Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

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Leaders in the conservation, rescue, and rewilding of orphaned African elephants and rhinos, bringing 50 years of field experience to wildlife protection and habitat preservation across Kenya.

From Bumpy to Bungalu, blanket babies and unlikely best friends, these are just a few of the faces featured in our hot-o...
18/09/2026

From Bumpy to Bungalu, blanket babies and unlikely best friends, these are just a few of the faces featured in our hot-off-the-press 2027 Calendar. To discover the rest, you’ll have to look inside!

Featuring a year’s worth of photos of our orphan herd, calendars make a wonderful gift for any SWT supporter. They’re also a daily reminder of the wildlife you help protect — proceeds from every purchase go toward our conservation work in Kenya.

→ U.S. / NORTH AMERICA shoppers, purchase here: https://shopusa.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/products/swt-2027-calendar

→ GLOBAL shoppers, purchase here: https://shop.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/products/calendar-2027

✓ If you’d like a calendar, don’t delay — they sell out every year!

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© Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, with our thanks to Mia Collis for the stunning photography in this year’s calendar

18/09/2026

At Umani, one question looms large: Will Murera have a baby boy or a girl? Only time will tell!

We don’t think we’ll have to wait too long. Murera is in the final stages of her pregnancy, and we’re all on baby watch. Evans and the other Keepers are doing everything they can to keep our expectant mother comfortable and calm in the meantime!

The ‘calm’ part is easier said than done: You might notice Murera’s left tusk, which is a symptom of her current state. Murera’s pregnant mood swings are notorious and most of the orphans tiptoe around her. Those who incite her ire (often for reasons unclear even to them!) find themselves on the receiving end of her tusks. Kerrio found this out the hard way one morning, when she inadvertently offended the matriarch. Unfortunately for Murera, she underestimated Kerrio’s weight and was left with a broken left tusk. The same exact scenario happened during her first pregnancy, only her target was Enkesha and it was the opposite tusk. Murera is running out of tusks to break!

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Murera may rule with an iron fist, but we’re all the better for it. She is a truly remarkable elephant — one who overcame a hip shattered at the hands of poachers to become a formidable matriarch and mother.

Discover her story: https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/murera

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© Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

When today began, this elephant’s time was running out. She had spent the night trapped inside a muddy prison and was un...
17/09/2026

When today began, this elephant’s time was running out. She had spent the night trapped inside a muddy prison and was unable to free herself. Fortunately, it ended with her whole life ahead of her.

Our work to save elephants extends across Kenya, from the plains of the Mara to the great Rift Valley. Every mission looks a bit different: for instance, the past two days in Tsavo were dominated by the translocation of a pair of fence-breaking bulls (see previous posts if you missed the stories!). But even while these massive operations are unfolding, they are far from the only thing happening — our teams are working throughout the country to save lives and respond to emergencies.

For our SWT/KWS Mount Kenya Mobile Vet Unit, today’s mission took them to this drying waterpan. The patient — a young adult female — was discovered exhausted after a night trying to extricate herself. In fact, she was so spent that Dr Poghon didn’t even sedate her; working quickly, the team roped her and pulled her to firm ground with the vet vehicle. She ran off to reunite with her herd, muddy but otherwise unharmed by her ordeal.

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Saving nature’s giants is no small undertaking. Donors like you help us rise to the challenge for elephants across Kenya. Thank you for your support.

https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/

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© Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

17/09/2026

Babyhood best friends Wangalla and Bumpy spend less time together these days, as they pursue their different interests — one firmly by land, the other by water. However, they still find common ground for an evening catch-up with Keeper Festus!

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Wangalla (the elephant) and Bumpy (the hippo) are two of the youngest orphans in our care. Rescued as neonates, they have already come so far — but this is actually just the beginning of their journey with us, as we guide them through their youth and ultimately help them reclaim their place in the wild.

Discover our orphans’ incredible rescue stories and support their round-the-clock care through an adoption: https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans

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© Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Darling little Kipekee may no longer be the smallest member of the Nursery herd — that distinction goes to tiny Zuri — b...
17/09/2026

Darling little Kipekee may no longer be the smallest member of the Nursery herd — that distinction goes to tiny Zuri — but the mini matriarchs still coddle and cosset her, from trunk to tail. Muridjo (with Kipekee here) is particularly diligent towards both girls.

As often happens between Tiny Baby 1 and Tiny Baby 2, Kipekee and Zuri are both friends and rivals. Kipekee sometimes misses the unadulterated pampering she enjoyed before Zuri came along and gets her revenge. Other days, Zuri dollops her weight around for no reason.

One such morning, she snuck up behind Kipekee, pushed her hard, and sent her toppling like a stack of bricks. Realising that Zuri was the culprit, Kipekee gave chase but was intercepted by a very protective Muridjo. The mini matriarch calmed Kipekee with her trunk but kept the two girls apart. You can see the aftermath in the final photo!

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SWT foster family, this is just one of the moments covered in our latest monthly update, released today. You’ll find the full story behind these photos in the August 14 entry of our Nursery Keepers’ Diaries: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/keepers-diaries

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Our global family of foster parents makes our work possible — thank you for your incredible support!

