Elephants and Hope: A Visit to Nairobi’s Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Nestled on the edge of Nairobi National Park lies a sanctuary for orphaned baby elephants, victims of the ivory poaching trade. Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) operates the world’s most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program. To honor her late husband, David Sheldrick, Dame Daphne Sheldrick founded it in 1977.
My desire to travel to Kenya and visit the elephant orphanage stems from several reasons. First of all, I’ve always been enamored with elephants and how extraordinary these gentle giants are, especially after watching An Elephant’s World and Secrets of the Elephants on Nat Geo, which transported me to this incredible Kenyan wildlife operation. I’ve also read about the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and its dedication to rescuing, rehabilitating, and reintroducing orphaned elephants into the wild.
The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s capacity to save orphaned elephants and reintegrate them into the wild has me extremely interested. Every baby elephant has a heart-wrenching tale, but once they find sanctuary at the orphanage, there’s a glimmer of hope for their future. The tireless caretakers devote themselves to the elephants’ well-being, offering 24/7 care and sleeping alongside them for comfort.
On August 21, 2022, at dusk, visitors to Tsavo East National Park discovered Shujaa, a tiny calf left behind in a muddy embankment. Rescued just in time by the Voi Team and later flown to the Nairobi Nursery, his life was saved from certain peril.
The feeding process was a well-coordinated and heartwarming display. With bottles in hand, the keepers positioned themselves around the enclosure, and the elephants approached them with evident excitement. Watching the elephants guzzle down their milk bottles, some using their trunks to hold them just like a human child, was an utterly charming and unforgettable sight.
While the elephants fed, the keepers shared stories about each one, explaining how they had been rescued and brought to the Trust. We learned about the various challenges the elephants faced in the wild, from poaching to habitat loss, and how the Trust is actively working to mitigate these threats. After their bottles were empty, the playful antics began. The younger elephants, now energized, engaged in lighthearted play. Some elephants rolled in the dirt while others wandered in circles, eating twigs, branches, and bark!
Following their keepers’ instructions, the elephants slowly made their way back into the bush as the feeding period came to an end. Then, the next set of elephants came for feeding time, and we continued to watch them with joy and amazement.
As we left the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, the experience deeply moved us. Witnessing the elephants during feeding time offered a unique glimpse into their lives and the incredible work being done to ensure their survival. It was a heartwarming and educational visit that underscored the importance of conservation and the profound impact of compassionate care.
I am not affiliated with the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, but my visit to their elephant rescue center deeply moved me. Witnessing firsthand the dedication and compassion of the staff and the remarkable recovery of the orphaned elephants highlighted the critical importance of their work.
Supporting the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is a truly worthy cause. Their efforts are vital in protecting and rehabilitating these majestic creatures, ensuring they can thrive in the wild again.
Author: Cristy
Photo Credit: Nathan
The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s capacity to save orphaned elephants and reintegrate them into the wild has me extremely interested. Every baby elephant has a heart-wrenching tale, but once they find sanctuary at the orphanage, there’s a glimmer of hope for their future. The tireless caretakers devote themselves to the elephants’ well-being, offering 24/7 care and sleeping alongside them for comfort.
How do I visit?
The first option is a public midday visit to the elephant nursery. The second option is a private and exclusive afternoon encounter. Both options vary in price, group size, and experience. They are tightly managed and limited to just one hour each to ensure the elephants maintain a largely undisturbed daily routine. The public visit is scheduled for midday, 11 a.m.–noon. Guests must purchase their tickets precisely 90 days before their trip. No walk-up entries are allowed. The entrance fee is USD 15 per person. The midday visit is limited to 100 guests. The second option is private and limited to no more than eight individuals. The private encounters demand meticulous planning. This experience necessitates a generous USD 900 donation to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.SWT Impact
Daphne Sheldrick established the trust in honor of her late husband, dedicating her life to wildlife preservation and conservation. She pioneered the development of milk formula and nurturing techniques crucial for successfully rearing milk-dependent elephant and rhinoceros calves. Her groundbreaking work transformed the Orphans’ Project into the cornerstone of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, emerging as a global leader in wildlife conservation. Her achievements are unparalleled, with over 160 formerly orphaned elephants thriving in their natural habitats across Kenya. The care of growing elephants demands a continuous, round-the-clock commitment. Even after graduating from the nursery unit in Nairobi, three-year-old calves are transitioned to one of Sheldrick’s three reintroduction units for the next phase of their rewilding journey. Situated in Tsavo East National Park and Kibwezi Forest, these units offer the spaciousness necessary for the orphans to reintegrate into the wild, residing in areas inhabited by wild elephant herds. Here, they are gradually weaned and equipped with the skills essential for living as wild elephants. Rewilding is a gradual process tailored to each elephant’s unique requirements, often spanning several years. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s unwavering commitment to rescuing, rehabilitating, and reintroducing these wild orphans has earned it global acclaim, inspiring many conservation organizations worldwide.
