The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is a small, flexible charity, established in 1977 to honour to memory of a famous Naturalist, David Leslie William Sheldrick MBE, the founder Warden of Tsavo East National Park in Kenya, where he served from its inception in 1948 until his transfer to Nairobi in 1976 to head the Planning Unit of the newly created Wildlife Conservation & Management Department. David died 6 months later but his legacy of excellence and the systems he installed for the management of Tsavo and wildlife generally in Kenya, particularly in the sphere of wildlife husbandry and ethics, lives on.

http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/about_us.asp

Tweeted 11th May 2010

After an early start, Dida, Kimana & Ndii are on route to the Voi stockades to begin the next stage of their reintegration back to the wild.

On the way down to Voi through the Baobabs and morning glory flowers...Few mechanical problems, but now moving on nicely...



UPDATE:
The 3 new arrivals meet up with Lesanju and her mini herd. Ndii was very tired from the safari... It's very hot in Voi unlike rainy Nairobi. Kenia went straight up to meet with his old nursery freinds.

Ndii seemed to be exhausted from the trip. She wanted to stay close to her beloved keepers and actually fell asleep with her head resting on Nairobi Head Keeper, Edwin!!

Looks like their growing up, and they will be joining the older group of orphans. It wiil be a big change for them as they adjust to their new surroundings, and meet some old friends who moved to Vol earlier, and they have'nt see n for a while. Lets hope everything goes OK for them
WS

Fingerscrossed there are no more mechanical problems and they get a straight run WS. Cant have the ellies under any added stress. DWST do a fabulous job!

SM

An update on Emily and Irima's operations

http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/updates/updates.asp?ID=273

Lai

Already my favourite topic!!

I'm glad Dida is at Voi as thats where Shimba is too! Two of my 'babies' together. I hope to visit the stockades at Voi when I go out there on my honeymoon!! As well as the nursery of course!

That will be great Anne-Marie - you'll get to see both Dida and Shimba at Voi - and i bet you won't want to leave the Nairobi nursery at the end of your visit. I could have spent much longer there, it's just fantastic what they do there.

Lai

Lucky you AM it will be great for you to see your babies, we want laods of Pics so what ever you do dont forget to take your camera suff if there's not enough room leave the groom behind
WS

News on the move to Tsavo on 18th May of three of the orphan eles

http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/updates/updates.asp?ID=274to

I would leave everything behind to make sure I took all camera stuff! You're going to wish you hadn't said make sure you take lots of pictures! I take enough when I go to the zoo!!

Lai, did you say it was an extra $250 for a visit by yourself? I'm very tempted to do that, especially as its honeymoon!

It is or was $250 at 3.00pm for 30 minutes! Gemma will let you have more details - i wish i had done that, i think it's worth saving the $ for as when we went at 5.15pm it was crowded, not as crowded at midday when it's open to everyone to visit but still a large number of people.

I guess everyday is different.

Lai

DSWT Latest Facebook Update:

"Lempaute and Shimba greeting children from a local school on a DSWT funded field trip into Tsavo East National Park. These trips are an essential part of our community outreach programme and help educate children about Kenya's wildlife and the need to protect it."



SM

Awwww!! Thats my baby!! Thanks SM. I'm going to get a collage of photo's of shimba printed up so must add that one too the file. I'm going to do that with Dida as well. Lots of photos of them both as they are now nearly 4 and 3!!

I'll definitely do that then Lia. Would just be nice for some quiet time. Would be worth it. Gemma doesn't work there anymore but she's still giving me some info so thats good. The new girl there is Cat.

Thanks for that Anne-Marie - good to know for when we go back!!!

Lai

AM that sound like a really lovely idea. Are you thinking of a digital collage making one picture? When you get it finished can we see?

SM

Yes, will certainly post a pic it when its done. Kodak Gallery do wonderful photobooks and all sorts so will probably get it done on there.

The DSWT facebook page has just posted this clip
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=2294561n&tag=related;photovideo
Its a few years old, but definitely worth watching

Thanks for the link AM. I dont have sound on my works computer, but loved the little ones having a football match and the water. They looked like they had a fabulous time.

The african baby sitters have there work cut out for them, they really are mum to them.

Was your little one there or was that to early? How often do you get updates on progress when you adopt a baby ele?

Sorry just being nosey!

SM

What a clip - i've never seen it before so thanks for posting.

Needless to say it's very emotional but sums up DSWT and the fantastic work they do so well. It makes you and it makes you but i am so glad i watched it.

Brilliant find Anne-Marie - i bet you just can't wait to get there.

Lai

It really is lovely to watch. The keepers are certainly kept on their toes. They have to feed them every 3 hours.

It was filmed before my first baby arrived there. Luelani was there and I know she was moved to Ithumba around the same time Shimba was rescued (all was on elephant diaries) We get monthly updates and every now and again you got additional ones with photos.

I cannot wait to get there.

Why Oh Why do I keep missing the Ele's, again I need to sort time to catch up on this one properly, tomorrow could be the night. Thank you Anne-Marie for keeping this one up to date though, it's really appreciated.

littlewid-x-

Facebook update:

Today Kilaguni, Chaimu and Sabachi are being moved from the nursery to Ithumba.

We wanted to get on the road at 4am, as the later part of the road to Ithumba is bad and so we didn't want to do that part in the heat of the day. Kilaguni went into the truck without a problem. Chaimu & Sabachi were a bit reluctant but we got them in and we were on the road at 4 - a good start. As dawn arrived we were driving through one of the many towns on the road.

Another one of my babies on her next stage, wish Chaimu was off to Voi with Shimba and Dida!! I'm going to have to try and go to Ithumba now as well!! hehe!!

Thanks for the update Anne-Marie. You are going to be busy when you visit! Lovely to hear of more eles on their way back to the wild

Lai

I still need to do a massive catch up with the elephants, but I wish your little baby well Anne-Marie on her next stage.

littlewid-x-

Latest Facebook update

From Ithumba: Well what an incredible evening, all the ex-orphans arrived and brought Chaimu, Kilaguni & Sabachi back to the stockade. It was unbelievable to see so many orphans in one place. Wendi, Kinna, Nasalot and Mulika were all jossling for position to be close to the new babies! Then all stood outside the stockade talking to the new babies. It was truely wonderful to witness. Chaimu seems to be most happy, loving every moment with the big eles and feeling comfortable in their prescence.

Lai

Aww how wonderful!!

I'm really loving how comfortable Chaimu seems out there!! She was only orphaned a year ago so she clearly remembers her wild roots! I bet her transition to the wild is a lot quicker because of this.