……the world’s largest living land mammal, never failed to fill me with wonder. These gentle giants, with their unmatched power and tender care for each other, are truly a sight to behold.
A bull elephant can weigh up to 6.5 tons and easily roll and crush a car or stand over a vehicle and rub his tummy; I suspect the bull elephant was in a musth stage, a period of heightened aggression and sexual activity in male elephants.
Daphne and David Sheldrick raised and successfully rehabilitated many wild species. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Tanzania is the world’s first and most successful elephant orphanage rescue and rehabilitation program, a beacon of hope for orphaned elephants. https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/
Our visit to Sheldrick Orphanage in Nairobi was a truly moving experience. Witnessing the elephant infant orphans being bottle-fed by their dedicated caregivers was a testament to the unwavering human spirit. These caregivers, who live with their elephants, nurture them until they are ready to return to the wild. Their dedication is not just inspiring, it’s a beacon of hope for these orphaned elephants.
Founded in 1977 by Daphne Sheldrick in memory of her late husband, the famous naturalist David Sheldrick. He is one of Africa’s most famous and proficient pioneer National Park Wardens. David worked for over two decades, transforming a wild, uncharted, inhospitable land into Kenya’s largest and most famous National Park, the Tsavo National Park.
Daphne was the first to perfect the milk formula and husbandry needed to successfully raise infant milk-dependent elephants and rhinos. After her husband’s death, Daphne and her family worked in the Nairobi National Park, where they built The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and its pioneering Orphans’ Project into the global force for wildlife conservation that it is today.
While there are many opportunities in South Africa to observe elephants, nothing could have prepared me for the moment when an elephant reached out with its trunk and touched my face. The surprise and joy I felt were indescribable. The moisture from the elephant’s trunk carried a scent that reminded me of puppies, a smell that has always brought me joy.
In Malawi, driving into a National Park with a warning about elephants, I couldn’t resist the urge to jump out of our car and take a photo of the sign. It’s safe to say I might have a slight elephant obsession. The grace and power of these creatures have always fascinated me, and I’m sure I’m not the only one.
When we finally reached Cairo after several challenging months, Tom gave me a necklace with a little elephant. I wear it as I write this blog, a constant reminder of my love for these majestic animals.