David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has, between 1987 and 2009, successfully hand-reared more than 85 newborn and very young elephant orphans at their Nairobi nursery, and others that were old enough and well enough to go straight to one of the Rehabilitation centres in Tsavo.
By the end of 2009, 36 elephant orphans from the nursery had been fully rehabilitated and are leading normal lives amongst the wild elephants of Tsavo.
The David Sheldrick Trust has a significant role in Kenya's conservation efforts, and has since it was founded in 1977. The trust speaks out when necessary on controversial issues and steps in unobtrusively and rapidly to bridge a gap or meet a shortfall that jeopardizes wildlife during times of Governmental economic constraints.
Because in life David Sheldrick strongly censored the extravagance of exorbitant overheads, the Trust places great emphasis on minimal expenditure in this respect, thereby ensuring that donations given in support of wildlife reach their target in full in the most practical and positive manner. The reputation of the Trust is a proud one, as was the record of the man whose name it bears, thanks to the dedication and energy of a competent Staff committed to the example of David Sheldrick as their role model.
Elephant orphanage
The Sheldrick elephant orphanage has become a well known tourist stop in Nairobi. Orphaned elephants (and a few rhinos) from all over Kenya are brought here and integrated into family groups of youngsters before they are relocated to some of Kenya's open spaces for release. It is possible to visit the elephants, which live on the western edge of the Nairobi National park, but only for 1 hour per day, between 11am and noon. The visit will help you understand the problems that elephants can face in Kenya, though some people will just go along and treat it more like a circus. Moor fool them. There is plenty to learn here as well as the opportunity to get close to these endearing animals.
The Sheldrick Trust also runs a veterinary unit, a desnaring unit and a community outreach unit. It is possible to adopt an orphan elephant, or just to donate to the trust.
Click here to go to their website.
The Adventure Company run various family holidays to Kenya that provide an opportunity to visit the Sheldrick elephant orphanage.
