Weaver Bird
The weaver bird is one of the most common birds found in Kenya. Its bright orange and yellow colours make it very beautiful. Do you know why it is
called a weaver bird?
It is because this bird makes its nest by weaving threads of grass! Here is a video showing how the weaver bird makes its
nest.
Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
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Elephant with Snare Cutting into his Trunk Gets Help | Sheldrick Trust
For many months, this elephant lived with a snare slicing around his trunk. Left untended, it likely would have severed his trunk.
The patient was initially a human-wildlife conflict case: He had taken up residence on community land, so the SWT helicopter was sent to shepherd him back to the safety of Tsavo East National Park. In the process, our pilot noticed something amiss with his trunk. We quickly realised it was a poacher’s snare, cinched tight.
The SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit rushed to the scene and, with support from our Aerial Unit, darted the patient. From there, treatment was swift and straightforward. The snare had been in place for at least three months, and in that time, the resultant wound had completely healed over.
The grisly truth is that the snare would only have come off when it took the elephant’s trunk with it. When we removed the wire, it had tightened to just a few inches in circumference. Yet this elephant was a young adult — with plenty of growing left to do. As he reaches full size, his trunk will triple or quadruple in circumference. But with a snare constricting its growth, the lower half of the trunk would have been left hanging by a narrow strip, which ultimately would have caused it to fall off. Now, with the snare removed, his trunk can grow normally, even if it always bears lasting battle scars.
Fortunately, a single snip of the snare was all it took to save the trunk. An African elephant’s trunk is a feat of natural engineering, with over 40,000 muscles that allow it to function even with holes or scar tissue. This muscular complexity also keeps the trunk in constant motion, which is why sutures would never hold — nor were they necessary, as there was no open wound to close.
Despite the gravity of the injury, the elephant is breathing, eating, and drinking as he should. Even with lasting damage to the trunk, he will be able to lead a full and healthy life. Our very own Enkesha, an orphan who suffered a snared trunk as a baby, can attest to this.
Read the full story: https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/news/updates/bull-snared-trunk
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These are your donations at work. Thank you for empowering us to answer the call for Kenya’s elephants, from rescuing orphans to mitigating human-wildlife conflict to mobilising life-saving treatments.
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Established in 1977, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) operates the world’s most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program, rescuing and hand-rearing orphaned elephants and other animals that have lost their mothers, all too often as a result of human activity. But we do much more than this. Through our Aerial, Anti-Poaching and Mobile Veterinary Units, we safeguard the natural environment and provide immediate assistance to wild animals in need. We also secure irreplaceable wilderness areas so that animals will always have space to roam and work with local partners and communities to ensure people and wildlife can live alongside one another.
More Information about the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust can be found on the website ▶ https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/
Adopt an Orphan in need ▶ https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans
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Three months of baby elephants Lenny and Sulwe | Sheldrick Trust
Our enchanting Umani babies, Lenny and Sulwe, were only born in December — but in the past three months, they have taken the Kibwezi Forest by storm.
Read more: https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/news/updates/lenny-and-sulwe
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Established in 1977, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) operates the world’s most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program, rescuing and hand-rearing orphaned elephants and other animals that have lost their mothers, all too often as a result of human activity. But we do much more than this. Through our Aerial, Anti-Poaching and Mobile Veterinary Units, we safeguard the natural environment and provide immediate assistance to wild animals in need. We also secure irreplaceable wilderness areas so that animals will always have space to roam and work with local partners and communities to ensure people and wildlife can live alongside one another.
More Information about the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust can be found on the website ▶ https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/
Adopt an Orphan in need ▶ https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans
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Team Effort to Help a Snared Buffalo | Sheldrick Trust
After his neck became caught in a poacher’s snare, this buffalo carried a horrific injury for more than 60 kilometres as he tried to outrun his fate. Thanks to a keen sighting from our rangers, a dogged follow-up search from the air, and rapid veterinary intervention, his life was saved.
Read the full story: https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/news/updates/save-snared-buffalo
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Established in 1977, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) operates the world’s most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program, rescuing and hand-rearing orphaned elephants and other animals that have lost their mothers, all too often as a result of human activity. But we do much more than this. Through our Aerial, Anti-Poaching and Mobile Veterinary Units, we safeguard the natural environment and provide immediate assistance to wild animals in need. We also secure irreplaceable wilderness areas so that animals will always have space to roam and work with local partners and communities to ensure people and wildlife can live alongside one another.
