As the worlds most famous and respected Elephant orphanage, The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is no.1 on the list of places to visit in Kenya.
It is a magical, informative, heartbreaking and at times hair raising experience. A chance to meet orphaned Elephants, hear their stories and learn about the amazing work that the Trust does.
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is more than just a tourist destination. It is the worlds most successful and recognised example of elephant rehabilitation and conservation.
The decline of elephants in Africa
In the past elephants marched all over Kenya.Great herds have lived here since the dawn of mankind. But the heyday of the elephant is long since past. Unlike the tribal residents of Kenya, colonists who arrived here in the 1800s saw elephant hunting as a sport and their tusks as a trophy. In the days of the Great White Hunter, big game hunters were said to have killed up to 1000 elephants each. Thanks to the efforts of the colonists and the poachers that followed them, African elephants now number as few as 400,000 with the numbers continuing to decline. Just a century there were around 5 million. The sheer volume of numbers makes my skin crawl.
Poaching and the Ivory Trade
Since then, and despite elephant hunting being banned in the 1970s, elephant tusks and rhino horns are still seen as trophies. The ivory trade is a roaring business and whilst it is banned in some countries, others continue to embrace this barbaric trade. The market value of ivory has increased as the commodity has become harder to get hold of. Poaching has risen in Kenya and elephants continue to sit high on the endangered animal list. Poaching is a business that makes millions and that demands the lives of 100’s elephants and rhinos every year.
David and Daphne Sheldrick
David and Daphne Sheldrick dedicated their lives to working with elephants and other Kenyan wildlife. Pioneers in their field David was a Warden at the newly formed Tsavo National Park. During his time there he dedicated his life to the protection of elephants and established infrastructure in Tsavo enabling it to become the protected area for elephants that it is today.
In 1977, after her husband’s death, Daphne started the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in his name.
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
The Trust works to rescue orphaned and injured elephants and rehabilitate them until they can be released back into the wild. In addition, it runs anti-poaching teams, mobile veterinary clinics and works to conserve areas of Kenya, which are being damaged by human encroachment.
Saving Orphaned Elephants in Kenya
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust works closely with the Kenyan Wildlife Service and conservation teams in reserves and conservancies throughout the country. In this way, they can immediately respond to any elephant in need. Young elephants are often injured, sick or in shock and need to be attended to immediately. Once an elephant in need is found, the DSWT will organise for the elephant to be airlifted to the Trusts orphanage in Nairobi.
Caring for baby elephants
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is required to consider the physical and psychological well-being of the elephants. Whilst physical care is usually the most urgent it is the psychological aspects of rescuing elephants that need the most consideration. Elephants who have lost their parents are heartbroken and will sometimes simply choose not to live. In response to this, each elephant is assigned their own keeper, who in a sense replaces the lost elephant family. The Keeper cares for the elephant 24 hours a day; they feed and exercise the animals, but their role goes above and beyond normal duties. The Keepers sleep with the elephants at night, apply sunscreen in the heat and cover with blankets when cold. The keepers care for the elephants as they would a child. Much like human children touch and love is important to them and tactile play and affection is an essential part of the role.
The orphaned elephants will end up staying at the Trust until they reach maturity, some 10 -15 years. As they grow old they are taken into the park in preparation for their release. They learn how to find food and to be wary of predators.
Visiting the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
The sanctuary is open to the public every day of the week between 11 and 12. For a nominal $5 /500 KSH fee you get an hour to spend with the elephants, seeing them feed, fart and caper about like the toddlers they are. The visit takes the form of a presentation by the staff and a chance to meet the various elephant groups, from the tiny babies to the towering teenagers.
Foster an elephant
For a more interactive experience then foster an elephant. This can be done at the visit to the Trust or online in advance. Phone up to book an appointment which can be made any day at 5 pm. Book as far in advance as possible, the groups are kept small and fill up fast.
The foster visit takes place at bedtime, just as the elephants are returning home from Nairobi National Park. It’s a spectacle unlike any other, to witness elephants of all shapes and sizes stampeding towards you as they dash home for supper. During your visit, you will spend one on one time with any of the elephants as they are ‘put to bed’. The teeniest elephants drink their milk out of giant baby bottles, whilst the older throw food around and trumpet their joy. After a chance to speak to the keepers they elephants are put to bed under blankets. By the time you leave many of the babies will be fast asleep.
Giraffes and Rhinos at the Elephant Orphanage
At this time the David Shedrick Wildlife Trust is also caring for Kiko the Giraffe and Maxwell the Rhino… Maxwell was born blind and despite several eye operations will remain that way for his entire life. As the endangered black Rhinos are territorial without his sight he is unable to be returned to the wild. The DSWT will care for Maxwell for his entire life – a span of some 35 to 50 years.
Contributing to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust website, where you will find out information on all the orphans, as well as the huge scope of other work that they do.
If you can’t visit the orphanage, you can still foster an elephant. You will receive a personalized certificate, an interactive map, monthly update on the progress of their orphan and a water colour by CEO Angela Sheldrick. Everything you need to know about the individual elephants and what you get as part of a foster package is detailed here.
How to get to the the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Location: Magadi Road, Langata
Opening hours: 11 am or 5 pm (foster parents only)
Cost: 500 KSH / 5000 to foster an elephant for a year.
Where to stay near the Elephant Orphanage
There are several good hotels in Karen and Langata. Karen is a great place to base yourself for a trip to Nairobi. You have easy access to the National Park, the Giraffe Centre is here as well as a ton of good restaurants and bars.
Karen is an upper class neighbourhood with leafy green streets far away from the manic hustle of the city. It has some great restaurants, try Talisman or Boho Eatery and is the perfect place to relax on your stay in Nairobi. Hotels tend to be exclusive guest houses and boutique hotels rather than the large international sort.
Recommendations:
$$ Karen Gables
$$$ Hemmingways
For a complete list of recommended hotels in Nairobi click here.
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