There's an elephant that came out of the zoo and lives in the garden!?

Do you remember the incident on March 23, 2023, when Sero, a Sanaba zebra, escaped from his enclosure at Seoul Children's Grand Park and roamed through downtown Seoul? Sero broke through a wooden fence within the park, escaped, and roamed through residential areas and roads throughout Seoul for approximately three hours, attracting numerous witnesses.
Reports and complaints poured in through various social media platforms, portal site communities, and even to police stations, fire stations, and animal groups.
Seoul Children's Grand Park officials joined forces with zookeepers, police, and fire departments to begin a capture operation, and after conducting a live capture operation and administering tranquilizers seven times, they succeeded in capturing the zebra Sero.
Fortunately, the captured zebra Sero was safely returned to the park.
The main character of the incident, the zebra Sero, is said to have gone through a period of rebellion after both of his parents died. (From the official YouTube channel of Seoul Facilities Corporation) I guessed that he escaped due to the accumulated stress of being born in an unfamiliar environment and the death of the parents he relied on.
This shows that confusion and depression are not emotions unique to humans.
Animals, like humans, have delicate emotions.

The elephant in the book is the only baby elephant in the zoo.
With no parents or friends, the only person he can rely on is his older sister, the zookeeper.
But the baby elephant wasn't lonely.
Because I ate lunch with the zookeeper, washed with her, cleaned with her… …and did everything together.
Then one day, when news broke that a great war was about to break out, people stopped coming to the zoo and some zookeepers even quit.
The government, concerned that harm would be done to people, ordered the killing of animals in zoos.
On the night bombs were falling on the city, a zookeeper appeared in front of a baby elephant who was trembling with fear.
The zookeeper sneaked out of the zoo with the elephant without anyone noticing and went to her house.
Then, in the morning, I took the baby elephant to the zoo without telling anyone.
It took great courage for the keeper to protect the baby elephant and ensure its survival during the war.
Thanks to the keeper, the baby elephant is a little safer.
How long can they keep playing this secret game of hide-and-seek?

In a tragic war born of human greed
A heartwarming hide-and-seek game between beings whose lives are not respected.

Outside the zoo, a terrible war rages, with bombs falling every day.
The baby elephant grows up healthy and safe every night thanks to the warm care of its keeper.
The zookeeper builds deep trust with the animals, who cannot communicate with each other, and empathizes with the elephants' behavior and emotions.
The bond between a baby elephant and its keeper goes beyond just the animal itself.
It shows the complex process of harmony between humans and nature through touching stories and lyrical pictures.
Even though war has broken out and it is difficult to protect herself, the keeper does not give up on the baby elephant.
How many hardships and fears must she have overcome alone to protect the elephants? Readers, watching the keeper, come to understand the true meaning of love, something unseen with the eyes.

In the tragic war caused by human greed, people are not the only beings whose lives are not respected.
Many animals are injured or killed by huge bombs, gunfire, and air raids.
War threatens the survival of animals by damaging and destroying various habitats such as forests, grasslands, and wetlands.
Livestock separated from their owners are abandoned or neglected and end up wandering the city.
Even at this moment, all over the world, legal systems and policies are being strengthened to protect life and rights, and life is being protected through relief efforts and support.
"We Will Always Be Together" is filled with a vitality that transcends the times, a deep connection and warm friendship between animals and humans, and a love for all life.

A magnificent portrait of a zookeeper who had the courage to protect a fragile being.

Elan Rankin, who wrote and illustrated this book, was inspired by a photograph.
The photo, discovered in the archives of Belfast Zoo, which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2009, was taken during World War II and shows a woman with a baby elephant in the backyard of a home in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The woman's name was Denise Weston Austin, and she was the first female keeper to care for Sheila, the only baby elephant at Belfast Zoo.
Denise, the 'guardian angel of elephants', decided to protect Sheila from government orders to kill some animals to protect the citizens of Belfast.
It is said that he actually rescued a baby elephant during the war and raised it in his home.

The story of the friendship between zookeeper Denise and elephant Sheila is a great inspiration to readers.
In addition to the inspirational story, it also teaches us the power of solidarity among small beings, the courage to continue to challenge even in tragic situations, and encourages us to pursue positive life changes.
Additionally, you can learn important life lessons by examining the atmosphere and issues of the times.
The genuine emotions and situations contained in these true stories will help you feel deeper empathy and compassion, and will provide you with a richer reading experience.
Meet the picture book "We Will Always Be Together," which illuminates the cruelty of war and the beauty and emotion found within it.

Recommended reviews

“A touching true story of friendship between a human and an elephant, told through imaginative narrative and sensual, dreamlike illustrations.”
_ [Booklist]

“It warms my heart.”
_ [Kirkus Review]

“A magnificent portrait of a zookeeper who had the courage to protect a vulnerable being.
“I recommend this as a beautiful book to be treasured.”
_ [School Library Journal]