How Can We Support?
Sheldrick Wildlife Trust commands my utmost admiration and endorsement. They have revolutionized Kenya’s approach to safeguarding its invaluable wildlife for over four decades. From their highly skilled team members to the management of eco-lodges and rewilding sites, Sheldrick consistently surpasses expectations as a conservation powerhouse. Please consider adopting one of their orphaned animals to bolster their impactful work. These digital adoptions offer a personalized adoption certificate, monthly email updates and watercolors, and exclusive access to keeper diaries. With a modest annual fee of just USD 50 per orphan, adopting one is a meaningful gesture of support and a profound way to align with Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s unparalleled mission. We adopted a two-year-old baby elephant named Shujaa, which means hero in Swahili.
On August 21, 2022, at dusk, visitors to Tsavo East National Park discovered Shujaa, a tiny calf left behind in a muddy embankment. Rescued just in time by the Voi Team and later flown to the Nairobi Nursery, his life was saved from certain peril.
Ethical Elephant Encounter in Kenya
Undoubtedly, the most ethically sound way to encounter elephants in Kenya is to observe them in their natural habitat. Kenya boasts renowned elephant herds in Amboseli, Masai Mara, and Tsavo, where these majestic creatures roam freely. Fortunately, Kenya’s tourism industry has yet to succumb to offering unethical elephant activities. Kenya, however, stands firm in its commitment to avoiding such exploitation within its tourism sector. Beyond the endeavors of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, another ethical elephant encounter awaits about 340 miles (550 km) north: the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. The Samburu region’s community-owned grassroots initiative is devoted to saving and rehabilitating orphaned elephant calves. Established in 2016, Reteti operates entirely locally, with a community-elected board overseeing all activities and employing caretakers exclusively from the local community to tend to the elephants. The sanctuary offers daily tours for visitors keen on witnessing their work firsthand. An elephant caretaker leads each tour group through the grounds so they can observe the calves during feeding and amusing mud-wallowing sessions. A visit to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary not only supports their noble mission but also contributes to the empowerment of the local community through positive tourism impacts in the region.
I Highly Recommend a Visit to the Sheldrick Trust
Our visit to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi was one of our most heartwarming and educational experiences, timed perfectly to witness the endearing elephant feeding time. There was intense excitement and anticipation as we gathered with other visitors in the observation area. We all gathered at the feeding area, a sizable, open area with ropes encircling it so we could get a close-up view without disturbing the elephants. The feeding time started with the baby rhino, Raha, parading with her two caregivers, who were walking side by side. Her name, Raha, means joy in Swahili, aptly reflecting the joy of her survival against all odds. There were twenty-one elephants at the rescue, and the first ten came out trotting into view. It was a delightful sight: these young elephants, with their wrinkled trunks and curious eyes, eagerly approached the keepers, knowing that a delicious giant baby bottle of formula awaited them. The keepers, devoted to their charges, began giving these gentle giants large bottles of specially formulated milk. Each bottle was customized to meet the nutritional needs of the individual elephants, ensuring they received the proper care and nourishment necessary for their growth and development.
The feeding process was a well-coordinated and heartwarming display. With bottles in hand, the keepers positioned themselves around the enclosure, and the elephants approached them with evident excitement. Watching the elephants guzzle down their milk bottles, some using their trunks to hold them just like a human child, was an utterly charming and unforgettable sight.
While the elephants fed, the keepers shared stories about each one, explaining how they had been rescued and brought to the Trust. We learned about the various challenges the elephants faced in the wild, from poaching to habitat loss, and how the Trust is actively working to mitigate these threats. After their bottles were empty, the playful antics began. The younger elephants, now energized, engaged in lighthearted play. Some elephants rolled in the dirt while others wandered in circles, eating twigs, branches, and bark!
Following their keepers’ instructions, the elephants slowly made their way back into the bush as the feeding period came to an end. Then, the next set of elephants came for feeding time, and we continued to watch them with joy and amazement.
As we left the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, the experience deeply moved us. Witnessing the elephants during feeding time offered a unique glimpse into their lives and the incredible work being done to ensure their survival. It was a heartwarming and educational visit that underscored the importance of conservation and the profound impact of compassionate care.
I am not affiliated with the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, but my visit to their elephant rescue center deeply moved me. Witnessing firsthand the dedication and compassion of the staff and the remarkable recovery of the orphaned elephants highlighted the critical importance of their work.
Supporting the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is a truly worthy cause. Their efforts are vital in protecting and rehabilitating these majestic creatures, ensuring they can thrive in the wild again.
Author: Cristy
Photo Credit: Nathan Latest Post
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