More Information about the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust can be found on the website ▶ https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/
Adopt an Orphan in need ▶ https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans
Facebook ▶ https://www.facebook.com/sheldricktrust
Instagram ▶ https://www.instagram.com/sheldricktrust
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Odyssey to Treat a Tusker of Tsavo | Sheldrick Trust
This speared tusker took us on a true Tsavo odyssey, spanning over a month and a hundred kilometres, before we were able to find and treat him.
Read the full story: https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/news/updates/odyssey-tsavo-tusker
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Established in 1977, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) operates the world’s most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program, rescuing and hand-rearing orphaned elephants and other animals that have lost their mothers, all too often as a result of human activity. But we do much more than this. Through our Aerial, Anti-Poaching and Mobile Veterinary Units, we safeguard the natural environment and provide immediate assistance to wild animals in need. We also secure irreplaceable wilderness areas so that animals will always have space to roam and work with local partners and communities to ensure people and wildlife can live alongside one another.
More Information about the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust can be found on the website ▶ https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/
Adopt an Orphan in need ▶ https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans
Facebook ▶ https://www.facebook.com/sheldricktrust
Instagram ▶ https://www.instagram.com/sheldricktrust
X ▶ https://x.com/sheldricktrust
TikTok ▶ https://www.tiktok.com/@sheldricktrust
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Detection Saves Lives
When treating nature’s giants, we use all the tools at our disposal.
Read the full story: https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/news/updates/detection-saves-lives
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Established in 1977, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) operates the world’s most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program, rescuing and hand-rearing orphaned elephants and other animals that have lost their mothers, all too often as a result of human activity. But we do much more than this. Through our Aerial, Anti-Poaching and Mobile Veterinary Units, we safeguard the natural environment and provide immediate assistance to wild animals in need. We also secure irreplaceable wilderness areas so that animals will always have space to roam and work with local partners and communities to ensure people and wildlife can live alongside one another.
More Information about the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust can be found on the website ▶ https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/
Adopt an Orphan in need ▶ https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans
Facebook ▶ https://www.facebook.com/sheldricktrust
Instagram ▶ https://www.instagram.com/sheldricktrust
X ▶ https://x.com/sheldricktrust
TikTok ▶ https://www.tiktok.com/@sheldricktrust
Threads ▶ https://www.threads.net/@sheldricktrust -
Rescue of Orphaned Elephant Itinyi | Sheldrick Trust
Itinyi is the last of the ‘Voi Kids’ to be rescued in the 2022 drought. He was orphaned after his mother was killed before his eyes — a heartbreaking note upon which to end a time of great hardship.
Itinyi's mother was an iconic female known and loved by many. As the drought bit, she had taken up residence on community land. In an incredibly sad and terrible incident, she was shot and killed on 2nd November 2022. Her death remains a hard one to reconcile.
Read the full story and consider supporting Itinyi's journey with us through an adoption: https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/itinyi
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Established in 1977, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) operates the world’s most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program, rescuing and hand-rearing orphaned elephants and other animals that have lost their mothers, all too often as a result of human activity. But we do much more than this. Through our Aerial, Anti-Poaching and Mobile Veterinary Units, we safeguard the natural environment and provide immediate assistance to wild animals in need. We also secure irreplaceable wilderness areas so that animals will always have space to roam and work with local partners and communities to ensure people and wildlife can live alongside one another.
More Information about the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust can be found on the website ▶ https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/
Adopt an Orphan in need ▶ https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans
Facebook ▶ https://www.facebook.com/sheldricktrust
Instagram ▶ https://www.instagram.com/sheldricktrust
X ▶ https://x.com/sheldricktrust
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Umani Springs Elephant Reinteration Unit | Sheldrick Trust
In 2014, we leapt into the unknown. Two very unique orphans had come into our care — elephants who had been permanently damaged by the cruel hand of fate. They presented us with a unique challenge: How do we give these orphans the fully wild future they deserve, while also providing them with a protected, supportive environment to call home?