Want to join our herd? Meet the orphans and find your perfect match: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans

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© Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

16/09/2026

Two days, two giant elephant translocations.

Yesterday, in a joint operation with the Kenya Wildlife Service, we moved a truant bull who had a dangerous habit of breaking onto community land. Today, we turned to his partner-in-crime.

This bull had a human-inflicted injury on his face, which hinted at what his outcome could have been: Historically, with little other option, ‘problem elephants’ were killed. By translocating them to more remote wildernesses, we offer a lifesaving solution.

Dr Limo of the SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit walks us through the team’s second translocation in as many days. After the SWT helicopter put the bull in position, Dr Limo darted him from the air. As luck would have it, he fell right near the road, which made for a fairly seamless loading process.

But still, it was a giant operation. Translocations require helicopters, heavy machinery, and a full-force team specialised in this work. Even once the bull is loaded, the journey is far from over. The team will spend several hours in transit, chaperoning their giant passenger — navigating bumpy park roads and the hectic Mombasa Highway — until they reach their destination.

We delivered the bull to the same place where his friend landed the day prior. They will have abundant food and water, space to roam safely — and of course, the sidekicks are back together again.

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These giant operations are only possible because of donors like you. Thank you for your lifesaving support. https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/

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© Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

15/09/2026

Today, in a joint operation with the Kenya Wildlife Service, we translocated this bull to safer territory. He had become a notorious fence-breaker, raiding community land, destroying crops, and presenting a danger to the people who live there.

When all other efforts to move him failed, it was time to mobilise a full translocation. From helicopter pilots to crane truck operators, rangers and vets, this was a big operation that required all hands on deck. But in such a high-pressure case, it was the only way to prevent further conflict and possible loss of life.

Dr Limo of the SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit walks us through the translocation. After the bull was located, our helicopter put him in position, Dr Limo darted him from the air, and ground teams moved in. We loaded our titanic passenger was onto the low-loader, securely strapped him in, and then gave him a full es**rt down the Mombasa Highway and deep into the Tsavo ecosystem. He was revived in an area with plenty of food and water, and no doubt will make himself right at home.

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Donors like you make these operations possible. Thank you for helping us move mountains to save nature's giants, no matter how great the challenge.
https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/

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© Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

14/09/2026

Keeper Peter has a rather zealous team supporting him through every step of the day. We are, of course, referring to his sidekicks and shadows, orphaned zebras Brutus and Bombi. All Peter’s little charges adore him, but these two take love to the next level. (You might see Bombi holding Peter’s hand, the equine way!)

The zebras are let out of their stables first thing in the morning, or else they would kick up a fuss. Then, the merry little group continues to buffalo Mochi. Next, they move onto Richard the eland and finally little Ndawe the blind-in-one-eye buffalo. They’ll spend the day out in the bush, exploring, playing, and grazing together.

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Every face seen here is an orphan. Find out how we rescue wildlife like Bombi, Brutus, Mochi, Richard, and Ndawe, and protect the habitats they call home: https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/

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© Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

14/09/2026

Bungalu has an adorable little habit: When he’s drinking his bottle, he delicately grasps the handle with his two trunk fingers. He’s not strong enough yet to hold the whole bottle, but he wants to pull his weight!

(This is a unique trait among African elephants. They have two prehensile ‘fingers’ on the end of their trunk, which give them the dexterity to pick up the tiniest pebble, the thinnest blade of grass — or the tubular handle of a milk bottle!)

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Before he was rescued, Bungalu spent several long, lonely weeks trying to fend for himself. A small, milk-dependent calf is terribly vulnerable, yet he managed to survive a lion attack and earth-shaking storms. It must have been a very frightening time.

Now, Bungalu will never be alone again. In fact, with Kaikai by his side, personal space is a thing of the past! Keepers like Jonas, seen here, will be there day and night, guiding him through the years.

You can become part of Bungalu’s journey, too. Wherever you are in the world, your support helps shepherd him from orphan to wild elephant.

Read his full rescue story and foster him today: https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/bungalu

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© Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

13/09/2026

Meet Ushindi: Ushindi means ‘victory’ in Swahili — a fitting name for a young elephant who managed to overcome the incredible odds set against her. 

She was on her last legs when she was rescued and arrived at Voi in a state of collapse. It took many months of recovery to get her truly back on her feet. Even during her healing days, she was a friendly and calm girl.  

Now, Ushindi is starting to shine as a nanny. She has adopted little Serenget as ‘her’ baby and diligently shadows her from sunup to sundown. When Serenget emerges from her room, Ushindi is there to scoop her up; when she drinks her milk bottles, Ushindi stands guard; when she enjoys a mud bath, Ushindi splashes right beside her — and so on and so forth!

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Ushindi is one of the Voi Kids rescued during the 2022 drought. It was an exceptionally busy time — that year alone, we rescued 33 orphaned elephants — and with so many new arrivals needing urgent care, her formal introduction ended up further down the line than we would have liked. With several new rescues from this year soon to join our adoption programme themselves, we didn’t want her to be left behind any longer.

Read Ushindi’s rescue story and support her round-the-clock care through an adoption: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/ushindi

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© Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

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