn, and severely depressed, all of Bob's protective and empathetic tendencies kicked in on over time.

Over the next several years, Bob and Amy became as close as two members of different species could come. Bob taught Amy how to play, how to be an important member of the ranch staff, and, most importantly, helped her develop into what she was born to be - a delightful, sweet, smart, mischievous, and loving elephant. In the end, reality sets in and adjustments and changes have to be made to Amy's life on the T-Cross Ranch. What that does, however, is bring about what, for me, was easily the most emotional event I've encountered in many years. But, it was well worth it and it led to perhaps the most satisfying ending to a book that I've read in several years.

[Marion Sheppard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25. It is such a pleasure to read a heartwarming and positive story. We follow Amy, an elephant who lived for the first 2 years of her life in Africa with her mother and other elephants. But with the elephants foraging into the people’s fields, they seek and secure approval to cull the group. One person says that it’s important to save one of the elephants per cultural belief. Thus, Amy is left all by herself and is lost. A man who intends to sell Amy and 5 other elephants to the highest bidder, happens to come to Bob Norris, a rancher, to rent stall space for the elephants while awaiting their next move. Bob’s background included being part of the family that owned Texaco and taking on a stint as the Marlboro Man; he also had great empathy for animals especially after having a bear be part of his family as a youngster. As would be expected, Amy is confused and depressed by her displacement, but Bob perseveres in working with her to gain her trust and create a more positive environment. She becomes a beloved member of the Norris family and ranch hands. From the beginning, Bob’s goal was to ultimately return Amy to the wild. As she grew up, it was harder to transport her, and the ranch was not as conducive to her survival and well-being. She transitions to a circus group and eventually seems to do well in the spot light. Bob is depressed and eventually travels to see her, and remembering him fondly, she came over to nuzzle with him. The circus owner finds a man who wants to work with Amy in Africa to return her to the wild, to take her place among her ancestors and peers. The book is an unlikely love story, one that will tug at your heartstrings and put a smile on your face.

[AF Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amy - an African Elephant- and the humans that loved and cared for her- is a curiously interesting tale.

The early part of her life as told by Malcolm MacPherson is supposition because no one really knows what a baby elephant’s life is truly like in the wild. The tales of Amy’s life with humans that loved and cared for her was compelling and fascinating. You might, as I did, find tears running down your face as you read about the human’s taking leave of Amy as she moves to her next adventure.

While the book is reasonably well written and reasonably edited and contains some sweet pictures of Amy - I found myself really aggravated, frustrated and feeling cheated because the author didn’t finish the story. Were you to ask him if he did, he would say “of course I finished the story.” He would tell you that the 2 sentences at the end of the acknowledgements chapter is the ending.
Pah!! Why did he not tell us of Amy’s travels back to Africa?? Why did he not tell the readers why she remains at the camp called Abu’s with Randall Moore?? The most vital information a reader of Amy’s story is what happened to her when she was returned to Africa.

Mr. MacPherson you let your readers down. You let yourself down when you didn’t finish this book. Your readers emotionally invested in Amy, Bob, Buckles and Randall- to not finish the story with more than a kind of casual post script in the Acknowledgment chapter that most people rarely read is criminal. It is rather like buying a bottle of milk and having to leave the bottle with the cashier - but you can take the milk. Disappointing!!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable story. I have a long standing love for elephants and though I've never gotten to spend time with them in real life, I'm totally enchanted by them. Picked this book up from a local book shop. A couple days later I came down with a terrible cold and spent a weekend in bed. This story was a great companion and I was glad to have uninterrupted time to read it. (It's a quick, easy read but I rarely have to time for "real" books anymore).

Didn't realize is was the "Marlboro Man" until I was knee deep in the book. That just made it all the more intriguing as I remember those ads! (When I passed the book onto my daughter she just looked at me funny. Marlboro Man meant nothing to her. LOL) I'm grateful that the story didn't dig any further into the background as to how the original owner of the elephant acquired her. I know that poaching exists. I know that it's a terrible thing. It makes my heart hurt to think about it. I just couldn't bear to hear the details. The author provided enough information to completely understand what was happening without dwelling on the issue. I'm grateful for that.

Though my immediate response to my husband after reading this was "we have room for an elephant or two!" I can't truly imagine the responsibility that comes with owning one of these giants.

I definitely recommend to any animal lover.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir about a beautiful soul, Amy the Elephant. Amy was the only elephant left after a cull in Africa. A cull is where the entire family group is killed off. There is an old saying by the African hunters "Leave no one left alive" after a cull because of the elephant's amazing memory. In this instance, the hunters spared one young elephant who was still nursing. She saw her mother and all of her family killed, and she was terrified. The hunter boxed her up with the intent to sell her. He had a total of 6 young elephants he wanted to sell at a large profit to buyers in North America. Amy, the young elephant he named when in his care, did not thrive. She lost weight and was in mourning and appeared very sad.

This novel is about the amazing man, Bob (who was the original Marlboro Man), who had an affinity for animal and bought Amy. He rehabilitated her into an amazing elephant. This is the story of Amy's life and what happened to her. I loved the story of how this animal was so incredibly intelligent and seemed to have a sense of humor. I have a newfound appreciation for all animals and their intellect. I don't think education served me well in this regard or maybe it was just the times.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an enchanting true story of the Marlboro man and the orphan elephant he adopted. Bob was the epitome of the American cowboy, so much so that when an ad agency was shooting a man ad on his property they decided he would make a better, more realistic figure than the model they had.

When an orphaned African elephant is boarded on his ranch he eventually adopts her and a strong bond grows between them. She gets into all sorts of mischief and misadventures, but Bob helps her through them all.

While the story centers on Bob and his beloved pet, the author manages to share more about a number of men with a special love for elephants and they also play an important part in her future.

We are treated to a powerful story of a true cowboy, his life, and the intersection of that life with that of the orphaned animal. This book was a delight from beginning to end.

[Lisa N · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unusual and interesting story of the “Marlboro Man” adopting and raising a baby elephant orphan on his cattle ranch in Colorado in the 1990’s. I’ve been fascinated by elephants since I was a young girl, so this book sparked my interest. It ended with plans to send Amy the elephant back to a game preserve in Africa where she could be reintroduced into the wild.

This book was written in 2001 so I decided to google Amy and see if there were updates on her. Unfortunately it’s seems Amy never made it back to Africa. Looks like she spent time at animal sanctuaries in Tennessee and Arkansas. Both her and her daughter ended up in a zoo in Fresno, CA. Her daughter died in 2015 and Amy died in 2017 at the age of 30.

[Susan Greiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It is well written and a true story about Bob Norris (The first Marlboro Man) and his young female elephant, whom he adopted as a baby after she survived an elephant cull in Zimbabwe that killed her entire family. It is a remarkable story about a true cross-species friendship that endured the test of time, and it is an inspiring story illustrating the intelligence and adaptability of an elephant in the human world. As I read the story, I couldn't help envying Bob his connection with Amy the elephant. I was also surprised to realize that Amy and Bob lived in Colorado for years, only a couple of hours from where I grew up. Amazing story that made me feel good.