Read about the first 10 years of our Umani Springs Elephant Reintegration Unit, which has recently witnessed the births of Lenny and Sulwe, the second and third calves born to orphan elephants raised in this special herd: https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/news/updates/ten-years-umani-springs
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Established in 1977, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) operates the world’s most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program, rescuing and hand-rearing orphaned elephants and other animals that have lost their mothers, all too often as a result of human activity. But we do much more than this. Through our Aerial, Anti-Poaching and Mobile Veterinary Units, we safeguard the natural environment and provide immediate assistance to wild animals in need. We also secure irreplaceable wilderness areas so that animals will always have space to roam and work with local partners and communities to ensure people and wildlife can live alongside one another.
More Information about the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust can be found on the website ▶ https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/
Adopt an Orphan in need ▶ https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans
Facebook ▶ https://www.facebook.com/sheldricktrust
Instagram ▶ https://www.instagram.com/sheldricktrust
X ▶ https://x.com/sheldricktrust
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Rescuing a Trapped Lioness | Sheldrick Trust
Read the full story behind this operation: https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/news/updates/rescuing-a-trapped-lioness
Established in 1977, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) operates the world’s most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program, rescuing and hand-rearing orphaned elephants and other animals that have lost their mothers, all too often as a result of human activity. But we do much more than this. Through our Aerial, Anti-Poaching and Mobile Veterinary Units, we safeguard the natural environment and provide immediate assistance to wild animals in need. We also secure irreplaceable wilderness areas so that animals will always have space to roam and work with local partners and communities to ensure people and wildlife can live alongside one another.
More Information about the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust can be found on the website ▶ https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/
Adopt an Orphan in need ▶ https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans
Facebook ▶ https://www.facebook.com/sheldricktrust
Instagram ▶ https://www.instagram.com/sheldricktrust
X ▶ https://x.com/sheldricktrust
TikTok ▶ https://www.tiktok.com/@sheldricktrust
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Persistence Pays Off: Treating An Elephant Injured In Human-Wildlife Conflict
What do you do when an injured elephant evades treatment? You try again… and again… and again, if necessary!
A week prior, we received reports of an elephant who needed help near Lake Jipe. We mobilised to the scene, only for the bull to swim into the lake — his foot was badly wounded, and the water clearly soothed the injury. While we commend his ingenuity, it is too risky to treat an elephant in water, so we had to give up the mission for the day.
In the days following, we conducted extensive aerial patrols to locate him again, but he remained elusive. Our pilots didn’t give up, and a week later, they had a breakthrough: The bull was spotted, again walking in the waters of Lake Jipe.
With some expert manoeuvring, the SWT helicopter managed to shepherd the bull towards solid ground. Dr Kariuki, the KWS vet who leads the SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit, darted the patient from the air. As the elephant started to succumb to the anaesthetic, the team landed and commenced treatment.
Upon closer examination, they discovered that the bull had a deep, penetrating wound near his front ankle. He was originally spotted near a town, which indicates that he had been arrowed or speared in human-wildlife conflict. The wound had become badly infected and was at risk of compromising the ankle.
The team cleaned out the wound, packed the site with antibiotics boluses, and sealed it up with antibiotic spray. Given the severity of the injury he may need retreatment — we will monitor him closely in the coming weeks — but Dr Kariuki is optimistic about his prognosis.
Our Veterinary Initiatives: https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/projects/veterinary-unit
Established in 1977, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) operates the world’s most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program, rescuing and hand-rearing orphaned elephants and other animals that have lost their mothers, all too often as a result of human activity. But we do much more than this. Through our Aerial, Anti-Poaching and Mobile Veterinary Units, we safeguard the natural environment and provide immediate assistance to wild animals in need. We also secure irreplaceable wilderness areas so that animals will always have space to roam and work with local partners and communities to ensure people and wildlife can live alongside one another.
More Information about the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust can be found on the website ▶ https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/
Adopt an Orphan in need ▶ https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans
Facebook ▶ https://www.facebook.com/sheldricktrust
Instagram ▶ https://www.instagram.com/sheldricktrust
X ▶ https://x.com/sheldricktrust
TikTok ▶ https://www.tiktok.com/@sheldricktrust
Threads ▶ https://www.threads.net/@sheldricktrust -
Elephant Orphans Choka, Mukutan, Loldaiga Graduate to Ithumba | Sheldrick Trust
On 11th January 2025, our Nursery big boys — Mukutan, Choka, and Loldaiga — graduated to our Ithumba Reintegration Unit, where they will continue their journey back to the wild.
