SheldrickTrust

As Lenny led the Umani herd home for the evening, Zigi decided to hitch a free ride! This is classic playful behaviour among baby elephants — entertaining and energy efficient. Zigi even catches some air at the end! Lenny and Zigi are among 77 known calves born to orphans we rescued, raised, and reintegrated into the wild. These young elephants are the greatest testament to the success of our Orphans’ Project — showing how saving one orphan can pave the way for generations of elephants. Meet the family: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/calves #sheldricktrust #elephants #babyelephants #wildlife #animals #nature #animalrescue #elephant #games #Siblings #conservation #sheldrickwildlifetrust

The boisterous baby bulls are brimming with bravado! Little Zigi is like a coiled spring this morning, filled with so much energy he doesn’t know where to direct it. After games with Lenny, he breaks rank and looks to engage one of the Keepers. After styling out a double knee drop, which didn’t see the Keeper move an inch, he turns on his heels ready to reengage with Lenny. Both calves are here today thanks to lives saved many years ago, in this case, Zongoloni and Lima Lima. In rescuing, raising, and rewilding orphaned elephants, we are supporting individuals and the entire species. Your support makes this a reality 🙏 sheldrickwildlifetrust.org #sheldricktrust #elephants #babyelephants #babyanimals #bulls #bravado #games #elephant #animalrescue #animals #wildlife #nature #conservation #kenya #sheldrickwildlifetrust #boys #safari

We're often asked how orphaned black rhino Raha spends her days, so we decided to create this special video charting her adventures! 🦏 We hope you enjoy it, in the knowledge that it is only with donor support that we can provide the unique care this special little rhino needs. Read more about a day if the life of Raha, who arrived to us in a terrible state having been attacked by predators, at: swt.org/raha #sheldricktrust #rhino #raha #blackrhino #nairobi #kenya #nairobinationalpark #animalsanctuary #wildlife #conservation #animals #animalrescue #dayinthelife #sheldrickwildlifetrust

Wishing a very Happy Father’s Day to all the paternal figures in our lives! Today — and every day — we give special thanks to our Keepers. It takes an extraordinary person to raise an orphaned elephant. Many of our Keepers say they have their human children and their elephant children — but really, they’re all their children! Each one is raised with a lifetime of love, dedication, and support. Orphans like Toto (pictured here as a baby with Keeper Joseph) are guided by their Keepers every step of the way, until they are ready to reclaim their place in the wild. Ask any Keeper about their greatest pride, and you’ll likely hear the same answer: seeing ‘their’ babies grow up happy and healthy, return to the wild where they belong, and one day start families of their own. #FathersDay #sheldricktrust #paternal #happyfathersday #wildlife #elephants #babyelephant #fatherhood #conservation #animals #sheldrickwildlifetrust #dad

An extraordinary story from Ithumba Head Keeper Benjamin🔊 Several years ago, this bull appeared and calmly walked into a stockade. Such behaviour is highly unusual for a wild elephant — so Benjamin and the team went to investigate: They found he had been struck in the ankle by an arrow. Once he saw his message for help had been received, the bull walked back out of the stockade and waited. We mobilised the SWT/KWS Tsavo Vet Unit, who treated his injury. Joint wounds can have lethal implications, so this intervention very likely saved his life. Despite being wild from birth and wounded by human hands, he understood we offered a place of sanctuary in the landscape - likely communicated to him by our ex-orphans and other elephants we have treated over the years. The bull has returned from time to time ever since — as he did at the weekend — just checking in and saying hello to those who came to his aid. More about our conservation mission: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org #elephants #elephantintuition #intelligence #sheldricktrust #wildlife #nature #veterinary #conservation #animals #sheldrickwildlifetrust #ithumba #sanctuary

