Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Early this week, ex-orphan Melia returned to introduce a brand new baby girl to Head Keeper Benjamin and the rest of the Ithumba team. Moon, as we've named her, is Melia's second baby. She is a lovely little elephant, bold and brimming with character. www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/calves

Aura and Mwangaza have the best of both worlds. The offspring of ex-orphans Arruba and Mweya, they're growing up cocooned with nannies and aunties, roaming wild but with the added protection of their mother's human family too. Today, we honour Dame Daphne's birthday.

A lot can change in a month. When Toto arrived at our Ithumba Reintegration Unit on 20 April, he was overwhelmed. Two trusted Keepers, Sammy and Lekoli, stayed on to help him settle. By the end of the month, he was the one leading the group home. Hands up if you remember Toto's rescue?

Hungry tummies wait for no one — come rain or shine, the routine is the same at our Nairobi Nursery. Mzinga, Taroha, Arthi, Nyambeni and Pardamat are sure-footed today despite the mud, eyes firmly on the prize: two bottles of milk, fresh greens, and a warm stable to sleep in.

Tourists reported Wangalla alone — a tiny baby in a big wilderness, crying for her mum, seeking shelter among a herd of zebra. Today she has Misheck. When dusk falls, he prepares her freshly-cut branches while she paddles around. www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/wangalla

When an orphaned elephant loses their mother, we step in to offer hope and a family. Kaikai, rescued as a newborn, wanted constant physical touch and to know she was at the centre of her Keepers' universe – which she was! The care they receive helps ensure they can return to the wild.

Family reunion, elephant style. Three ex-orphans came home to our Voi stockades in January, each with a wild-born calf alongside her. Edie. Mweya. Arruba. All rescued from Tsavo years ago, all now mothers in the wild. But like kids who've flown the nest, they still pop round to raid the fridge.

In the wild, grooming is an important bonding ritual among zebras. Little Notty lost her natal family – but the instinct remains. Here, she directs it towards her best friend: Tytan, an orphaned black rhino. Discover their unlikely friendship: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/tytan

Let's play Keeper. Our caregivers can recognise the orphaned elephants by ear notches, tusk shape and all. Now it's your turn. This orphan's trunk is shorter than you'd expect. She lost the tip to a poacher's snare and then was found alone, stuck in the mud. Drop your guess below.

Hands up anyone who's a grandparent? So are we. To 92 elephant calves. We've pioneered the rescue and reintegration of orphaned elephants – so successfully, they've been fully accepted by wild herds. Since the door home is always left open, we get to witness playtimes like this all the time.

For all the milk and medicine, sometimes their new family makes the difference. When Wangalla resisted greens, Misheck turned it into a ritual. He'd pull his chair outside her stable with a bushel of fresh greens, hand-feeding each to Wangalla. www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/wangalla

Last week, this chap came calling for Zongoloni. He was one of four enormous bulls that came courting. Mercurial as ever, she acted all aloof. Do you think she'll come around? We'll be reporting back in our Keepers' Diaries: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/keepers-diar...

A favourite memory with Toto: when his adopted little sister Korbessa would jailbreak him out of his stable in the evening. Korbessa is as precocious as Toto is precious – he'd never break the rules, but she's always been happy to flout them. sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/news/fieldnotes/april-2026

Wangalla is the most enchanting little elephant – bright, curious, and brimming with character. Rescued as a newborn, she was found amongst a herd of zebras and has now been adopted by our resident flock of birds. sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/wangalla

It's breakfast time and everyone is welcome (even the monkeys). Some scoop, others shovel. The end result is the same: full tummies, ready to face the day. Follow us for more #BehindTheScenes of life with the orphan elephants in our care.

Last week, this chap came calling for Zongoloni. He was one of four enormous bulls that came courting. Mercurial as ever, she acted all aloof. Do you think she'll come around? We'll be reporting back in our Keepers' Diaries: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/keepers-diar...

Ndotto was the tiniest elephant we had ever seen. In August 2014, herdsmen discovered a newborn calf sheltering amongst their goats and sheep. The resourceful little orphan inserted himself into the nearest group of similarly sized creatures. Twelve years on, Ndotto is now leading a wild life.

