 |
|
Rescue of Barsilinga (April 2012)
On the 15th of April the DSWT Rescued a 2 week old orphan from Northern Kenya, Wamba area. This calf tragically lost his mother to the on going Ivory Trade and was very lucky to be rescued by KWS and have a second chance at life.
|
 |
|
Olare's Story (March 2012)
This is the story of an orphan's journey under the Trust's care. Her circumstances of being orphaned were particularly dramatic, with her mother dying of a human-inflicted injury to the leg, and the calf not leaving her mother's side, had to be rescued as she was too young to survive in the wild on her own. This orphan, called Olare, is now being re-introduced back into the wild in our Ithumba Unit and she is thriving.
|
 |
|
The Rescue of Kanjoro (March 2012)
A lone baby elephant, aged about 20 months, was spotted alone on Ol Malo Ranch on about March 17th by the Ranch's Samburu Scouts who reported its presence to the Ranch owners, the Francombes. A Scout named Loponu was then allotted the task of monitoring the calf to verify that it was, indeed, an orphan with no chance of rejoining its natural family. The Rescue team equipped with all the necessary paraphernalia and medication immediately set off by air from Wilson Airport in Nairobi for the Ol Malo Ranch airstrip, where a truck and Helping Hands were awaiting them upon arrival.
|
 |
|
The Rescue of Murera (February 2012)
On the 21st of February the DSWT got alert from a camp manager in Meru National Park of a lone young elephant calf, who appeared to have a broken leg. The Camp Guides said that they had seen this orphaned elephant over the past few days. The rescue team was dispatched and by 4 p.m. the calf was captured and loaded into the Caravan Rescue Plane at Meru Mulika Lodge airfield. It was a young female, just over 2 years of age, severely lame from possibly having trodden on poisoned elephant spikes hidden just beneath the soil of an elephant trail -- a particularly brutal and cruel means of poaching not uncommon these days. By 8 p,m. the calf was safely back in the Nairobi Nursery, but too wild to handle, despite being incapacitated both by the foot injury to the right hind leg, and what looked liked a dislocated hip joint on one back leg. |
 |
|
The Rescue and Death of Lumo (February 2012)
One month old "Lumo", rescued from the water of a dam in the Taita Hills Conservancy by the Salt Lick staff during the late evening of the 11th of Feb. Having spent the night there, the Rescue team from our Voi Elephant Stockades drove in to assess the size and condition of the calf, before calling Nairobi to organize the rescue plane. She came to the Nairobi Elephant Nursery on the 12th February, already in a weakened condition, obviously having been without her mother and milk for several days added to which she already had life threatening diarrhea. Oral anti-biotic and electrolytes instantly administered failed to halt the diarrhea, and although the calf fed well initially, downing 33 pints of formula milk in a 24 hour period, the diarrhea persisted until she stopped feeding at midnight on the l7th February, and was dead by the morning. |
 |
|
The Rescue of Sonje (February 2012)
In the Galana Wildlife Conservancy, abutting the Eastern boundary of Tsavo East National Park, a lone calf of approximately 14 month old was sited alone on the 7th February 2012. The lone calf was again sited by the Galana Conservancy Warden on the 11th February, it now being clear that this was a milk dependent orphan with no chance of survival unless rescued. The capture took place on the 11th, the female orphan too weak and lame to put up much resistance. The right hind leg had a huge protrusion on the top joint which appeared to possibly be the result of a previous fracture. |
 |
|
Yatta's First Born Wild Calf (January 2012)
In the depths of northern Tsavo East a unique baby was born; a baby elephant strengthening the bond between the wild herds of Tsavo and the orphaned elephants of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The Ithumba Unit's second wild-birth was sealed twenty-three months ago between twelve year-old Yatta and a young wild bull of twenty-six years. 'Yetu', which in Swahili means 'ours' was born on the 19th January 2012 and is a beautifully wild and healthy addition to a growing herd of elephants bridging the gap between the human and animal worlds. She is not only a symbol of hope for the future of elephants in an increasingly hostile human-world but a sign of balance between nature and mankind. |
 |
|
The Rescue and Death of Moju (January 2012)
On the 25th of January 2012 The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust rescued an elephant orphan from Meru National Park. The orphan was in a very weak after being alone without her mother for several days and had also been attacked by hyena's who bit her tail off. |
 |
|
The Rescue and Death of Lemek (January 2012)
On the 29th of January the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Team rescued a young elephant from the Masaai Mara. The orphan was named Lemek and had both physical and emotional problems which eventually led to her tragic death. |
 |
|
Layoni, Rombo and Dabassa move to Voi (December 2011)
On the 28th of December The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust moved three orphans, namely Layoni, Dabassa, and Rombo to Tsavo East National Park to re-habilitate them back into the wild from the Trust's Voi Unit. This films shows their journey.
