Running Wild is a thrilling and emotional jungle adventure loosely based on the real-life story of a young girl in Thailand who was saved by an elephant during the catastrophic 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The story centres on Will, a boy on holiday in Indonesia with his mother, attempting to cope with the recent death of his father in the Iraq War. While on an elephant ride along the beach, Will is saved when Oona, the wise old elephant he is riding, senses the impending tsunami. Oona, acting on instinct, charges inland, carrying Will to safety on a hill just moments before the giant wave devastates the coast. The terrifying event leaves Will stranded and alone, deep in the jungle, with the elephant as his only companion. This forms the heart of the adventure, as Will learns to communicate with and depend on Oona for survival, utilizing the jungle skills his late father once taught him. Their journey together is fraught with danger, including encounters with a tiger and, most significantly, a run-in with human threats: a group of ruthless hunters involved in illegal poaching and the exotic pet trade. The book evolves into a powerful environmental call to action, shedding light on the destructive impact of deforestation, palm oil production, and the illegal animal trade. It is a compelling narrative of survival, interspecies friendship, and the harsh realities faced by the world's endangered wildlife.
