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Raising orphaned elephants. Raising an orphaned elephant is a true labour of love.
- Raising orphaned elephants. If you feel inspired by Mbegu’s story, and want to support her care, you can adopt through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Adoption Program. We make the same promise to every elephant we rescue: To nurture them through their infancy, giving them the confidence and competence to ultimately reclaim their place in the wild. However, our promise to rescue, raise, and reintegrate orphans back into the wild isn’t just one that we make to elephants - it’s a Raising awareness for elephants Elephants once roamed the plains of Africa in their millions but now, the species are officially endangered. Oct 24, 2025 · Since 2014, Lammie the sheep has been acting as a surrogate mother to orphaned baby animals and helping rehabilitate them so that they can return to the wild! Lammie lives at the Herd Trust Elephant Apr 30, 2024 · They knew Daphne had the expertise to raise orphaned elephants from her Tsavo days, and requested her input. Even the males stay with the herd anywhere from 10-19 years before they move on to a mostly solo bachelor life. 1182 injured animals were attended to in 2021 by Sheldricks 6 mobile ground and 1 sky veterinary unit. Foster an orphaned baby elephant with a tax-deductible donation. If you feel inspired by Tagwa’s story, and want to support her care, you can adopt through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Adoption Program. Do Elephants Adopt Orphans? Yes, elephants have been observed adopting orphaned elephants in the wild. Hand-Raising Orphan Asian Elephants, A Practical Guide for Asian Elephant Range Country Care Providers is an open-access online resource Born to Be Wild: Directed by David Lickley. It all began when we received a call from the KWS Community Warden of Meru National Park, about a lone orphaned baby elephant, separated from its herd in a c Orphan infant elephants are a challenge to raise because they remain fully dependent on their mother's milk for the first two years of life and partially so until the age of four. Babies often come into our care traumatised by the circumstances that left them orphaned. It's a testament to our approach in raising orphaned elephants that Tomboi is not only alive, but today living a wild life as a fully fledged member of the Tsavo population. Over the years, Daphne was called upon to help raise a number of orphaned elephant calves who came to the nearby Nairobi park headquarters. Queen of Elephants – Dame Daphne Sheldrick Why do elephants line up to hug a little old lady in Nairobi National Park? She’s their mother. He is Sities’s first baby, marking a wonderful new branch on our elephant family tree. It is our mission through Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development (HERD) to rehabilitate orphaned elephants and give them second chance at life. Underpinning this mission, our extensive field projects, which protect wildlife and preserve critical habitats across the Kenya. This will probably be the best thing you watch before 2022 ends. Every animal for itself, right? Not always. That led to the creation of our Nairobi Nursery, and spawned the Orphans’ Project. Arriving at the scene, rescuers from the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust knew they had a battle on their hands to save him from death How many animals are currently under your care? There are currently more than 80 orphaned elephants in our care, not forgetting our characterful black rhinos Apollo and Maxwell. Day and night, our wonderful Keepers nurture them as their Sep 4, 2024 · "Hand-Raising Orphan Asian Elephants, A Practical Guide for Asian Elephant Range Country Care Providers" is an open-access online resource that provides vital information for elephant veterinarians, veterinary technicians, care-givers, villagers, mahouts, and others tasked with caring for an orphaned Asian elephant. At Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, keepers sleep with orphaned baby elephants to help them overcome grief and form bonds so strong the elephants return to visit years after being released into the wild. At Elephant Cooperation, our Elephant Rescue and Rehabilitation initiative is dedicated to saving these vulnerable animals Important information about what to do if you find an orphaned calf. She was perfect for the job, situated within the Park and drawing from her extensive experience Mar 18, 2025 · It’s a boy! Sities — a very special orphan whose story is interwoven with triumph over the poaching crisis — has given birth to a beautiful baby bull, whom we named Sunni. Her injuries were severe. Mar 20, 2025 · Infant elephants are difficult feeders and thus this calls for the zoo keeper’s patience to encourage an orphan elephant to take enough milk. ” Pioneers in the rescue and hand-raising of orphaned baby elephants and rhinos, through to their reintegration to the wild when grown. Our extensive bibliography includes over 6000 citations. Here, the lone calf was spotted trailing elephant families, almost a stranger to the herd. Included are guidelines for assessing the health status of the calf, when and how to attempt reuniting a healthy calf with its herd, and the importance of transferring the calf to a facility or individual with hand-raising knowledge. Rehabilitation