POST TWO – Orphans and The David Sheldrick Trust

I am changing plans to stay an extra night in Nairobi so I can go back to the David Sheldrick Trust to see the baby elephant orphans again. Helping save the lives of orphaned Elephants and Rhinos who are ultimately released back into the wild is just some of the many wildlife commitments The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is involved in.

The Trust runs seven full time Desnaring teams, two mobile Veterinary Units, and is active in a Community Outreach Program along with working with the communities in an educational capacity locally, and through articles for the Wildlife Clubs of Kenya, the Press and Radio Programs. The Trust has also provided advanced training in wildlife management for promising students.

These orphaned elephants are the cutest but their stories are so sad. At least they have one another and can build a new family. All elephants get released into a transition park where they can join the wild herd whenever they want. The wild herd are all eles rescued by the trust. 150 elephants have been rescued, the youngest 3 days old. They have joined the wild herd as young as 4 and as old as 15.

Drove out to the Trust and saw the little orphans. Then the big orphans came into their beds for the night where the keepers sleep with them and feed them bottled water every three hours. The little babies 1 week and 4 weeks get milk on demand. They are so cute. Dabassa was grabbing my hand and putting it in his mouth. I must admit I was rubbing his tongue at first and giving his chin a scratch. “Ahhh, I can take advantage here”, he said.

A 1 week old baby was found wandering along a road at 7 pm last night and was brought in. Unbelievable. So frail and wobbly on his feet. Little trunk going around in circles as he tried to navigate it. He kept trying to snuggle with the keeper. Poor little thing. They don't know what happened to the mother. I think Kabato was his name. If you look up the website they should post news of him when they get a chance.

I’m glad I spent the extra time in Nairobi and saw the orphans again. It is something truly worth seeing. The work of the Trust is amazing! I have already fostered a couple of orphans ($50USD each), including Dabassa of course, and will be looking at this as a Xmas present option for my mum and dad for sure.