She arrived at just one week old – traumatised, crying, pacing her stable through the night. Today, Kaikai turns one. And she's been running Kaluku ever since she arrived. Extremely intelligent, and utterly convinced she's the centre of the universe. www.swt.bio/kaikai

Last week, this chap came calling for Zongoloni. He was one of four enormous bulls that came courting. Mercurial as ever, she acted all aloof. Do you think she'll come around? We'll be reporting back in our Keepers' Diaries: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/keepers-diar...

Ex-orphan Ziwa, who has been living wild for many years now, popped by to visit our Umani herd. The 14-year-old bull has real gravitas, but Lenny and Sulwe were unfazed. The little babies toddled over to join him in the mud and tried their very best to impress, before beating a hasty exit.

Talek doesn't mind a smattering of rain — but thunderstorms and downpours? That's another matter entirely. Last month she was pacing her stable and pushing the partitions between her stockade and her neighbours. Look at her now though. www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/talek

A jumbo-sized treat for you. We've had some visitors to Umani Springs recently: four impressive bulls linking up with the ex-orphans. They're here for one reason only – love is in the air. But who are they courting? Take a guess and we'll let you know later this week.

Raising orphaned elephants takes a community – Keepers on the ground, and people like you thousands of miles away, united by the belief that every wild animal matters. Adopters ensure we have what it takes to remain by their sides at every stage. sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans

We could not believe our eyes when we saw Alia in the middle of the mud bath last month. She arrived in October 2025, withdrawn and slow to approach the herd. Mud baths happened around her, not with her. And then, the Keepers found her trunk-deep in one, getting comprehensively coated.

There's a dynasty unfolding in Kenya. The matriarch? Edie, an orphan we rescued in 1999 after she fell into a well and was abandoned by her family at first light when herdsmen arrived. Today, she is 27 years old and a mother of five – her newborn Enid joining Eden, Ella, Eco and Enzo.

What started as an all-too-common snare removal ended with a stunning show of love in the wild. After our Vet Unit treated a snared zebra in March 2025, her family – a full kilometre away – took off. They started galloping towards her, and didn't stop until they reached her side.

She collapsed the day she was found. Four weeks old, riddled with parasites and fading fast. But today, Kipekee turns one. Her name means 'unique' in Swahili. Now she's the Nursery darling, surrounded by adoring nannies jockeying for her attention. Happy first birthday, Kipekee.

A breakfast of champions. Juni was rescued in 2022 from the reeds at Lake Jipe – a drought orphan with an advanced urinary tract infection. Six weeks of recovery later, she walked out among our Voi herd as if she'd always been one of the family. www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/juni

Lenny, son of ex-orphan Lima Lima, lives wild in the Kibwezi Forest with his mum. Seventeen months old, small but "forceful." His name means "brave as a lion" – fitting for the son of Lima Lima, the eyes and ears of the Umani herd. www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/news/updates...

Lasayen's story begins at a watering point. In 2014, a one-month-old was found in a community-dug well in Samburu, left behind by his herd. Now eleven, he heard the call of the wild last year – but turned up in January 2026, and again In February. www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/lasayen

One week with Bumpy! Like any baby, he sleeps deeply and often – especially snuggled up to his Keeper, with a tummy full of milk. Rescued last weekend after his mother died in a territorial fight, he now has a family with us and a wild future ahead. www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/bumpy

We were honoured to be featured in Sir David's 2021 series, A Perfect Planet. His outlook remains one of hope: "In my lifetime, I've witnessed a terrible decline. In yours, you could and should witness a wonderful recovery."

Meet Little Serenget – and her singular drinking style. Seven months ago, she arrived with a bullet wound. Today, her Keepers have mastered a new milk-feeding technique on her behalf. If she's happy, we're happy. www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/serenget

Throwback to Tytan's first 24 hours. After his mother fell off a cliff, the seven-month-old made it to her body, then disappeared. Rangers, aircraft and drones searched. He was wild-eyed and wary – until scratches won him over and he leaned in. Hands up – which rescue stories have stayed with you?