Power nap complete… with a big stretch a recharged Zigi is ready to resume baby elephant activities: Games with Lenny and Sulwe, milk feeds from mum, Sonje, and general spoiling from nannies Enkesha and Kiasa. This care free existence is not the norm for infant elephants. The rescued orphans in our care are testament to the tough and tragic beginnings that many elephants endure, but with your support, we’re offering second chances to orphaned elephants and a protected wild environment in which they - and any babies they have - can thrive. Learn more: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org #sheldricktrust #elephants #babyelephant #powernap #catnap #animalrescue #wildlife #conservation #animals #kenya #sheldrickwildlifetrust

Newborn elephants can stand within 20 minutes of birth — they need to, in order to keep up with their herd which will regularly be on the move. Ex-orphan Kalama's brand new baby girl Kapuki had no issues finding her feet when she entered the world on 1st July, but the sloped surface outside our Ithumba Stockades clearly presented an amusing challenge for her yesterday! Kalama stays focused on her food - she's feeding for two after all - knowing her little girl will figure it out, and if she doesn't, there are plenty of willing nannies on hand. Kapuki is the 77th calf born to an orphan we have rescued, raised, and rewilded, and now we are welcoming grand-calves too. Elephant families here today because of a life saved many years ago. Your support makes this possible: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org #sheldricktrust #elephants #babyelephant #animals #babyanimals #wildlife #nature #conservation #borntobewild #nanny #tumble #sheldrickwildlifetrust

Shepherding a band of wandering bulls off community land and back into a protected area. Yesterday afternoon, KWS received reports of a bachelor herd that had strayed onto community land. Given the high risk of human-elephant conflict, we launched an aerial response — the size and dispersal of the group made it a two-helicopter job. Flying in tandem, our pilots successfully shepherded 17 elephants across the river and back to the safety of Tsavo East National Park. We’re committed to creating a sustainable future for wildlife and the communities who live alongside them. To learn more about our work: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org #coexistence #sheldricktrust #elephants #animals #kenya #elephant #wildlife #tsavo #conservation #helicopter #aerial #hwc #hec #sheldrickwildlifetrust

Tourists in Tsavo West NP reported an injured giraffe. He needed help, but we faced a challenge: The majority of the SWT/KWS Tsavo Vet Unit was engaged in another operation, so we were working with a skeleton crew. Usually a team of four, in this case, it was on the shoulders of two men - Roan and Kemboi - to safely ground and secure the patient, before reversing the anaesthetic, after he'd been darted by KWS Vet Dr Lawi from our helicopter. [A giraffe's physiology makes full anaesthesia extremely risky, so they are sedated — just long enough to be roped to the ground — then immediately revived for treatment.] Dodging flailing limbs, the team managed to secure the giraffe’s leg to treat his injury. It was badly infected and filled with maggots, which would have eaten away at the wound without intervention. On completing the treatment, Kemboi stepped away from the patient’s head so he could swing to his feet. He will make a full recovery! Read the full story at: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/news #sheldricktrust #giraffe #vet #veterinary #wildlife #kenya #tsavo #wildlifevet #tallest #animalrescue #treatment #helicopter #aerial #animals #sheldrickwildlifetrust

It’s our trio of trouble — Lenny, Sulwe, and Zigi! Our Umani Springs Reintegration Unit is quickly turning into a crèche! Orphans Lima Lima, Sonje, and Zongoloni all gave birth in quick succession — and now their little ones are growing up like siblings. It works out well for the mothers: Between all the fun, games, squabbles, and dramas (the full range unfolds by the minute!), babies Lenny, Sulwe, and Zigi keep each other thoroughly entertained! Discover more tales from Umani in our Keepers’ Diaries: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/keepers-diaries #sheldricktrust #elephants #babyelephant #wildlife #animals #nature #kenya #conservation #creche #sheldrickwildlifetrust #elephant #friendship

It’s Raha’s favourite time: nap-time! As a baby, Raha was attacked by predators, leaving her with a mutilated rear end and a host of veterinary challenges. Her journey has been difficult, but we’re so encouraged by her progress and constantly inspired by her determination. Learn more about Raha and her incredible story of survival — and find out how you can support her through an adoption: swt.bio/raha #sheldricktrust #blackrhino #rhino #wildlife #animals #kenya #nairobi #nairobinationalpark #conservation #animalrescue #naptime #sheldrickwildlifetrust

