Yes kids, today is indeed World Elephant Day! It is an annual global event dedicated to protecting and supporting these magnificent and intelligent creatures that face threats like poaching and habitat loss. Luckily many more are starting to realize just how close we came to these animals being wiped out in number much like rhinos. Elephants have always been a passion of mine, so much so it is what spurred on my trip to the stunning Nairobi back in 2024 to see them. I have also become a member too. It was a memory I won't soon forget being at the Sheldrick Trust conservancy to view the place and see these creatures up closer than a zoo even. They are a well-known conservation charity based in Kenya. It protects elephants and wild animals in general. They also have a rhino, giraffes, a few zebra, warthog hogs, which are actually very comical, and most recently rescued a baby hippo, Bumpy who is coming along very nice and adorable. Not to mention very much a ham and has befriended a elephant, which is very rare. Not a day goes by I don't view there Instagram, where Angela often does live feeds, and shares beautiful posts, several times a day. They are famous for rescuing and raising orphaned baby elephants mostly, and to great success than anyone else. It was founded in 1977 by Dr Dame Daphne Sheldrick and created to honor her late husband who was warden of the Tsavo East National Park. It is since led by their daughter Angela Sheldrick, who does an amazing newsletter each month. Their project includes orphan's project, which rescues milk dependent baby elephants and rhinos left alone by poaching or human wildlife conflict. They are then raised by a mid-wife or hubby to be with them almost 24/7. Dame Daphne was the only person ever to perfect the milk formula to have the orphaned creatures accept it, raise them, and release them back in the wild one day to join existing herds. They also have anti-poaching teams to find and stop illegal traps and hunting, have a mobile veterinary unit, and perform habitat and water conservation projects to protect the wild lands. Not to mention educate the community on their beautiful creatures and how to live life along with them. I have such passion then I even said I would sell everything one day and move to the trust and do the work for free for lodging and meals, just to work with these elephants. They are amazing. On my tour we were told they have raised and released over 350 elephants back into the wild, and many years later those orphans come back, remember all their handlers, and bring along, in some cases, their new baby to show it off...others return as if just saying hello. And Ms. Agnes one year even sent me a gift of an adopted elephant, Hildona, which she is now almost 8 years old!!! Between the adoption and donations through the year, I can't think of a better way to spend some doe. If anyone wants to have fun and do a donation if the will kicks in, feel free to do so here. Can't think of a better way to honor the day myself. To see my day there you can click here.
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