programs for displaced, sick, injured, or orphaned elephants play an important role in conservation efforts. How many of you know anything about raising orphaned baby elephants at all in real life, compared to what this woman running a wildlife sanctuary in Zimbabwe knows?! The Tsavo ecosystem remains the base for much of the SWT’s operations. We use unique business approaches to support protection, awareness, and communities in Africa. This behavior is known as "allomothering," and it is seen in both African and Asian elephants. Growth and behavioral development in orphan baby Asian elephants. Her legacy is immeasurable and her passing will reverberate far and May 30, 2024 · Raising an orphaned elephant is a true labour of love. Orphaned albino elephant, Khanyisa's journey of survival is nothing short of inspirational! Her story has touched the world. Mikota With contributions from Bhaskar Choudhury, Vijitha Perera, and Willem Schaftenaar Raising an orphaned elephant is a lot like raising a human child — it requires love, leadership, and the commitment of a lifetime. Adopt an orphan Nov 20, 2023 · It is not an easy task to raise a baby elephant orphan, and is much better done by a dedicated elephant orphanage like HERD. Oct 15, 2024 · Chaimu, an orphaned elephant found by Kristin Davis and rescued by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, visited the caretakers who helped her return to the wild and gave birth in front of them on Sept The origins of the Elephant Orphans' Project begin with the orphaned animals Daphne and David hand-raised from the 1950's. Elephant Cooperation is a non-profit devoted to raising awareness of the African elephant crisis and supporting existing NGOs who embrace our cause. Daphne has been saving orphaned baby elephants in Africa for over fifty years now, rescuing hundreds from certain death after their families were slaughtered by poachers for their ivory tusks. Baby elephants cried all night after being separated from their mothers but they weren’t alone. Wildlife vets estimated that she spent four days stuck in the snare. This heartwarming film documents orphaned orangutans and elephants and the extraordinary people who rescue and raise them-saving endangered species one life at a time. Aug 8, 2025 · Raising an orphaned elephant is a lot like raising a human child — it requires love, leadership, and the commitment of a lifetime. Elephant welfare is prioritized and released elephants contribute to genetic diversity and conservation efforts. These scenes highlight the crucial role of elephants nursing their young and the challenges faced when nature’s plan goes awry. Elephants Without Borders is proud to have rescued orphaned elephant calves and developed the first facility in Botswana dedicated to the rescue, care and reintroduction of African elephants. The latter is congenitally blind so will always have a protected home with us. [1] She was the founder of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The Appendix includes a compilation of attachments referenced throughout the Hand-raising Orphan Asian Elephants Guide, by chapter and in order of appearance. Dame Daphne Marjorie Sheldrick, DBE (née Jenkins; 4 June 1934 – 12 April 2018) was a Kenyan of British descent, author, conservationist and expert in animal husbandry, particularly the raising and reintegrating of orphaned elephants into the wild for over 30 years. We are best known for our pioneering Orphans’ Project, a first-of-its-kind program to rescue, raise, and rewild orphaned elephants and rhinos. Read more. Nov 12, 2023 · In the expansive savannas of Africa, a remarkable team of individuals commits their lives to foster and raise orphaned African elephants. If these are not readily available, feeding devices can be Sep 18, 2023 · Whenever we suffer an incomprehensible loss, we go back to words said by our founder, Daphne Sheldrick: “Raising orphaned elephants is a cocktail of joy, tempered with a good dose of tears. If you feel inspired by Kiasa’s story, and want to support her care, you can adopt through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Adoption Program. Feb 22, 2017 · The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is one of the centers rescuing orphaned elephants in Kenya. Without immediate intervention, many of these majestic animals would never recover. When you symbolically foster one of our orphans you are directly contributing to the round-the-clock care and companionship these fragile babies require. And dolphins? Let’s just say they have a soft spot for … Apr 1, 2016 · Growing up I only knew elephants from reading Babar the Elephant books and going to zoos. Watch for our Hand-Raising Guidelines for orphan Asian elephants coming soon! Sep 4, 2024 · Written by an international team of Asian elephant health and welfare experts, the new Hand-Raising Orphan Asian Elephants guide includes veterinary protocols, step-by-step instructions, photos, videos, and a variety of healthcare and welfare tools to ensure young orphan elephants have the opportunity to thrive--and be returned to the wild!. Sep 4, 2024 · Hand-Raising Orphan Asian Elephants, A Practical Guide for Asian Elephant Range Country Care Providers is an open-access online resource that provides vital information for elephant veterinarians, veterinary technicians, care-givers, villagers, mahouts, and others tasked with caring for an orphaned Asian elephant. 