Aura was just a newborn when we filmed this. She is the offspring of an orphan we rescued and raised. Aura and her mum, Arruba, live wild but regularly visit us; a privilege we never take for granted. More miracles that make all our work worth it: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/calves

Maktao spent his first night out with the wild-living nightclubbers in early March. Ex-orphan Mwashoti walked him and Kapei back at dawn. Reintegration here is pole pole – slowly slowly – led by the orphans themselves. Maktao has decided he's ready to hear the call of the wild. Watch this space!

Ex-orphans Lima Lima, Sonje and Zongoloni have a long-established habit of disappearing into the Kibwezi Forest for days – sometimes weeks – at a stretch. But they always come back to Murera and the dependent herd, and when they do, everyone loves catching up. Welcome home.

Kindani has something to say on her way to the mud bath. Elephants communicate constantly – rumbles, trumpets, low-frequency calls felt through the ground as much as heard. After decades of research, scientists are beginning to understand their language. Now, so can you.

When Kerrio, Latika and Kamili graduated to Umani Springs in December 2025, Muridjo walked a deliberate round of the compound – stopping at each stable and stockade in turn. Then we watched as she quietly established herself as the new leader of the herd. It's been a journey to get here...

Maxwell is 24, completely blind, and the sole permanent resident of the Nairobi Nursery. He runs a strict routine: pellets, mud bath, tour of his boma, nap in the sun. Today there were apples and bananas. He has earned every one of them. www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/maxw...

At our Nursery in Kenya, love looks like a Keeper dragging a mattress onto the lawn so a sleepy orphaned infant elephant can enjoy a rest. With over 300 orphans successfully raised to date, discover how we raise orphans so they can return to the wild: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/projects/orp...

Lenny is 17 months old, fast, sociable, and entirely at home in the water. Born to ex-orphan Lima Lima – the Umani herd's scout, a suspected poaching orphan who raised herself and is now raising him with considerable hands-off verve. The 67th wild-born calf to an orphan we rescued. Leaving his mark.

Tytan enjoyed a mud bath fit for royalty. Notty rounded up the cavalry to ward off warthogs. All in an afternoon's work. Wondering about Keeper Simon's coat? Foals imprint on stripes – so anyone on Notty duty wears the designated zebra coat. Adopt Tytan: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/tytan

Kilulu wanted Akina's milk. A direct approach failed. He lingered, then bit her tail. Akina finished her bottle, walked to the mud wallow, and got on with her day. Akina: 1, Kilulu: 0. Discover her story: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/akina

Finding one injured buffalo in a herd is like a needle in a haystack. Our pilot, already on patrol, circled above and located him – a wire snare cutting deep into his neck. Anti-Poaching Team on the ground. All systems go. Full story: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/news/updates...

Leading today is Mageno – dependable, kind to all, everyone's favourite big brother. Somewhere in that line: Toto, Natibu and Mwinzi. Days into life at Ithumba. Already walking like they'd always been there. Meet the Ithumba herd: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans

Baby Aura's mother Arruba was raised by our Keepers after being separated from her family. Beside her is Kenia, abandoned at eight months, now one of Aura's nannies. And Mwitu, whose mother is Mweya. Three elephants. Three stories. One herd. www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/donate

Every morning, our Keepers walk out with the herd. Manda explored for ten months. When he was ready to come home, he knew exactly where to find his way back. The path was already there. For Toto, Natibu and Mwinzi, that familiarity is just beginning. www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/news/updates...

Puddles have grown into swimming pools at Umani and the mudbath is deep enough for a dip. Not everyone is a fan of the recent wet weather: Amali flat out refused to come out of her overnight stable one morning until it had brightened up! sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/keepers-diaries

A short trunk has never slowed Ashanti down. In March, she lay on her side in a wallow – in her element. Later in the month, she climbed to the summit of Msinga Hill, then embraced pal Baraka, trunk entwined, at the water trough. Discover her story: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/asha...

Kinyei was spotted by tourists in the Mara in 2018, precariously alone near a pride of lions. She found a family as one third of our Kaluku trio – the founding orphans of our Kaluku Neonate Unit – and is now growing up at Ithumba. Her story: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/kinyei

Day three at Ithumba. Mwinzi, Toto and Natibu ended their evening with a rainy stroll home – and led the charge themselves. Mwinzi: implacable as ever. Natibu: already sizing up the herd. Toto: leaning on his Keepers as he takes it all in. Settling in beautifully.