|
 |
|
Lissa's 4th wild born baby (December 2011)
Ex Orphan Lissa, born in l986, was a poaching victim of the three decades commonly known as "The Poaching Holcaust" . This orphan who was over two years old at the time and handed directly into the custody and care of the then elephant Matriarch, "Eleanor", who "mothered" all the orphans that were given to her aged two and older, including Ex Nairobi Nursery survivors. Lissa joined the wild in the 1990's and has since given birth to four wild born calves. And so, the tragic little orphan from Mackinnon Road rescued during the infamous Poaching Holocaust, who came in as a bag of bones with a mis-shapen hind leg, at 25 years old is now a very successful wild elephant mother of four wild-born young, 2 girls and 2 boys, and as such one of the Trust's proudest success stories.
|
 |
|
The Rescue of Orwa (November 2011)
On the morning of the 30th November 2011 the Keepers flew to the area and rescued the calf who is estimated to be about one year old, obviously a victim of either poaching or "problem animal control". He had been without his mother for some time, and in an advanced state of emaciation upon arrival. From the start, Orwa was a loner, deeply saddened and depressed over the loss of his elephant mother and family, choosing to stay apart from the other orphans, and trailing behind them, the epitome of misery, dejection and severe emaciation. Since his stools were problematical, he underwent an oral course of Suphadimidine, and since then has improved, now able to get up from a sleeping position without help. We are hopeful that time and tender loving care will heal this tough little elephant from the lava wastes of the South Turkana Game Reserve both psychologically and physically.
|
 |
|
The Rescue of Kithaka (November 2011)
On the 20th of November the Trust was called by KWS who rescued a young orphan from Meru National Park. The DSWT rescue Team was dispatched and he has been named Kithaka the Meru word for forest. He is a real character, larger than life and full of attitude and of course is absolutely adored by the older orphans in the Nursery.
|
 |
|
The Rescue of Sasab (November 2011)
On the 8th of November the DSWT rescued a young orphan from West Gate Community Conservancy after he was rescued by the Sasaab Lodge staff from the flood waters of the Ewaso Niro river. |
 |
|
The Rescue of Layoni (November 2011)
On the 3rd of November the Nursery Unit Keepers rescued a two and a half year old calf whose mother is believed to have been poached. This short film tells the story of Layoni's rescue. |
 |
|
The Birth of Mulika's Calf (November 2011)
Mulika came to the Trust's care as an orphan from Meru National Park in 2001, arriving at the Nairobi Elephant Nursery when 7 months old. From there, in the fullness of time, she was reintegration back into the resident wild elephant community of Tsavo East National Park. In November 2011 she gave birth to her first born wild calf, demonstrating the success of the DSWT's wild ex-orphans. |
 |
|
The Rescue of Ishaq B (October 2011)
On the 30th of October the Nairobi Elephant Keepers embarked on a rescue from the Ishaqbini Ndera Conservancy which turned out to be one of the most challenging rescues they have ever undergone. This short film tells the story of Ishaq-B's rescue.
|
 |
|
The Rescue of Emsaya (October 2011)
On the 8th of October the Voi Elephant Keepers rescued a two year old calf whose mother is believed to have been poached. This short film tells the story of Emsaya's rescue.
|
 |
|
The Rescue of Kasigau (September 2011)
On the 23rd of September our Burra Anti-Poaching Team and Voi Elephant Keepers rescued a two and a half year old calf whose mother is believed to have been poached. This short film tells the story of Kasigau's rescue.
|
 |
|
A Happy Ending (September 2011)
Our elephant keepers at Voi are able to come to the aid of a baby elephant trapped in a waterhole, reuniting it with its mother.
|
 |
|
The Rescue of Rombo (August 2011)
On 27th August our Ziwani Anti-Poaching Team and Voi Elephant Keepers found and rescued a two year old calf whose mother is believed to have been poached. This short film tells the story of Rombo’s rescue.
