Author Mary Baures To Discuss Raising Baby Elephants At Tewksbury Library

TEWKSBURY, MA -- Author Mary Baures will discuss her book, Love Heals Baby Elephants: Rebirthing Ivory Orphans, on Thursday, July 28 at 7pm at the Tewksbury Public Library. Baures will also share a stunning multimedia presentation with beautiful elephant photos.

Only 3 percent of baby elephants survive when orphaned by poachers who slaughtered their parents for their ivory. Touched by their plight, Dr. Mary Baures, a psychologist expert in treating trauma, traveled to Africa and adopted a baby elephant through the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. That visit inspired a series of photography safaris during which she captured the strength, grace, and majestic beauty of African wildlife. At the same time, she chronicled the devastating consequences of the brutal ivory trade, and the joyous recovery of a few orphaned calves. She has now adopted four baby elephants.

Love Heals Baby Elephants: Rebirthing Ivory Orphans explores how love, community and play help these babies overcome their trauma. Behind the joy of the survival of a few is still the horror of the global trafficking of elephant tusks and rhinoceros horns through organized crime, corrupt governments, and greed. These wise and gentle giants are now on the brink of extinction. Dr. Baures’ breathtaking photos are an urgent call to action to stop the imminent extinction. Love Heals Baby Elephants takes the reader on an unforgettable journey.

Mary Baures is a writer and artist who practices psychology in Beverly, Massachusetts. She holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from Antioch New England, a certificate of advanced graduate study in human development from Harvard University, and three master’s degrees—in psychopharmacology from the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, in counseling from Boston University, and in creative writing from Boston University. Dr. Baures has been published in the Boston Globe Sunday Magazine and many other publications. She is also the author of Undaunted Spirits - Portraits of Recovery from trauma, and co-produced the film, "Strong at the Broken Places - Turning Trauma into Recovery."

Adults, high school students, and middle school students from Tewksbury and beyond are invited to attend this free hour-long event. A Q&A and book selling and signing – for those interested – will take place after the presentation. Due to limited space, attendees are asked to pre-register and reserve their seats by calling 978-640-4490 x 205, emailing rhayes@mvlc.org, or visiting the library’s online calendar of events at www.tewksburypl.org. The event will take place in the library’s first-floor, handicap-accessible Meeting Room. The library is located at 300 Chandler Street, at the corner of Chandler and Main Street (Route 38).