5,694 likes, 115 comments - sheldricktrust on August 7, 2025: "Raising an orphaned elephant is a lot like raising a human child — it requires love, leadership, and the commitment of a lifetime. Discover how the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust pioneered the rescue and hand-raising of orphaned baby elephants. This chapter includes: Developmental stages; Allo-parenting; Monitoring growth; Coprophagy; Weaning; Behavioral development; Play and exercise; Socialization; Enrichment for baby elephants. The dedicated caretakers from the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust stayed by his side, comforting him through the night. ly/Oc61Hj THESE are the incredible elephant nannies - who help raise orphan calves like they were their own babies. Sep 4, 2024 · PHOTOS for Press Release for the new Hand-raising Orphan Asian Elephants Guide. 🐘💔 At the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya, orphaned elephants find more than Elephant Care Facilities Elephant care facilities are crucial in providing the specialized care and environment needed for the emotional healing and physical rehabilitation of orphaned elephants. More than just a shelter for vulnerable animals, it is a living legacy of two Raising an orphaned elephant or rhino is a costly and long-term commitment, requiring years of round-the-clock nurturing from our specialist team of Keepers. Sep 4, 2024 · Press Release for public distribution 4 September 2024 Collaborating partners Work for Wild Life International and Elephant Care International announce the launch of an urgently-needed, professional resource to help save the lives of orphan Asian elephants. Doldol’s life was just beginning, and it is difficult to fathom why it ended so abruptly. So how do you raise the ones who've been tragically orphaned? Orphaned elephants were the most challenging creatures to raise, as no one had yet perfected the husbandry needed to see them through their fragile infancy. Pioneers in the rescue and hand-raising of orphaned baby elephants and rhinos, through to their reintegration to the wild when grown. Bovine-sized bottles (1-2 liter capacity) and nipples should be stocked in advance if possible. Poachers and habitat loss, amongst other threats, has brought African savanna elephants like Barsilinga to the brink of extinction, while their forest elephant cousins are listed as critically endangered. She was found in January 2020, as a four-month old calf - alone, without her herd in sight, with a poacher's snare around her cheeks and ears. Supporting these elephants on a journey that culminates with them living a life back in the wild. These facilities offer a safe and nurturing environment where the elephants can heal, grow, and develop the necessary skills to thrive in the wild. For orphaned elephants that lose their parents to poaching or drought, figuring Aug 10, 2020 · Daphne is world renowned for her efforts in hand raising orphaned elephants and rhinos, as well as any other small creature that came along in need of help. The founding warden of the 500-square-mile Tsavo East National Park, he dedicated his life to anti-poaching initiatives and hand-raising orphaned animals. By carefully studying their physical and emotional needs — and weathering no shortage of heartbreak in the process — Daphne finally cracked the code. A baby elephant orphaned or abandoned in the wild, whether due to fire, drought, human-elephant conflict or mothers dying from natural causes, simply cannot survive. This article illuminates the If you feel inspired by Ndotto’s story, and want to support his care, you can adopt through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Adoption Program. EWB's Elephant Sanctuary provided Hope and was a safe haven for […] Besides humans, baby elephants are among the slowest animals to grow up. This article illuminates the If you feel inspired by Jotto’s story, and want to support her care, you can adopt through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Adoption Program. Introduction to a practical guide for hand-raising orphan Asian elephants. Not only do Long-term commitment: Raising a single orphaned elephant can require two decades or more of care, including gradual soft release, monitoring, and post-release support. Aug 15, 2018 · For the first two years of life, a baby elephant needs about 42 gallons of its mother’s milk to survive each week. Like us, they have distinct and ɗყпαʍι̇ᴄ personalities. Each orphan has multiple adopters, and adoption funds support our Orphans’ Project and wider conservation programs, ensuring that every animal receives the same high standard of care. Now four years old, Khanyisa Aug 12, 2024 · A practical guide to hand-raising orphan Asian elephants for veterinarians, vet techs, mahouts and other elephant care providers in Asia. However, our primary goal is to keep elephant families together whenever possible, preserving the “perfect world” of which Daphne spoke. Jan 12, 2024 · Visit Tsavo National Park in Southeastern Kenya, where the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is making a difference in the lives of orphaned elephants. Founded in 1977 by Dame Daphne Sheldrick DBE, it is best known for its pioneering work in the rescue, raising, and rewilding of orphaned elephants and rhinos. Watch this 40 min documentary of incredibly heartwarming story of