Throughout the novel, Katherine Applegate explores and critiques humans’ cruelty and exploitation of animals. In particular, the traumatic effect of human intervention on the lives of African elephants is illustrated through Ruby’s experiences. Ivory poachers kill Ruby’s mother to take her tusks. The two bull elephants urge Ruby away from her mother’s dead body: “You’ve got to hurry. They’re coming for the tusks (103). In the days and weeks following her mother’s death, Ruby’s despondency is clear: “I closed my eyes and tried not to remember Mama’s warm body, lying next to mine as the life slowly vanished from her” (111). Ruby’s devastation functions as an implicit critique of the practice of killing elephants, particularly mother elephants with calves, merely to acquire their tusks. Aunt Akello’s description of what humans use ivory for—statues, board game pieces, boxes, piano keys—underscore the unnecessary cruelty of killing elephants. All of these items are unnecessary trinkets; the implicit message is that these luxury items are not worth the widespread slaughter of elephants.

Ruby’s life continues to be affected by the cruelty of poachers even after her mother is killed. Poachers are involved not only in the ivory trade but also in the trafficking of animals to circus and zoo owners.