Read the full story at: https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/news/updates/mukutan-choka-loldaiga-graduate
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Established in 1977, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) operates the world’s most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program, rescuing and hand-rearing orphaned elephants and other animals that have lost their mothers, all too often as a result of human activity. But we do much more than this. Through our Aerial, Anti-Poaching and Mobile Veterinary Units, we safeguard the natural environment and provide immediate assistance to wild animals in need. We also secure irreplaceable wilderness areas so that animals will always have space to roam and work with local partners and communities to ensure people and wildlife can live alongside one another.
More Information about the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust can be found on the website ▶ https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/
Adopt an Orphan in need ▶ https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans
Facebook ▶ https://www.facebook.com/sheldricktrust
Instagram ▶ https://www.instagram.com/sheldricktrust
X ▶ https://x.com/sheldricktrust
TikTok ▶ https://www.tiktok.com/@sheldricktrust
Threads ▶ https://www.threads.net/@sheldricktrust -
Saving A Bull Elephant From Life-Threatening Arrow Wound | Sheldrick Trust
It began, as it often does, with a routine aerial patrol. Flying along the Tiva River, our pilot spotted a bull with a fresh arrow wound in his side — almost certainly the work of poachers.
He reported his sighting, and the SWT helicopter flew Dr Limo and the SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit to the northern reaches of Tsavo East, where the bull was located. From there, treatment was straightforward: The bull was darted from the air and fell on the ‘correct’ side, with the wound facing up.
It immediately became clear, however, that the bull’s chances would have been slim without intervention. The wound was deep and dangerously infected. The team removed the entire arrowhead, which was still lodged inside, and excavated litres of pus and necrotic flesh. They then created a drainage hole, packed the injury site with medication, and woke the patient up. He walked away with a positive prognosis — a complete turnaround in prospects from how he started the day.
Epilogue: The same pilot who initially spotted the bull recently saw him again — and he has made a complete recovery!
Learn more about our Aerial and Veterinary Operations: https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/projects
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Established in 1977, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) operates the world’s most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program, rescuing and hand-rearing orphaned elephants and other animals that have lost their mothers, all too often as a result of human activity. But we do much more than this. Through our Aerial, Anti-Poaching and Mobile Veterinary Units, we safeguard the natural environment and provide immediate assistance to wild animals in need. We also secure irreplaceable wilderness areas so that animals will always have space to roam and work with local partners and communities to ensure people and wildlife can live alongside one another.
More Information about the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust can be found on the website ▶ https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/
Adopt an Orphan in need ▶ https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans
Facebook ▶ https://www.facebook.com/sheldricktrust
Instagram ▶ https://www.instagram.com/sheldricktrust
X ▶ https://x.com/sheldricktrust
TikTok ▶ https://www.tiktok.com/@sheldricktrust
Threads ▶ https://www.threads.net/@sheldricktrust -
Christmas Eve with Rescued Orphan Elephants in Nairobi | Sheldrick Trust
With bedtime fast approaching for the orphaned elephants in our care, we gathered the herd for a special meet-and-greet, led by Head Keeper Edwin.
Every elephant seen here is an orphan. Thanks to your goodwill and generosity, they’ve been given the second chance they deserve. We will nurture and support them until they are ready to reclaim their place in the wild — a journey that can take upwards of a decade — but they will always have a home and family with us. Asante sana (thank you very much) and happy holidays from all of us at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust!
🐘 If you would like to learn more about any of the orphans featured and how you can support them, visit: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans
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Established in 1977, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) operates the world’s most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program, rescuing and hand-rearing orphaned elephants and other animals that have lost their mothers, all too often as a result of human activity. But we do much more than this. Through our Aerial, Anti-Poaching and Mobile Veterinary Units, we safeguard the natural environment and provide immediate assistance to wild animals in need. We also secure irreplaceable wilderness areas so that animals will always have space to roam and work with local partners and communities to ensure people and wildlife can live alongside one another.
More Information about the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust can be found on the website ▶ https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/
Adopt an Orphan in need ▶ https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans
Facebook ▶ https://www.facebook.com/sheldricktrust
Instagram ▶ https://www.instagram.com/sheldricktrust
X ▶ https://x.com/sheldricktrust
TikTok ▶ https://www.tiktok.com/@sheldricktrust
Threads ▶ https://www.threads.net/@sheldricktrust