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

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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

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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

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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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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

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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

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

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

Little Baraka survived a poacher’s snare around her head, only to fall victim to the 2022 drought. Her name means ‘blessing’ in Swahili — a fitting tribute to how fortunate she was to escape two life-threatening hurdles.

Baraka’s story with us began at the height of the 2022 drought, which had a devastating effect on Tsavo’s elephant population. On 11th October 2022, Mwatate Sisal Estate reported an orphaned elephant calf on their land. She was young — about 18 months old — and desperately weak. There was no trace of her family or any other wild elephants in the area. The calf had clearly been alone and without food for some time: she was emaciated, dehydrated, and looked resigned to her fate.

Read the full story of her rescue and early days with us: https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/baraka

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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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Christmas 2025 arrived early in the Kibwezi Forest: We just received the most beautiful gift, in the form of Lima Lima’s brand new baby boy! He is Lima Lima’s first child and our second Umani grandbaby.

Full story at: https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/news/updates/lima-lima-lenny

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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