a Southern Indian couple who raise orphaned baby elephants and how their lives changed. But even after Pioneers in the rescue and hand-raising of orphaned baby elephants and rhinos, through to their reintegration to the wild when grown. Your gift goes toward expert health care, special lactose-free formula, and 24-hour care by devoted handlers. ” We are feeling that sentiment keenly right now. Introduction to a practical guide for hand-raising orphan Asian elephants. This chapter discusses guidelines for the release of elephant calves, taking into account the challenges and risks associated with such endeavors. Referred to as Savanna Guardians, these compassionate caregivers play a сгᴜсіаɩ гoɩe in nurturing these majestic creatures, offering them the care, love, and protection necessary for their well-being. The Trust seeks donations to foster or “adopt” an orphan at the Nairobi nursery, raising critical funds for their care. Managing soft releases and continued monitoring (using GPS collars and field teams) adds ongoing logistical and financial strain. The size of our orphan herd is always a telling indicator of conditions in the field. Over the past few decades, dedicated Trust staffers have raised and rehabilitated hundreds of elephants, and successfully released them back into Cute Baby Elephant Orphan Raised By British Students SUBSCRIBE: http://bit. In this case, the leader was established in quick, dramatic fashion. Written by an international team of Asian elephant health and welfare experts, the new Hand-Raising Orphan Asian Elephants guide includes veterinary protocols, step-by-step instructions, photos Items needed for hand-raising orphan elephants include commercially available bovine bottles and nipples (see Figure 4. Read about Elephant Care International's projects in Asia and the resources we provide to elephant veterinarians and caregivers worldwide. Raising an orphaned elephant is a lot like raising a human child — it requires love, leadership, and the commitment of a lifetime. Saving wild lives today and securing habitats for the future. With Morgan Freeman, Birute Galdikas, Daphne Sheldrick, Chris Fries. In the past two years, we rescued more orphaned elephants than the previous five years combined. The ivory Jan 30, 2021 · There was no premeditated idea of setting up an orphanage; the elephants very much found us after the Trust was founded in 1977, in memory of David Sheldrick. Discover more here. 45 known babies have been born to wild orphaned elephants who were bought up by Sheldrick’s. [US] The elephant Whisperers (2022) - 40 min documentary of a heartwarming story of a couple raising orphaned baby elephants. Our ability to raise orphaned elephants so that they will grow up as healthy, loved and supported animals is completely reliant on donations and the generosity of others. When a baby elephant is orphaned, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust steps in to offer love and safety before ultimately reintroducing it to the wild. Crucially, she also developed the first milk formula that young elephants could tolerate. If you feel inspired by Maktao’s story, and want to support his care, you can adopt through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Adoption Program. Hand-raising Orphan Asian Elephants is an open-access guide for range country elephant veterinarians, vet techs, mahouts, and other care providers. Apr 11, 2025 · Nestled on the edge of Nairobi National Park, the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage is one of Africa’s most remarkable wildlife sanctuaries. This month, we celebrate a mother’s love and delve into a few of these remarkable reunion Dec 24, 2021 · One of the most fulfilling parts of raising orphaned elephants is witnessing their transformation. Oct 1, 2024 · How do elephants care for their calves? We’ve all seen heart-wrenching images of orphaned elephant calves, their trunks curled around caretakers in wildlife sanctuaries. Dr. Elephants are communal animals. 1) and ingredients for milk replacement, including lactase enzyme. In the expansive savannas of Africa, a remarkable team of individuals commits their lives to foster and raise orphaned African elephants. ©Sarah Hoffman I am back at the Sheldrick Centre for my fifth or sixth Important guidelines for establishing the elephant nursery area, including: Staffing the elephant nursery; Location of the elephant nursery; Enclosures in an elephant nursery; Equipment and supplies for an elephant nursery; Hygiene issues in an elephant nursery; Exercise for orphan baby elephants. Aug 7, 2024 · At Micato, we’re proud to support the conservation efforts of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, an extraordinary foundation devoted to rescuing orphaned and injured African species—especially young elephants who have lost their mothers to poaching. Every elephant life matters, when their abandonment is due to human induced incidences, it cannot be ignored. Poaching, habitat destruction, and human-wildlife conflict leave countless elephants orphaned, injured, and traumatized each year. Dec 27, 2023 · When an orphaned elephant is rescued, thus begins the journey of a lifetime. Adult elephants will often take care of and protect orphaned calves, even nursing them if necessary. A Day in the Life of Orphan Elephants In nature, raising an elephant is a family affair. Known officially as