An elephant's trunk is a wonderful thing! Made up of 40,000 muscles, it's a nose that knows no bounds: Its wearer can use it to smell water from 12 miles away, as a snorkel when swimming, to pick a single leaf from a tree, to lift or move a fallen tree, to collect water to drink, to cuddle loved ones and so, so much more. Mastering such a dextrous tool takes time and Zigi — at only five weeks old — is still very much in the stage of finding her trunk to be simply fascinating! Zigi is one of 76 known wild-born elephant babies — calves mothered by orphans we have rescued, raised, and rewilded. You can read about her mum Zongoloni and our first introduction to her baby bull at: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/zongoloni #sheldricktrust #elephants #babyelephant #animals #calf #babyanimals #trunk #muscles #elephant #wildlife #kenya #conservation #safari #umani #kibwezi #animalrescue #nature #sheldrickwildlifetrust

Speared in a case of human-wildlife conflict and surrounded by cattle, cars, and hundreds of people — this lion was in a dire situation. Reported by Big Life, our fixed-wing pilot confirmed his location, allowing the SWT helicopter to collect and transport the SWT/KWS Mobile Vet Unit to the scene. The lion lying next to a school, deep within community land on Mbirikani Group Ranch. He had a serious spear wound to his shoulder, and in his compromised state had been targeted by rival male lions, who’d left him riddled with fight wounds! Dr Lawi darted the patient, so he could be transported into a protected area. It was here the vet treated his extensive injuries: Dr Lawi is hopeful he will make a full recovery. Our thanks to Big Life and Lion Guardians, who supported the treatment and will continue to monitor the progress of this king of the jungle. Our SWT/KWS Vet Teams have attended to more than 13,600 wild animals, including 803 lions - a species classified as vulnerable to extinction. With your support, we can be there for wildlife in need: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/donate #sheldrick #lion #bigcat #wildlife #animal #vet #veterinary #kenya #lions #vulnerable #extinction #conservation #animalrescue #sheldrickwildlifetrust #kws #kenyawildlifeservice #hwc

Chamboi the rhino and Twiggy the giraffe have been walking buddies for a long time. This evening stroll reminded us of a similar scene from exactly a year ago: Chamboi has grown outwards and Twiggy upwards over the past 12 months, but they still enjoy each other’s company enormously! Tall or small, we make the same promise to every orphan we rescue: to love them, guide them, and care for them — until they’re ready to reclaim their place in the wild. 🦏🦒🐘 Join our herd and adopt an orphan in our care: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans #sheldricktrust #giraffe #rhino #wildlife #walk #animals #kenya #conservation #nature #animalrescue #friendship #sheldrickwildlifetrust

Another graduation in the books! Early yesterday morning, Mageno, Kitich, and Muwingu took the next step in their journey back to the wild, graduating to our Ithumba Reintegration Unit in Tsavo East National Park, where they were welcomed by old Nursery friends Choka, Mukutan, and Loldsiga who made the same journey in January. This is just a glimpse of their first steps in Ithumba. The full story is coming soon. Thank you for your support! Sheldrickwildlifetrust.org #sheldricktrust #elephants #animals #elephant #kenya #wildlife #conservation #animalrescue #graduation #graduates #tsavo #africa #safari #sheldrickwildlifetrust

Friends reunited! Following their graduation to Ithumba on Monday, Mageno and Muwingu are navigating their path — and today's route — back to the wild. Supporting that journey — quite literally in this video — are their old Nursery friends, Choka, Mukutan, and Loldaiga, who themselves graduated six months ago. Remind yourself of Choka, Mukutan, and Loldaiga's graduation at: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/news/updates/mukutan-choka-loldaiga-graduate #ForeverFriends #elephants #sheldricktrust #wildlife #tsavo #animalrescue #animals #conservation #adopt #borntobewild #sheldrickwildlifetrust #fosterfriday

