Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
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Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
@sheldricktrust.bsky.social
World leaders in the rescue and rewilding of orphaned elephants and rhinos, working across Kenya to secure a future for all wildlife.

https://links.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org

@SheldrickTrust on Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, Threads & YouTube
Our anti-poaching dogs aren’t just working dogs – they’re much-loved members of the ranger family. Each is paired with a handler, building trust and teamwork through hours of training. On long patrols, first-aid trained handlers carry up to 8 litres of water each to keep everyone hydrated!
November 10, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Kipekee can't go anywhere without her bodyguard. Big girl Kamili used to be quite stand-offish towards the babies, but Kipekee's arrival changed all that. Now she won't go anywhere without her tiny-trunked friend. From being on the brink of death, to a big caring sister, meet Kamili: swt.bio/kamili
November 10, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Meet unlikely dining companions – Tytan the rhino and Notty the zebra! Rescued just a week apart, these two orphans are now inseparable. Where one goes, the other follows: during milk feeds, the two stand shoulder to shoulder, draining every last drop of their bottles. swt.bio/tytan
November 10, 2025 at 2:06 PM
This sums up Zigi perfectly – bold, curious and a bit of a showboat. As Umani’s youngest grandcalf, he has no shortage of nannies. His mother, Zongoloni is one of our success stories. Rescued after poachers killed her mother, we raised her until she was ready to return to the wild: swt.bio/zongoloni
November 9, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Tytan communicates with his Keepers through huffs, puffs, snorts, and squeaks. Each sound carries meaning. He may not trumpet like elephants or roar like lions, but his repertoire is rich and nuanced. Listen carefully next time you see him – he's got plenty to say: www.swt.bio/tytan
November 9, 2025 at 6:06 PM
At the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, we give orphaned elephants a second chance at life. From their first wobbly steps in our Nursery to the day they are ready to return to the wild, every rescued animal is given the care, love, and guidance they need to thrive: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/a...
November 9, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Our Keepers provide patient mentorship to every orphan. They lead fragile newcomers on their first steps into the forest, walk beside adolescents gaining independence, and know when to step back as the orphans hear the call of the wild. To date, we’ve reintegrated 196 elephants back into the wild.
November 8, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Shop with Purpose

Every purchase from the SWT Shop helps protect wildlife and wild places: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/shop
🎄Festive ornaments now in stock
❄️ Stay warm with our selection of hats
☕ Enjoy a hot drink in our mugs
🎁 Carry your gifts in our tote bags
➕ Lots more to discover
November 8, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Elephant milk changes dramatically in the first 12 months, giving calves everything they need for rapid growth. Dame Daphne Sheldrick was the first person to develop a milk formula for orphaned infant elephants successfully. Thanks to her discovery, Zongoloni survived to start her own family.
November 8, 2025 at 2:05 PM
A bundle of energy, she’s the newest member of our Canine Unit and a star in the fight against wildlife crime. Like all our tracker dogs, she’s specially trained to detect ivory and rhino horn, and to follow the faintest footsteps in the bush to catch wildlife offenders. t.co/xrdA1Iqx1r
November 7, 2025 at 10:49 PM
In the height of Tsavo's dry season, our fleet of bowsers and network of boreholes become a lifeline, ensuring both orphans and wild elephants have reliable access to water. Every day our drivers travel miles to refill tanks — quiet work that rarely makes the footage, but makes all the difference.
November 7, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Where Amali goes, our herd follows. She reminds us of a young Lima Lima, forging ahead, alerting them of danger and tracking down any wayward members of the herd. She is easy to recognise with distinctive trunk — a poacher’s snare severed the tip. Our survivor has adapted marvellously.
November 7, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Tytan, is starting to find his feet - settling into his new home. Helping him every step of the way is Notty the zebra - who survived a similar heartbreaking past. Now inseparable - drinking their bottles side by side and sleeping in adjacent stables: swt.bio/tytan
November 6, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Our Ithumba orphans adore wild-born calves, but they also know that they can get away with anything. On this day, Kindani had enough. Subiri did something to offend her, so she got her revenge with a tail pull, a shove, and a kick. Subiri's mum Sunyei and nannies were over in a flash, no harm done.
November 6, 2025 at 6:16 PM
This brave little black rhino has a heartbreaking story - his mother fatally fell off a cliff, and for two days, the tiny baby gave his rescuers the run round. Now he’s safe at our Nairobi Nursery where he has found the love of a new human family. Discover Tytan’s full rescue story: swt.bio/tytan
November 6, 2025 at 2:43 PM
In Tsavo, the vibrant red earth takes centre stage – a rich hue that makes its red-tinted elephants stand out from their cousins across the country. Kainuk is a member of this distinctive herd. Orphaned in 2011, she grew up in our care and is now 15 years old and living wild: swt.bio/kainuk
November 4, 2025 at 6:37 PM
When Lenny was born, our first Umani grandchild, Mwana, was grouchy – she clearly realised she was no longer Umani's 'only child' and begrudged the change. It's taken patience and the birth of two more babies but we're proud to say Mwana has matured into a model 'big sister'.

#WildBornBabies
November 4, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Until Kipekee and Arthi came along, Wamata held the coveted position of baby of the herd. With the arrival of these tiny newcomers, she has stiff competition to get the matriarch’s attention. Perhaps a little posing might do the trick? With those cheeky, playful poses, we dare anyone to resist!
November 3, 2025 at 10:25 PM
The future of Kenya's wildlife rests with the children growing up alongside it. Our teams visit schools and host field trips, sharing lessons about conservation and the environment. By teaching young students about their wild neighbours, we empower them to become the next Guardians of the Wild.
November 3, 2025 at 2:52 PM
The Umani orphans know the importance of sunscreen. Some dive headfirst into the mud; others fling the stuff over their bodies with abandon; and a cautious few go slowly into the wallow. The end result is all the same: skin coated in a layer of thick mud, which serves to protect from the sun.
November 2, 2025 at 10:48 PM
A handshake hello from Kipekee!

Kipekee was rescued in June in a near-skeletal state, having been without her mother’s milk for days.

This footage, taken last month, shows she’s gained in strength, and her once gaunt cheeks are beginning to look almost chubby: swt.bio/kipekee
November 2, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Protecting Kenya’s great wilderness areas is a relentless, 24–hour operation. Our 29 Anti–Poaching Teams are the boots on the ground. This vital frontline work is the foundation of our mission to safeguard endangered species and secure the future of the environment.
November 2, 2025 at 2:16 PM
We live in a fast-paced world where being busy can be seen as a badge of honour. There's no doubt that, behind the scenes, our Nursery is a hive of activity (milk bottles don't mix themselves!) yet the orphans remind us what truly matters: spending time with family, and taking a moment to rest.
November 1, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Bring the orphans into your lives every day with our 2026 Calendar. So many faces await within - each image featuring orphaned animals in our care. Proceeds from our wall-hanging calendar benefit our conservation projects - meaning every purchase can make a difference for wildlife.
November 1, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Last month, when Mbegu's semi-independent herd walked away in a different direction, Kenderi tried to follow them. The Keepers called her back – at only six years old and still milk dependent, she's not quite ready for that step. But her eagerness shows she's preparing herself: swt.bio/kenderi
October 31, 2025 at 10:00 PM