Focus Wildlife and Nature by Julie Mary Photography

26/11/2022

26/11/2022

Wendi's Family Portrait

Our Orphans' Project begins with the rescue of an orphan in need, such as Wendi, who we rescued 20 years ago; a suspected orphan of human-wildlife conflict. Over the next 8-12 years, our focus moves to that individual's well-being, as we hand-raise them first at our Nursery and then at one of our Reintegration Units, which in Wendi's case was Ithumba. From here, these youngsters learn from older herd-mates, and begin socialising and interacting with wild elephants. Then, at their own pace, they ultimately decide to venture out into the wild, reclaiming their independence.

If we are lucky, they might visit us from time to time over the years. We have been blessed that a great number of the female elephants we have reintegrated have returned to see us, many when they have just given birth: introducing their calves to our Keepers, so that their human family can be a part of this celebration of life. Only this past weekend, our Ithumba Keepers actually witnessed one of the ex-orphans, Melia, giving birth right outside the stockades (you can read about this extraordinary morning in earlier posts).

In Wendi's case, she has come 'home' for the birth of each of her three daughters; Weva born in 2015, Wema born in 2019, and earlier this month, the birth of Wimbi.

This beautiful photograph of Wendi's family is a reminder of the wider impact of our Orphans' project: In saving one life, we are giving life to future generations of elephants.

To learn about, and support, our Orphans' Project, visit https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/projects/orphans

28/10/2022

27/10/2022

Beautiful Wendi and new baby Wimbi. Love you lots. ###

27/10/2022

19/04/2018

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Dame Daphne Sheldrick, of David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

A statement by The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust says she died Thursday evening after a long battle with breast cancer.

Sheldrick received global attention for her work raising more than 200 orphaned baby elephants. The statement says that "more than 100 orphaned elephants are now living a wild life, with 29 known wild born babies."

The trust says Queen Elizabeth II in 2006 appointed Sheldrick Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

Daphne was the first person to successfully hand raise a milk dependent new born elephant and rhino, knowledge that has seen more than 230 orphaned elephants saved in Kenya, and countless other infant elephants in countries across Africa and into India.

Daphne lived alongside elephants and learned to read their hearts, much as they read ours - she understood their fragility, their intelligence, their capacity to love, to grieve, to heal, to support one another and she took those lessons to the global stage. In doing so, Daphne became a leading voice for elephants, never through a desire for the limelight, only ever driven by her belief that elephants, and other wild species, have a right to live a free and protected life - just like us.

Our deepest sympathies go out to Daphne's Family,, Elephants & Humans alike..

Dame Daphne was an inspiration to me personally and to so many others worldwide, for her commitment to saving our precious Elephant babies..
You will be missed by all wildlife lovers..

05/03/2016

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06/03/2013

11/02/2013

The « third large seizure of ivory in a year in Hong Kong » (« 150 elephants died for ivory load », November 17) has highlighted the rampant demand in Asian countries for these illegal tusks.