A visit to the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage

A year ago, we decided to sponsor some of the elephants in the Elephant Orphanage of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. During our last safari to Kenya, we visited the Nursery in the Nairobi National Park. It was endearing to see the elephants run towards their “home” after a long day in the bush. Before bed the little ones get a bottle of milk and some freshly cut leaves. The trained keepers replace the elephant’s lost family, together with the other orphans. They keep them company and even sleep near the orphans. It can take up to 10 years until the elephant calves are ready to be brought back into a wild heard. Like humans, elephants need time to grow and develop, to be able to lead independent lives within a social structure. Elephant populations are currently under great pressure. Poaching for ivory has become a ruthless international business with a lot of money involved. Helping the orphaned elephants who have lost their families is the least we can do. Fostering an elephant will give you the opportunity to support them and through the monthly updates, you will be able to follow their lives.