On my trip to Nairobi, Kenya, it was inevitable that I pay a visit to the David Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage. During my visit, I was able to interact and meet just some of the 24 current orphans in the compound. Petting the little–yet enormous–animals, my group and I decided to adopt one of the elephants and donate to the important facility. Also during my visit, I was able to learn a lot about elephant conservation and poaching prevention, and overall the mission of Sheldrick’s Wildlife Trust.
At the heart of the DSWT’s conservation activities is the Orphans’ Project, which has achieved world-wide 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.
David Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage Mission Statement:
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust embraces all measures that compliment the conservation, preservation and protection of wildlife. These include anti-poaching, safe guarding 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.
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.
Can’t wait to keep up with our adopted elephant, Ropa. According to the volunteers at the center, Ropa is quite the misbehaved little elephant….
Life of Hy 