David sheldrick Elephant orphanage is located in Nairobi, Kenya.
It was founded in 1977 Daphne Sheldrick in memory of her late husband, David Sheldrick , who was a famous naturalist in Tsavo East National park.
During their lives together, Daphne and David Sheldrick raised and successfully rehabilitated many wild species.
After David's death, Daphne and their family lived and worked in Nairobi National Park where they built the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and its pioneering orphans' project into the global force for wildlife conservation that is today.
They took in orphaned baby elephants and took care of them till they were old enough and then they got retubed into the wild.
Some of the reasons why the Baby elephants are orphaned is :
- Their Mom died by either hunger or being killed by poachers because of their tusks. Their calf in this situation is normally on the verge of death because of hunger and not being able to breastfeed.
- Their mom left them. There has been situation where the mom left their calf because of perhaps a deformity or sickness. In baby elephant sheldrick , there is a calf that was left by his mom because of seizures. But he was taken to baby sheldrick and got medical assistance.
- Other calves are brought to the shedrick from the wild for medical purposes.
While at the orphanage, they are brought up in a way that prepares them to go back into the wild.
At baby shedrick, tourists are advised to not feed the elephants.
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| Baby Elephants playing with their keepers |
This is because, if you feed the baby elephants:
- They will be dependant of humans to feed them, they will trust humans.
- The population of elephants have immensely decreased for the last decade because of being poached for their tusks.
Fun facts About Elephant Calves (Baby Elephants)
- They do not know how to use their trunks until they are between 6 to 8 months.
- They can weigh around 91 kilos or 200 lbs and stand about 3 feet tall or 1 metres tall
- 99% of elephant babies are born at night. Elephants gives birth at night because it allows them to do in a peaceful and calm environment.
- They drink 3 gallons of milk everyday
- Gestation of a baby elephant takes between 18-22 months.
- They are born with a fully developed brain (Remember their gestation period is long).
Because of COVID measures, one needs to confirm that there is a slot before visiting David Sheldrick Elephant orphanage.
There is also an alternative of a tour company,like ourselves (Bencia Africa Adventure and Safaris) to book and confirm a slot for you.
The David Sheldrick elephant orphanage is a great visit while you are in Nairobi.
You can visit it a day before your safari as an 'appetizer' what the actual safari has instore for you.
Besides, this is your opportunity to see baby elephants up close and perhaps even touch them.
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