Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Matriarchs and bulls carry ancient migration routes in their memory – critical knowledge passed down through generations. Our Water for Wildlife Project supports these journeys, providing lifelines during the harshest months.

Thank you to our donors for helping us support our wild neighbours.

For the better part of a century, we have provided a family and a wild future to every orphan who comes into our care – a lifetime commitment that extends long after they reclaim their place in the wild. If our Holiday film inspired you, you can support by adopting one of them ❤️ t.co/CooVpdJj7e

Looking for a gift that actually makes a difference? Field Notes is a stunning coffee-table book filled with real stories from Kenya's conservation frontlines – written by Angela Sheldrick, who grew up amongst orphaned elephants. t.co/5kqmp8uGE9

Our gift to you this Christmas 🎁🐘 We've created something special – a film celebrating the orphans in our care and the remarkable journeys you've made possible. Watch as we share what 'home for the holidays' truly means at the SWT. Watch along with us 🧡www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.o...
#SWTWatchParty

Newborn rhinos are extremely vulnerable. They need to be shielded from even the slightest chill, hence Chamboi's woollen, cherry red blanket. It was such a favourite when he first came into our care, that he flatly refused to wear anything else! Meet the rhinos currently in our care: t.co/CvOTGiQk8X

Collapsed and then attacked by hyenas, this elephant needed a helping hand.

Time was running out. After a truly harrowing experience, the bull was saved.

Donors make these life-saving operations possible. Learn more about our conservation work and how you can support: t.co/RNRO7wx54j

We can hardly believe it: less than 12 hours after Nasalot introduced her new baby to us on Saturday, Mutara came calling with a brand new baby boy! We named him Mango.

We rescued Mutara back in 2009. Her eldest son, the spectacularly spoiled Mambo, now gets to experience big brother life!

Wishing you a Happy Birthday @yasharali.bsky.social from us and the tiny trunks. While our Keepers work so hard to keep these little fuzzy babies safe & loved, we so appreciate your continued shout outs and support, which brings our unusual human-elephant family into the hearts & minds of others ❤️

It’s a girl! Yesterday, 25-year-old Nasalot returned to Ithumba with her family — which included a notable new addition! Nala, as we named her, is Nasalot’s first daughter. We have no doubt Nala will be able to hold her own among big brothers Nusu and Noah.

When newly rescued calves arrive at our Nursery, they might be grieving, or arrive in a state of dehydration or starvation. Your support provides the specialist milk formula for night feeds, the warm blankets that comfort them, the Keepers who sit vigil through those first difficult nights.

Welcome to the world, Mica – our newest Voi grandson! Mweya led her ex-orphan herd back to the stockades after an eight-month absence, with great pomp and ceremony. The reason for all the fanfare? Mbirikani had given birth to a beautiful little boy!

Read Mica's full debut story: t.co/GWT05guvHR

A four-day test of endurance in the tidal mudflats of Kilifi Creek. Two bulls had become trapped, hundreds of metres from solid ground. Tragically, the first bull was already severely compromised. Saving his friend took several tries. We share more here: t.co/JechFQcCdc

Looking for gifts that have a real impact? Our pieces are sustainably chosen, inspired by the wild and fund life-saving conservation work in Kenya. Gift now for your someone special and save lives: t.co/kG6akcA8bG

Being this cute is tiring work! Newborn baby Nsimba settled down for an impromptu calfnap, with 360-degree supervision from his mother and a surplus of nannies. Read about our latest grandbaby — a birth announcement-turned-kidnapping for the books! Full story here: t.co/fh1zSFQVc1

Every day, our aerial teams take to the skies to protect Kenya’s wild spaces. From responding to wildlife emergencies to monitoring herds, tracking illegal activity, and assisting with wildfire response, these missions are vital – and they rely on your support.

POV: Lunchtime with our Voi orphan herd, featuring Baraka. With a helping hand from Keeper Walter, she finishes her milk in record time! You might notice Baraka’s distinctively scarred ears - reminders of the poacher’s snare she survived before she was rescued.

Learn more: swt.bio/baraka

Losoito – absolutely covered, utterly satisfied, and completely unbothered by the fact he's now 90% mud, 10% elephant! Every inch is coated in that glorious Tsavo mud – protection from sun, parasites, and insects all in one satisfying layer. Mission accomplished: maximum mud coverage achieved!

It’s a bird… it’s a plane… it’s Super-Kipekee! Her bright blue 'cape' is as practical as it is stylish: Newly orphaned calves arrive cold, traumatised, and desperately missing their mothers' warmth. A soft blanket becomes their security – physical comfort that says "you're safe, you're not alone."

This marked the moment Chamboi met his SWT family - and took his first helicopter flight. We rescued this tiny newborn after he was found completely alone at the height of a drought. That was back in 2023. Despite his tough start to life, Chamboi is now thriving: swt.bio/chamboi

As a baby, Mzinga struggled to grasp the whole bottle drinking business. Today, she’s a total pro! We rescued Mzinga three years ago, when she was just a month old. It was a real fight to save her life. Today, Mzinga is known as a mini matriarch and a friend to everyone - even the resident rhinos!

Behind every dramatic rescue lies invisible work. We've drilled 51 boreholes and operate eight water bowsers delivering 20,000 litres daily – keeping ecosystems functioning during the harshest months.
Read the 'invisible work' that keeps conservation running: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/n...

Which is your favourite scene from our mud bath gymnastics? Where form matters less than enthusiasm, and every landing is a perfect 10 because you're already covered in mud anyway.

1. Olomunyak 2. Latika's 3. Kerrio

Every face (and bottom) seen here is available to adopt: www.swt.bio/adopt

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...

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.

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

At the height of the dry season, we shepherded 31 elephants off community land into the National Park. These operations can take days, multiple aircraft and ground teams. Much more ‘invisible work’ goes on behind the scenes during these gruelling times too: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.o...

The rains are starting to arrive so what better way to celebrate than with a #throwback to this swimming lesson enjoyed by Muridjo, Mzinga, Nyambeni, and Pardamat. Because when the rains finally arrive in Kenya, there's only one appropriate response: dive in headfirst and worry about dignity later.

Keeper Peter adjusts Kipekee’s blanket with care. For newly rescued tiny orphans, these brightly coloured blankets can become an essential part of their recovery, providing more than just warmth: they offer comfort and a physical reassurance that they're safe.

Ex-orphans like Zongoloni are the best teachers we could ask for. She’s navigated the journey from rescue to wild but still returns to visit. Her visits give orphans an insight that our Keepers can't: foraging skills, the authority of a matriarch, and the awareness needed to navigate wild territory.

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