An orphanage in Kenya run by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has rescued over 150 baby elephants who lost their mothers to poachers.
Kenya (31 August 2015) – “And it’s all play and no work for these orphans.”
Born from one family’s passion for Kenya and its wilderness, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is today the most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program in the world and one of the pioneering conservation organisations for wildlife and habitat protection in Africa.
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust embraces all measures that complement the conservation, preservation and protection of wildlife. These include anti-poaching, safeguarding the natural environment, enhancing community awareness, addressing animal welfare issues, providing veterinary assistance to animals in need, rescuing and hand-rearing elephant and rhino orphans, along with other species that can ultimately enjoy a quality of life in wild terms when grown.
At the heart of the Trust’s conservation activities is the Orphans’ Project, which has achieved worldwide acclaim through its hugely successful elephant and rhino rescue and rehabilitation program.
The Orphans’ Project exists to offer hope for the future of Kenya’s threatened elephant and rhino populations as they struggle against the threat of poaching for their ivory and horn and the loss of habitat due to human population pressures and conflict, deforestation and drought.
To date the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has successfully hand-raised over 150 infant elephants and has accomplished its long-term conservation priority by effectively reintegrating orphans back into the wild herds of Tsavo, claiming many healthy wild-born calves from former-orphaned elephants raised in our care.
“Eventually, all the elephants will be released back into the wild and will live in the protected Tsavo National Park.”
Until then, babies spend their days with human carers and elephant friends while indulging in plenty of games.
For more information, to get in touch and assist the Trust, visit their Facebook and Website.
But for now… here’s a sneak peek into an elephant orphanage and what these little guys get up to…
Learning to tumble.
Soccer is one of their favourite games.
Soccer is one of their favourite games.
Baby Ashaka is given a lesson on how to use her trunk.
Ashaka, Kamok, Kauro and Mbegu are taken out into the bush in Nairobi National Park for a day of play with their human surrogate parents.
A cuddle with my dad! One of the youngest elephants at the orphanage snuggles up to his keeper. The smallest orphans often seek comfort this way.
These two are exhausted after a fun day in the mud pool.
Rorogoi takes care of an itch with the help of a conveniently placed tree.
Baby Mbegu (left) stands with her friend Kauro. She was rescued from a horde of angry villagers by a group of rangers who protected her.
Naipoki and Mutara indulge in a spot of heavyweight wrestling.
Older orphans at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Ithumba orphanage get a lesson on how to live life in the wild.
Ashaka and Kamok cuddle up in the sand.
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