Duke

Our pilots patrol remote areas to spot signs of illegal activity, track snared or injured wild animals, and guide ground teams to elephant orphans needing rescue. The Unit provides perspective and rapid response, ensuring help can be dispatched quickly, safeguarding the animals and the Keepers.

Naipoki’s new baby is a special milestone for us: He is the 80th known calf born to an orphan we rescued, raised, and reintegrated back into the wild. This new generation is helping to secure a future for Kenya's elephants - one baby at a time. Meet more tiny trunks: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.o...

28 seconds. That's all it takes for Tytan to finish his bottle of specialist formula milk. We hand feed this orphan black rhino milk on a schedule throughout the day. Come nightfall, he enjoys a bounty of leafy vegetation in a night time stable, which keeps his tummy full overnight: swt.bio/tytan

Have you heard the pitter-patter of tiny feet? A bundle of joy was hand-delivered to Voi on Wednesday, with the birth of our 80th grandcalf! Here's a sneak peek of the tiny baby, born to one of our orphaned elephants. Can you guess who the proud mother is? We'll be sharing more in our next post.

15 years ago, a tiny orphaned elephant was rescued from a well. Predators had bitten her trunk and she was hungry, weak, and frightened. That was how Naipoki’s story began. Now - just this week - she adds a new chapter to her story: motherhood! Remind yourself of how far she’s come: swt.bio/naipoki

Don’t break up on social media, kids. It’s just plain rude.

In the past five years alone, our Canine Unit has covered an impressive 7,588 kilometres on patrol. To put that into perspective, the dogs have tracked roughly the distance from Cape Town to Beijing - nose to the ground, head in the game, and hearts on the job. Their dedication led to 75 arrests.

Tytan's name is a nod to this endangered black rhino's strength and bravery. When he's ready, Tytan will join the wild black rhino population of Nairobi National Park, supporting the recovery of his species in his own natural way. You can be a part of it too. Adopt Tytan: www.swt.bio/tytan

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!

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.

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

25-year-old Ukrainian powerlifter from Mykolaiv,Dmytro Polovych, who has cerebral palsy,won the WPA Hungary World Championships by lifting 105 kilograms

Dmytro was born with level IV cerebral palsy.Doctors warned that he would never be able to take even a single step or hold his head up on his own

Watching wild herds approach our orphan units reminds us why this work matters. These elephants know Umani Reintegration Unit is a safe haven. They bring their calves, browse peacefully nearby, and sometimes mingle with our orphans – a beautiful testament to the trust we've built in this landscape.

Since graduating from the Nairobi Nursery, spirited Weka has discovered that Ithumba offers so much more room for mischief and mayhem. From splashing sessions to charging through the water like she owns the place – Weka is making the most of her new environment!

Support Weka: swt.bio/weka

Tiny, surprisingly feisty, and the undisputed darling of the Nursery herd. Just like her name, which means ‘unique’, Kipekee's story is far from typical – involving a rapid-response rescue to save this milk-starved baby, and a desperate attempt to treat her dying mother: swt.bio/kipekee

Esoit is king of his (very tiny!) soil castle. No matter how tall or how small the earth mound, he likes to climb atop and lord over the dusting session. Esoit is normally a very humble elephant, so we always laugh to see this habit!

Your generosity helps us give second chances: swt.bio/esoit

This three-year-old was once known more for fun and games than her maternal instincts, but Muridjo's character has truly evolved of late. She's becoming one of our Nursery's most doting nannies: Every morning she heads over to Kipekee's stable to collect her and lead her out to the forest.

To error is human, to forgive is divine 🎇

Mzinga, Muridjo, and Kamili are good friends — but it’s every nanny for herself when precious Kipekee is in the picture. The nannies bump, barge, and body-check each other as they jockey for prime position next to the little girl — and so it goes until they are well into the forest!

Scenes from a delightfully chaotic bottle feeding and stable cleaning session! Keeper Peter has many helping hooves in the form of Bean the warthog, Bombi the zebra, Choke the kudu, Izera the eland, plus Gruff and Bibi the buffaloes. We will nurture them for as long as they need us.

Elephants are wonderfully demonstrative with their emotions. In the wild, they show affection through trunk hugs and body contact. For our orphans, an 'elephant hug' means the same thing — I love you!

Connect with an orphaned elephant like Toto through our adoption programme: swt.bio/toto

On your marks… get set… go!

When Kapei made an impromptu dash to the imaginary finish line, little Lenny wasn’t about to get left behind. His mother, Lima Lima, couldn’t resist joining the race, too. With a coach like Lima Lima, it won’t be long before Lenny gives Kapei a run for his money!

Born to ex-orphan Kalama, Kapuki represents the incredible success of our Orphans' Project. What makes it even more special? These wild mothers choose to bring their babies back to introduce them to the people who raised them.

Korbessa flew into our lives as a tiny calf and has blossomed into a confident lady!

Keeper Joseph remains by her side every step. Raising newborn orphans requires years of hands-on care, providing love and guidance for their eventual wild lives.

Korbessa has come so far already: swt.bio/korbessa

Our SWT/KWS Rift Valley Vet Unit responded to reports of a giraffe with a paint tin trapped on her leg. These situations require immediate intervention - metal tins prevent movement, cause infections, and cut circulation. Thanks to swift reporting, this gentle giant received expert care.

Rescued as an infant, Twiggy has grown up – more upwardly in size than by age, as she’s still only three years old – at our Kaluku Unit. She strides at her own rhythm; enjoying long strolls, browsing the acacia trees, and keeping a watchful eye on all the comings and goings: swt.bio/twiggy

Losoito is very particular about her wallowing conditions - the weather must be just so!

Our little munchkin was spotted during aerial patrol - a drought orphan who'd latched onto a bull for protection. Now she has a family and a wild future ahead.

Support Losoito: swt.bio/losoito

Our busiest time begins as dry season sets in across Kenya. Everything ramps up during these challenging months - illegal activities, human-wildlife conflict, field emergencies, and orphan rescues all increase as natural resources become scarce. Watch this snapshot from the final week in August.

From a mischievous baby to a calm, capable young leader, Mwana (leading in both clips) has grown so much over the past two years. The very first wild grandbaby born to our Umani orphan herd, Mwana has clearly been taking notes from her mother, matriarch Murera.

Tamiyoi found herself a scenic seat, scratched her bottom to her heart’s content, and enjoyed the view! We rescued Tamiyoi from the bottom of a well in 2015. A decade later, she is thriving at our Voi Reintegration Unit — where she's stepped up as matriarch of the dependent orphan herd.