#Swt

Many of you are wondering how Korbessa handled Toto, Natibu, and Mwinzi’s graduation to Ithumba, especially given her close relationship with Toto. We are happy to report that she is absolutely fine! Korbessa has lots to keep her busy at Kaluku: a whole herd to lord over, a tiny orphan to nanny, and her new bestie, Lamuu, to hang out with. Elephants are incredibly intelligent creatures. We really believe that the orphans understand what graduations are all about. There is usually an adjustment period after a move, but only a brief one — the orphans seem to know that their friends are okay and have just moved on to a new phase. — To date, we have successfully raised over 320 orphaned elephants. Learn more about our pioneering rescue-to-rewilding process, which unfolds over many years: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/projects/orphans/raise-an-orphan-elephant (link in stories) —— © Sheldrick Wildlife Trust #SheldrickTrust #SWT #KorbessaSWT #kenya #elephant

The big news at Kaluku is that our boys have started graduation training. Busybody Korbessa is not quite ready for that step, but she still tags along to observe proceedings. Far from the innocuous bystander, she keeps herself — and everyone around her — thoroughly entertained while she’s at it! — Korbessa is a very special little orphan — rescued as a neonate and now running the show at our Kaluku Unit. You can play a crucial role in her story by adopting her, as a gift for yourself or someone special. Discover Korbessa’s rescue story and adopt in a few simple steps: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/korbessa (link in stories/bio 🐘) —— © Sheldrick Wildlife Trust #SheldrickTrust #SWT #KorbessaSWT

Mbirikani is only a week into motherhood, but she’s already a pro! Every new orphan mum brings us such enormous pride — but especially when it comes from a hard-won success story like Mbirikani. Look closely, and you might spot something a bit unusual about her front right leg. Mbirikani stands out as one of our most dramatic recoveries. She predates Mwashoti as our original snare survivor, overcoming an equally gruesome injury. We rescued Mbirikani in June 2013, after she was found with a cable snare slicing inches deep into her front right leg. Based on the advanced injury, she had been suffering for a long time. Mbirikani went to our nearby Voi Reintegration Unit, becoming the original ‘Voi Kid.’ (Watch to the end and you’ll see photos of Mbirikani’s early days with us.) Many elephants rescued at an older age remain understandably aloof, but Mbirikani was different. During the long, difficult months of recovery, she really embraced her Keepers — even now that she is grown and living wild, those bonds are just as strong. We knew Mbirikani was pregnant, and while we take nothing for granted, we really hoped she would return to introduce us to her new baby. Imagine our delight when she turned up last Monday, proudly debuting her beautiful baby boy! Mica, as we have named him, is perfect in every way. — In fact, the past five weeks have been blessed with five new grandbabies born to our ex-orphans! We couldn’t be prouder. Learn more about Mbirikani and Mica: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/news/updates/mbirikani-mica —— © Sheldrick Wildlife Trust #SheldrickTrust #SWT #MbirikaniSWT #MicaSWT

Rise and shine, the elephant way! In our last post, we touched upon Natibu’s feisty personality. Here it is, fully on display. This was taken two years ago — Natibu has long since graduated from his baby stable — but he still smiles upon a new day. Given Natibu’s rescue story, this was quite a poignant scene: In March 2023, when he was just a small baby, he was found submerged and stuck inside a manhole. He arrived at our Kaluku Unit deeply traumatised, especially in any sort of confined space. Even his stable, which most orphans see as a safe space, seemed to give him echoes of the manhole. The Keepers patiently earned his trust, showing him that he was loved and in good hands. Thus, to see him so comfortable inside his bedroom — and quite cheeky to boot — was a triumph indeed. Natibu has already come so far, but his journey with us is just beginning. You can become part of his story by adopting him, as a gift for yourself or someone special: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/natibu —— © Sheldrick Wildlife Trust #SheldrickTrust #SWT #NatibuSWT #elephants #kenya

Mzinga, Muridjo, and Kamili are good friends — but all allegiances are forgotten when precious Kipekee is in the picture. The nannies bump, budge, 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! Note how Kipekee blithely strides on, unfazed by all the adoration. She is very spoiled and enjoys the fuss! — Kipekee is the latest addition to our foster program. Rescued in June, this tiny orphan lost her mother to human-wildlife conflict. She arrived at the Nursery in very rough shape, and it has taken round-the-clock care to nurse her back to health. It has only been two months, but she has already made enormous progress! 🐘 Support Kipekee’s journey though an adoption: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/kipekee (link in bio/stories) —— © Sheldrick Wildlife Trust #SheldrickTrust #SWT #KipekeeSWT #KamiliSWT #MuridjoSWT #MzingaSWT #kenya #elephant #rescue #neworphan

Kipekee runs a tight ship. The smallest, most spoiled member of our Nursery herd has buckets of confidence and never backs down from a challenge — sometimes, she even charges at strangers, full of bluster! Our little girl in blue is a force to be reckoned with. — Rescued in June, Kipekee lost her mother to human-wildlife conflict. She arrived at the Nursery in very poor condition, and it has taken round-the-clock care to nurse her back to health. This is just the beginning of Kipekee’s journey — and starting at $50/£35 a year, you can support her through an adoption: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/kipekee (link in bio/stories 🐘) —— © Sheldrick Wildlife Trust #SheldrickTrust #SWT #KipekeeSWT #kenya #elephant #rescue #neworphan