Chapeyu’s story is a unique one, given his age: On 13th February, our SWT/KWS Kulalu Anti-Poaching Team reported a speared elephant near the eastern boundary of Tsavo East NP. Our pilot flew to the scene and found a young bull — seven or eight years old — with a serious wound to his front ankle joint. He cut a lonely figure, trying his best to hobble along. The injury was dire, and at his age, he was also highly vulnerable to lions. The plan was for the SWT/KWS Tsavo Vet Unit to treat him in the field and let him heal. But as the operation unfolded, it became clear he was on a fine line between life and death. The spear wound was terribly infected, compromising the joint. If the bull was to have any hope of survival, multiple follow-ups would be required. To preserve the bull’s life and give him the care he needed, Dr. Limo deemed it necessary to bring him to our Voi Reintegration Unit. While certainly older than a typical orphan rescue, he fell into the adolescent age bracket and would be in good company among our Voi orphan herd. We named him Chapeyu, and you can read his full rescue and recovery story - and add him to your foster family - at: swt.bio/chapeyu #sheldricktrust #veterinary #elephant #elephants #bull #injury #spear #vet #animal #wildlife #kenya #wildlifevet #animalrescue #treatment #lifesaving #antipoaching #sheldrickwildlifetrust #wildliferescue

Korbessa’s mornings begin with a very special standing appointment: a bonus bottle! All her Keepers are in on the secret. They open her bedroom first, she toddles out as fast as her little legs will carry her, and makes a beeline for the extra bottle of milk waiting just for her near her old stable. Toto, Mwinzi, and Natibu don’t show any interest in getting an extra bottle. Perhaps they feel it’s a deserved treat for the youngest member of their quartet. Discover Korbessa’s story at: swt.bio/korbessa #sheldricktrust #elephants #milk #bottle #treat #animals #wildlife #animalrescue #kenya #wildliferescue #tsavo #sheldrickwildlifetrust #adopt #elephant #babyelephant

No animal is immune to a poacher's snare, not even the world's largest land mammal! Fortunately, this teenage elephant got the help he needed before it was too late. He was initially sighted by our SWT/KWS Chyulu Mobile Anti-Poaching Team, but disappeared into the Chyulu lava fields before a treatment could be mobilised. The next day, our pilot set out to find him. It took three hours of focused flying, but he eventually spotted the bull several kilometres from his last known location. As feared, the wound was badly infected and in urgent need of treatment. We mobilsed our response, bringing in our helicopter and the SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit. Dr Kariuki darted the patient from the helicopter, and as the elephant fell, the team moved in to remove the snare and treat the wound. The injury was infected and infested with maggots, but fortunately, the snare hadn’t yet compromised the joint. We estimate this bull to be in his mid-teens. A snare threatened to rob him of the many decades he has ahead of him — but thanks to the persistence of our teams, he now has his life back. Donors enable us to have eyes in the sky and teams on the ground, putting us in position to spot injured animals and provide the lifesaving treatment they need. Learn more and support our work: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org #sheldricktrust #elephants #poaching #wildlife #conservation #animals #aerial #kws #kenyawildlifeservice #kenyawildlife #veterinary #animalrescue #sheldrickwildlifetrust

Water is life and that’s never truer than in Tsavo East. An arid environment, characterised by its red coloured earth, becomes a parched landscape in the dry season, supported by a single permanent river, known as the Athi/Galana. That’s where we come in, supporting wildlife during this period – and throughout the year – through the provision of water from the multitude of boreholes we’ve drilled to the delivery of thousands of litres of water to fill troughs we’ve built at strategic locations. Operating 9 bowsers, we can help keep elephants and other wildlife hydrated during the toughest months, as they traverse the ecosystem moving between areas of remaining vegetation. In Ithumba, our water bowser and driver are so well known – and appreciated – that the wild elephants step back and watch as the troughs are topped up, often three times in a day! Your support makes this work possible. Learn more and get involved at: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/projects/water-for-wildlife #sheldricktrust #elephants #tsavo #water #wildlife #arid #waterislife #animals #bowser #sheldrickwildlifetrust #kenya #conservation #nature