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In this next part of Adine’s research trip to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya, she headed to the Voi reintegration unit in Tsavo East National Park. “There are three release areas for elephant orphans from Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and it was on my bucket list to visit one,“ Adine says…
As one group finished their milk, the next ran for their bottles. They then headed to the trough and dam for water. Guests visiting Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and staying at one of their eco-lodges are invited to join the orphans at the midday mud bath.
People often ask us why Kenya has so many elephant orphans in the orphanages. The governance of elephants depends on a country’s laws and authorities. Kenya and South Africa have very different legislation and standards. In South Africa, this is a very new concept. HERD is South Africa’s first dedicated elephant orphanage. In South Africa, guiding legislation and principles instruct that HERD only takes in calves orphaned due to human-elephant conflict, not natural causes. In Kenya, all orphans are taken – into Reteti or Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, regardless of the cause of displacement, such as drought. There is no right or wrong, but you must follow the government’s norms and standards and work alongside your country’s rules and regulations.
Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has numerous calves simultaneously who grow up together in the Nairobi orphanage. After graduating from the nursery, an orphaned elephant moves to one of three reintegration units, which serve as launchpads for life back in the wild. They are moved in groups and make new friends. In our reserve at HERD, the elephants remain together with carers during the day, as the reserve has a tourism presence. It is vital to keep our elephants away from human development for their safety and that of people. Our long-term rewilding plan includes looking for land where the elephants can be rewilded. Protected available land with no tourism or human presence is in short supply in South Africa, unlike in Kenya.
Adine was immensely grateful to spend time at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and gain insight into the differences between Kenya and South Africa. We are always working to learn more and build relationships with others working to care for elephant orphans.
Loved this, Adine, and watched it several times over. Sheldrick are indeed doing an amazing job with all the orphans that are arriving on their doorstep. As a woman, I couldn’t help but notice, the babies were drawn to you and your ‘motherly’ touch and the intonation of your voice definitely brought a few of them into your fold for hugs and rubs; I could definitely see a Khanyisa expression in many of their faces. It was good too to see you took some time for yourself and had a revitalising mudpack facial! Thank you so much for sharing; I’m sure you will enjoy looking back, many times over, at these videos, as we will; for educational purposes, of courses! With love and respect.