Taroha finishes his second milk bottle – and walks away with it clasped in his trunk. When a Keeper tries to retrieve it, he runs. He arrived at the Nursery via a JCB bucket, an overnight stop at Voi, and a flight. Quite the journey for a calf: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/taroha

Faraja is leucistic – a partial lack of pigmentation that lightens his skin and hair. Born in 2012, raised by us after his mother was speared. Today he lives wild in the Kibwezi Forest – often alongside his likely half-brother Jasiri. www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/faraja

Alamaya arrived in 2015 – tail bitten off, ravaged by hyenas, barely alive. He is 12 years old now. A wild elephant finding his place in the Kibwezi Forest, on his own terms. The Maa word for brave is Alamaya. Discover Alamaya’s story: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/alam...

Ten years ago, Umani Springs didn't exist. Now its first orphans are having babies of their own. Lenny, Sulwe and Zigi are the latest arrivals. King of the forest and all. Meet our extended elephant family: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/calves

The best part about being an elephant Keeper? Watching an orphan you raised rejoin the wild – and go on to start a family of their own. Join the family and help us create new dynasties in the wild: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans

Amali's distinctive tusks curve outwards – determined by the relatives who roamed before her. She lost her herd in the 2022 drought and the tip of her trunk to a snare. But she carries a piece of her family wherever she goes. Discover her story: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/amali

Quanza's mother and two sisters were gunned down by poachers in 2012. She came to us deeply traumatised. For years, she kept herself to herself. Now she is one of our finest leaders. Healing cannot be rushed. Her story: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/quanza

Olomunyak steals his friends' food. By day, he helps himself to Alia's browse. By night, he scoops pellets from Arthi's stockade – never mind his own pile. He's so sunny nobody minds. It just adds to his charm. Discover his story: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/olom...

Happy birthday, Losoito. To celebrate, she's having a party in the mud bath – and judging by the splashing, everyone is invited. When our pilot first spotted her in Tsavo West, she was two years old and keeping company with a large wild bull. sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/losoito

Imp wouldn't exist without people who donated month after month for her mother Ishanga – not yet knowing how her story would end. Those donations funded milk bottles, Keeper care, and protecting her wild family today. For the next orphan found alone in Tsavo: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/donate

The humble tyre: a perennial favourite. Korbessa waddles, wiggles, flips and kicks hers for hours. When she was younger, she'd play until she fell asleep against it. At two, she's also the one the Kaluku herd follows. sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/korbessa

The youngest member of the Kaluku herd, Kaikai approaches every day with the energy of a tiny force of nature – her Keepers describe her as quick-witted, curious, and utterly convinced she is the centre of the universe. Rescued days old from the Mara. sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/kaikai

It's not just trunks that double up as pacifiers - as demonstrated by Jackson! A few soothing words and a chin massage ensure Mwinzi feels suitably adored by his surrogate ‘mothers’ in this throwback video. See how much little Mwinzi has grown: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/mwinzi

After a month in the wild, Mbegu stopped by Voi and headed straight for her favourite scratching spot. An orphan of human–wildlife conflict, she now roams wild – returning on her own terms. sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/mbegu

Most orphans take their milk bottle directly. Serenget prefers hers poured drop by drop into her trunk. She's in good company – Namalok preferred to drink from a bucket, and he's since rejoined the wild. No two orphans are the same. sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/serenget

An elephant-sized pacifier for one of our tiniest babies. Much like human infants, baby elephants derive comfort from suckling – the orphans love to mouth their Keepers' fingers. When hands are full, a bottle teat steps in. www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/news/fieldno...

We have been eagerly waiting to introduce you to Lamuu. After a harrowing search-and-rescue, followed by many months of recovery from a terrible injury, this special little elephant is finally ready for her big debut. Become one of her first adopters at: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/lamuu

"Little Serenget has got her leafy kingdom, and she's ruling it one munch at a time." – Keeper Walter It was a routine water delivery that saved Serenget's life. Seven months recovering at Voi. Now out, settled, and Rokka rarely leaves her side. sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/serenget