Dr. Merrill Sapp Releases New Book on Elephants, Hosts Author Event
Dr. Merrill Sapp, a Physician Assistant Professor at Stephens College, is bringing the world of elephants to life through her newly released book, Knowing Wonder: An Elephant Story.
A blend of fiction and nonfiction, the book explores the lives of elephants within the context of real behaviors, scientific insights, and environmental challenges.
As part of her book’s launch, Dr. Sapp hosted a “Conversation with the Author” event at Skylark Books in Columbia, Missouri, offering readers a chance to engage with her work and the stories behind it.
Sapp, a cognitive psychologist, professor, and advocate for elephant conservation, has dedicated her career to understanding and protecting these magnificent creatures.
Knowing Wonder invites readers to view elephants not just as animals, but as individuals with unique experiences, emotions, and social dynamics. “Clearly, every elephant has a story to which we must pay close attention,” she said.
Her motivation for writing the book is deeply personal and urgent. “African elephants may go extinct in the wild within a couple of decades—mostly because of what people from outside of Africa have done and are continuing to do,” Sapp explained.
“I can’t live with that knowledge and not do everything I can to raise awareness and inspire action. The main goal of the book is to close the distance people feel from animals and humans in faraway places to help readers feel more connected to the unfamiliar.”
A passionate student of nature, Dr. Sapp has traveled the world to study and work in the service of elephants. Her expertise in cognitive psychology allows her to explore how elephants perceive their world, how they respond to their environment, and how their environment, in turn, shapes them. Her writing has been featured in About Place Journal, Ecological Citizen, Earth Island Journal, and Mongabay News, showcasing her commitment to conservation and scientific storytelling.
For those eager to learn more, Knowing Wonder: An Elephant Story is now available for purchase. The book is available locally at Skylark Books in Columbia, or on Amazon.