It’s Lemeki’s world, we just live in it! However, there are some changes afoot: At seven years old, Lemeki is now the eldest fully dependent female in our Voi herd. She is quickly ascending to the role of mini matriarch — and doing an excellent job, we might add! It’s hard to believe that the precocious, newborn orphan we rescued back in 2018 is now taking on such a serious leadership position. With that said, a leopard doesn’t fully change its spots: Lemeki has always been the centre of her universe, and as this scene shows, even with her new responsibilities, she remains just as self-absorbed (in the most wonderful way!) as ever. See here how she takes over the mud bath, splashing her little charges to the side in order to give herself the loveliest possible experience. — As with many of the orphans in our herd, we rescued Lemeki when she was a tiny baby. She will remain in our care until she is ready to reclaim her place in the wild — a process that can take upwards of a decade — and we will be there to support her every step of the way. Discover Lemeki’s story: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/lemeki (link in stories/bio) —— © Sheldrick Wildlife Trust #SheldrickTrust #SWT #LemekiSWT #elephant #kenya #fun #wild #family

Tantrums have a way of ruining a nice, peaceful meal. Just ask Thamana: The Voi Kids arrived and all peace fled the scene — along with the very startled starlings you might just catch, making a hasty exit for the skies! (Sound up for the full experience) It all started when the final feeding group — Hildana, Epiya, Juni, and Baraka — raced down for their bottles. Realising that the other three were outpacing him and outraged at the indignity of it all, Hildana threw a very vocal tantrum. Completely unnecessary, as everyone gets their due bottles — but his pride was at stake! — Every elephant here is an orphan. The Voi Kids are unique in that they were all rescued in the devastating 2021–22 drought, which hit Tsavo particularly hard. Now, this special class is growing up at our Voi Reintegration Unit, where they will ultimately reclaim their place in the wild. Support an orphan’s journey back to the wild through an adoption — and become part of their story every step of the way: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans (link in bio) —— © Sheldrick Wildlife Trust #SheldrickTrust #SWT #BarakaSWT #ThamanaSWT #EpiyaSWT #HildanaSWT #JuniSWT #kenya #conservation #elephants

Best friends Tytan and Notty have a standing date for second breakfast! Rescued one week apart, this unlikely-but-inseparable pair share remarkably similar stories: Both their mothers suffered fatal cliff falls, leaving their babies orphans. Now, both Tytan (the rhino) and Notty (the zebra) are safely at our Nairobi Nursery. They are dining partners, nighttime neighbours, and best friends. — Tytan just joined our foster program. Support his journey back to the wild — and help us provide the specialised, round-the-clock care every orphan deserves — through an adoption: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/tytan (link in bio/stories) —— © Sheldrick Wildlife Trust #SheldrickTrust #SWT #TytanSWT #NottySWT #blackrhino #rhino #zebra #bestfriends #neworphan #kenya #endangered #adopt

It’s a boy! Yesterday, our Voi team awoke to the best surprise: Naipoki had given birth to her first baby. As is tradition among our ex-orphans, she immediately journeyed home to celebrate with the people who raised her. Naipoki’s baby is also a special milestone: He is the 80th known calf born to an orphan we rescued, raised, and reintegrated back into the wild. Just like us, the dependent Voi orphans were delighted to have a new baby in their midst. They jostled around him in a lovely tangle of trunks, welcoming him to the family. As you can see, he was eager to introduce himself to everyone, too! — We look forward to sharing more about our newest grandbaby — but first, we had to tell you the exciting news. Supporters like you make these moments possible, helping us rescue the orphans of today and pave the way for generations of elephants. Thank you! Revisit Naipoki’s story: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/naipoki —— © Sheldrick Wildlife Trust #SheldrickTrust #SWT #NaipokiSWT #SWTBirthAnnouncement #family #baby #elephant #wild

From mischievous little sprite to calm, capable young leader, Mwana (first 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. In fact, she is lucky to be surrounded by wonderful role models, from her nannies and honorary aunts and uncles, to the Keepers who make up her extended family. We know she will grow up to be just as impressive as her own mother. — Read Mwana’s birth announcement from March 2023: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/news/updates/murera-baby-mwana —— © Sheldrick Wildlife Trust #SheldrickTrust #SWT #MureraSWT #MwanaSWT #miracle #herd #family

The truants being frogmarched home by the ex-orphans (see our previous post if you missed the first part of the story!) — Part 2 • Mbegu Orchestrates an Epic Kidnapping, Naipoki Saves the Day Overwrought with baby fever, Mbegu took leave of her senses. We believe she was envious of Naipoki’s new boy and decided to claim every available baby to her side! At breakfast the next morning, she whisked away 12 of the youngest ‘Voi Kids.’ This was the biggest kidnapping in the history of our orphans. While Mbegu is a responsible leader, the Voi Kids are still milk-dependent and vulnerable to predators — especially Sholumai and Mushuru, who only graduated from the Nursery in May. After many hours of searching, we finally found Mbegu, Tagwa, Lasayen, Ngilai, Murit, Rorogoi, Naipoki, and Nsimba hanging out beneath a copse of tamarind trees, sheepishly cocooning Sholumai and Mushuru. The rest of the ex-orphans had clearly peeled off with the other ten truants. However, we had a wrinkle. Sholumai and Mushuru flatly refused to leave baby Nsimba — so Naipoki heroically stepped up. Understanding the situation, she followed the Keepers and led the entire group back to the stockades. Mbegu showed no contrition for the havoc she had orchestrated, but joined the convoy without hesitation — perhaps she realised she had borne more responsibility than she could bear! Just before midnight, sensible Godoma delivered the remaining ten orphans back to the stockades. With all truants home, we could finally breathe a sigh of relief. And so, our saga drew to a close! A new Voi grandbaby came with a massive kidnapping, but all ended well and wonderfully. — Read the full story — and learn more about Naipoki, our latest orphan-turned-mum: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/news/updates/naipoki-nsimba (link in bio/stories) —— © Sheldrick Wildlife Trust #SheldrickTrust #SWT #NaipokiSWT #NsimbaSWT #SWTBirthAnnouncement #family #baby #elephant #wild