|
 |
|
Water Is Life (August 2011)
In 2011 Kenya endured a drought throughout much of Northern Kenya, and Tsavo is certainly under the grip of yet another extremely dry year. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is proud to have been able to help the Kenya Wildlife Service and Tsavo’s rich biodiversity by providing artificial water sources along the main Tourist Circuit in the form of boreholes and Windmills. The Trust monitors and funds the maintenance of all these vital water sources regularly to ensure that they always remain functional, for in these times Water really is Life.
|
 |
|
The Rescue of Dabassa (August 2011)
On 8th August our teams were called to the rescue of a 21 month old male calf, in the Tsavo Conservation Area. This is the story of Dabassa’s rescue on that day. |
 |
|
Move of Ololoo, Kalama and Chemi Chemi to Ithumba (August 2011)
In August 2011, orphan elephants Ololoo, Kalama and Chemi Chemi graduated from the Nairobi Nursery to the reintegration centre run by the DSWT in Ithumba, Tsavo East National Park. This film tells the story of their move and all that goes into moving three elephants! |
 |
|
The Rescue of Mumbushi (July 2011)
On 5th July we received a call that an orphan baby elephant needed our help. A rescue team was mobilised and took to the air to get to Mumbushi, here’s his rescue story. |
 |
|
Loisaba’s last days (June 2011)
Loisaba had returned to the wild, a success story of the DSWT's orphans' project, having been rescued and hand-reared from a baby. 13 year old Loisaba was seen to be becoming ill in 2011, this film tells the story of Loisaba's last days. |
 |
|
Murka, Kitirua and Naisula move to Ithumba (May 2011)
May 2011 and Murka, Kitirua and Naisula begin the next stage of their rehabilitation, as they travel to the DSWT’s reintegration centre in Ithumba. One of two centres in the Tsavo East National Park, where orphaned elephants can mix with wild elephants and progress their journey back to the wild. |
 |
|
Kainuk's Progress
A progress video from March 2011 showing Kainuk's first days in the elephant nursery. She was found by tribemen next to her mother who is suspected to have died of the harsh drought conditions.
|
 |
|
Shida's Move
Shida is one of the lucky few still to be alive. He was afforded a second chance of life when he was rescued as an orphan. Now he has been given his third and last chance if he is able to settle in Tsavo and make that his permanent home. The Trust can take credit for his life, as can all the foster-parents who have helped us steer him into adulthood and the KWS Professionals who moved him so proficiently.
|
 |
|
Beautiful Story on elephants at CNN
|
 |
|
The Tsavo Orphans
Created by Channel G, a 501c3 non profit
organisation, this short format documentary
highlights the work of the DSWT in the rescue and
rehabilitation of orphan animals and the
protection of Kenya's wilderness. Channel G have
donated the film to us and will use it themselves
to generate awareness of the plight facing Kenya's
wildlife and our efforts to it. |
 |
|
Elephant
Orphans
Since 1987, we have successfully hand-reared more
than 70 orphaned elephants and 17 black rhino
orphans. Rescued baby elephants and rhinos are
first taken to our nursery in Nairobi National
Park, where we begin the difficult task of rearing
these babies, so that they might return to the
wild when grown. In this clip the head keeper at
our Nairobi Nursery talks a little about what is
involved in caring for fragile baby elephants.
|
 |
|
Anti-Poaching
We currently operate seven anti-poaching teams
tasked with protecting wildlife and tackling the
illegal bushmeat trade. This film provides insight
into the work of our anti-poaching teams,
including the removal of illegal snares and the
arrest poachers.
|
 |
|
Community
Outreach
We are becoming increasingly active within
communities bordering Kenya’s National Parks,
where incidents of human-wildlife conflict are
most common. We work closely with communities and
schools to develop an understanding of our work
and the value of wildlife and habitats – as the
future of wildlife is ultimately in the hands of
the people.
|
 |
|
Other
Assistance
Kenya’s wildlife comes under the protection of the
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). We work closely with
this organisation to help them protect all
wildlife and assist them in carrying out their
role. This film shows a little of what it is we
are able to do to help the KWS. |
 |
|
Elephant Diaries
BBC Worldwide has produced a series of 26 short films, taken from its
television series 'Elephant Diaries'. The films provide a taster for
the full series and a unique insight into our orphans' project. The
short films are all available to watch on YouTube and we have provided
here the link to the first film.
|
