Shukuru, Kinango, Kithaka and all the others have one thing in common: they all belong to the large and wonderful family of The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, an organisation that rescues and cares for orphaned elephant and rhino calves from across Kenya.
Founded in 1977 by Dame Daphne Sheldrick following the death of her husband David, and in his memory, this foundation plays an essential role in the conservation and protection of Kenyan species. The orphanage, located in Nairobi National Park, takes in young survivors — elephants and rhinos alike — found across the country. There, a team of keepers provides the newcomers with care tailored to their needs, a secure habitat, and all the attention required. Once recovered and strong enough, they move on to Tsavo National Park, where a new team of keepers accompanies them on their path back to freedom and the wild.
Kinango, a young orphan found on 12 August in the Kwale region, has found refuge with the foundation… Here is the moving story of his rescue:
[media id=16 width=560 height=315]
Sponsoring an elephant calf is one way to support this remarkable association:
Support The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust on their website www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/
Danièle met her young protégée, Shukuru, in September 2012. Here is her account:
“Elephants fascinate me…
I had known of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust through documentaries.
I have supported their work for two years. We had been thinking about and planning this trip to Kenya for a year.
After the trauma they have suffered (often due to poaching), orphaned elephant calves are brought to the “Nairobi nursery”. They stay there until they are three years old, then move on to Voi or Ithumba, where another team of keepers teaches them to return to the wild.
This trip allowed me to fulfil a dream: going to Ithumba and getting close to the elephant calves and the team of keepers.
Three magnificent days in Tsavo, where the red elephants are no myth.
Then four days of safaris in the Masai Mara: lions, cheetahs, leopards, wildebeest, giraffes — our African journey lacked nothing.
The icing on the cake: we ended our trip with a visit to our little protégée at the Nairobi nursery — an intense moment, pure emotion, as we met Shukuru for the first time, an elephant calf we have sponsored for two years.
This trip was enchanting from start to finish, filled with encounters and conversations with wonderful people.
Nothing to fault in the accommodation or the guidance, which made this stay anything but an ordinary trip!”
Her trip to Kenya with Étendues Sauvages: Ithumba, experience the exceptional in Kenya
Danièle was also kind enough to share a few souvenir photos:
Caring for Asian elephants:
Patara Elephant Farm, in Thailand, invites travellers to care for and tend to an elephant over the course of a day — a meaningful and respectful way to learn more about these remarkable mammals!
Experience close contact with Asian elephants: a tailor-made journey to Thailand!
