David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya
When it comes to animal rescues and rehabilitations, most people tend to think about stray cats and dogs, maybe birds or other small creatures, but what about the wildlife? So many wildlife species are at risk every single day, solely for living and walking through their habitat. The reason for their life risk is often due to poaching, which is the illegal hunting of certain wildlife species. One of the most popular breeds of animals to be poached is elephants. Often hunted for their tusks, elephants in Kenya are already on the endangered species list, but with poaching continuing to occur, they are said to quickly move to the “soon to be extinct” category.
Poaching primarily occurs to adult elephants, which leaves many baby elephants orphaned and wandering the Kenyan desserts by themselves. They often get separated from their herd after the successful slaughter of their mother/father. Thankfully, poaching laws are being enforced much more heavily than prior and there are now organizations stepping up to help.
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya has rapidly become one of the most successful and well-known wildlife rehabilitationorganizations in Kenya! The company was founded by one family’s love for Kenyan elephants, who felt disgusted by the poaching of these magnificent creatures and decided enough was enough! Since the start of his foundation, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has grown tremendously. The organization has rescued and rehabilitated more than 260 orphaned elephants, partnered with numerous companies to help raise funds and awareness, and started nearly a dozen projects all related to helping rescue these amazing animals!
The foundation provides active anti-poaching support, aerial surveillance, habitat conservation, mobile veterinary care units, and so much more. Their aerial surveillance is run through the use of small planes and helicopters to help alert authorities of poaching and notify their team of where their mobile veterinary care is immediately needed. They offer 5 fully equipped veterinary units designed to care for animals injured by snares, arrows, gunshots, and any wildlife-human conflict that they may see. They treat all wildlife but are known for their elephant rehabilitation.
One of the most unique aspects of this foundation is their “adopt an orphan” option. This is one of the most effective ways you can help this foundation raise the money they need to continue their work. You can browse through their elephant or rhino listings that they currently have living in their orphanage. They provide you with their name, age, what happened to them, etc. and you “adopt them”! You’ll send a certain amount of money each month to help provide them with what their caretakers need to take care of them! It’s a beautiful concept that not many foundations do!
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya has quickly become one of the top conservation and rehabilitation foundations in east Africa. Their love for the Kenyan wildlife continues to grow as they help more and more amazing animals each year since they started in 1977. Keep your eye on them and check out their website to see how you can help!
