Forest dweller turning elephantine head around (6)

I believe the answer is:

gibbon

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'forest dweller' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.

'turning elephantine head around' is the wordplay.
'turning' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'elephantine' becomes 'big' (similar in meaning).
'head around' becomes 'bon' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'big' reversed gives 'gib'.
'gib'+'bon'='GIBBON'

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(Other definitions for gibbon that I've seen before include "Writer" , "Small ape - famous historian" , "MONKEY" , "Primate" , "Animal" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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