the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, this unique organization has rescued, rehabilitated, and reintegrated hundreds of orphaned elephants back into the wild. How to introduce forage, browse, fruits, and vegetables to young orphan Asian elephants. Dame Daphne Sheldrick. These keepers treat every orphaned elephant like their own child — waking We are best known for raising Kenya’s orphaned elephants, ensuring that they too grow up surrounded by love. Orphan Asian elephant welfare overview. Witness Sep 4, 2024 · Hand-Raising Orphan Asian Elephants, A Practical Guide for Asian Elephant Range Country Care Providers is an open-access online resource that provides vital information for elephant veterinarians, veterinary technicians, care-givers, villagers, mahouts, and others tasked with caring for an orphaned Asian elephant. Equally important is the hands husbandry needed to raise a psychologically sound calf. In the wild, survival is brutal. Females live their entire lives (60-70 years) within a “family” herd. Hand-raising Orphan Asian Elephants Chapter 9: Medical Procedures By Susan K. Later, the emaciated baby collapsed under the shade of the tree, his life force ebbing away. THE ADOPTION SOLUTION But hand-rearing an orphaned milk dependent elephant isn’t cheap, costing upwards of $10,000 a year to raise each individual. Some creatures do the unthinkable—they care for babies that aren’t even theirs. Elephants are indeed strikingly similar to ourselves. We’re talking wolves adopting pups from rival packs. But it was while visiting the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust on the edge of Nairobi National Park in Kenya, my love affair with the world’s largest land mammal really began. They have saved hundreds of calves, and in addition offer veterinary help and educate local communities. Raising an orphaned elephant is a true labour of love. Oct 15, 2025 · Born - 💙🐘“He Cried All Night for Mom… But What These Men in Blue Did Will Melt Your Heart!” A baby elephant cried all night after being separated from his mother — but he wasn’t alone. Africa’s elephants face an uphill battle for survival. Raising orphaned elephants is not the work of a few years, but a long-term investment. 2 days ago · Even without mature elephants to model the behavior, orphaned calves still naturally form adopted family units led by a matriarch. Their adopted human mother. About Us Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is a global leader in elephant conservation and one of Africa’s most established wildlife charities. Later, I would see my first wild elephants in Africa. When an orphan is rescued, so begins a journey that can span upwards of a decade. Elephants shielding motherless calves. Apr 24, 2025 · In the savannas and forests of Africa and Asia, elephant herds demonstrate one of nature's most remarkable examples of compassion and community care through their treatment of orphaned calves. Day and night, our wonderful Keepers nurture them as their own, until the elephant is grown and ready to reclaim their place in the wild. Quick Facts – Elephant Rescuers By the end of 2021, 282 orphaned elephants and 17 orphaned rhinos were successfully raised by the Sheldrick trust. She was the first person to perfect the milk formula that enabled a human to care for an orphaned elephant and successfully raise an orphan to adulthood. Written by an international team of Asian elephant health & welfare experts—with decades of hands-on experience in Asia—this groundbreaking new resource provides veterinary protocols, step-by-step instructions, photos, videos, and a variety of Jul 11, 2019 · Best known for their pioneering work in rescuing, raising and reintegrating orphaned infant elephants back into the wild, SWT works to ensure a sustainable future for all wildlife and communities. Jun 10, 2025 · Selfless parenting isn’t just a human thing. Daphne Sheldrick, an internationally recognised expert on the care of infant elephants and rhinos, revolutionised wildlife rehabilitation by developing the first successful milk formula and husbandry techniques for raising orphaned, milk-dependent animals. The care takers play a crucial role in this regard, stepping in as the elephants surrogate family. The Elephant Formulary has up to date information about drug doses for elephants. Musiara is an orphaned elephant whose rescue story begins in 2017 in the Masai Mara. For $50 a year, donors can choose a baby elephant, for themselves or as a gift, receiving exclusive content including a Legends and Legacies of Conservation in AfricaDr Dame Daphne Sheldrick Dame Daphne Marjorie Sheldrick, DBE (née Jenkins; 4 June 1934 – 12 April 2018) was a Kenyan-British author, conservationist and expert in animal husbandry, particularly the raising and reintegrating of orphaned elephants into the wild for over 30 years. Raising giants without mothers: how orphaned elephants are nurtured to thrive! Good Earth Tours 228 subscribers Subscribe Dec 30, 2023 · As someone who had the υпι̇?υe experience of growing up with orphaned elephants as my peers, then raising them alongside my own children, I can attest to the truth of Daphne’s words. In the nearly 40 years since it opened, the trust has rescued and rehabilitated more than 190 elephants—95 of which have been fully reintegrated back into the wild—and 17 black rhinos. xlbz 0k pzjx li7rnzum ppz6w m0wyv 8aqr znuxwj 5vq7 bwjct