Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Last updated
Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Founded1977
Founder Daphne Sheldrick
FocusElephant conservation
Location
Area served
East Africa
MethodWork together to save elephants from being extinct
CEO
Angela Sheldrick
Website www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) [1] operates an orphaned elephant rescue and wildlife rehabilitation program in Nairobi, Kenya. It was founded in 1977 by Dame Daphne Sheldrick to honour her late husband, David. Since 2001, it has been run by their daughter, Angela.

Contents

History

For over 25 years Kenya-born Daphne Sheldrick lived and worked alongside her husband, David, a naturalist and founding warden of Tsavo East National Park. Throughout this time, they raised and successfully rehabilitated many wild animal species. Daphne was the first person to have perfected the milk formula and necessary husbandry for infant milk-dependent elephants, discovering that coconut oil was the nearest substitute for the fat in elephant milk. [2]

After David's death in 1977, Daphne and her family lived and worked in Kenya's Nairobi National Park. In 1987, the David Sheldrick Memorial Appeal, a part of the African Wildlife Project, became the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, an independent non-profit organisation. [3] The organisation re-branded their name and logo on 1 February 2019, changing their name from the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in order to honour both David and Daphne. [4]

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust raises orphaned baby elephants and integrates them back in the wild. The trust is a leader in conservation efforts to help save the remaining African elephant populations in grave danger from the illegal ivory trade. [5] The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's Elephant Orphanage is located in Nairobi National Park and is open to the public for one hour every day. [6]

Programs and projects

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust operates a digital foster program which allows individuals to support their field projects by fostering an orphaned elephant, rhino or giraffe in their care. [7]

The Nairobi nursery and Ithumba unit (2013) Ivory Orphans of Kenya 2013 (14908373285).jpg
The Nairobi nursery and Ithumba unit (2013)

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust travels throughout Kenya to rescue orphaned African bush elephants and a south-central black rhinoceros crash, along with other animals like giraffes, hippos and a southern white rhinoceros crash. Many of the orphaned animals rescued are victims of poaching and human-wildlife conflict. [8] Following rescue, orphaned animals are taken to DSWT's nursery in Nairobi National Park for rehabilitation. [9]

To combat ivory, bushmeat and rhino horn poaching, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust operates anti-poaching units in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). [10]

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust operates a specialist canine unit with three Belgian Malinois who have been trained to track and detect illegal wildlife products such as ivory, rhino horn and bush meat, as well as guns and ammunition. [11]

Supporting the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's ground efforts is an aerial unit, which takes part in security patrols and provides support to search and veterinary intervention for injured elephants and wildlife, as well as search-and-rescue operations for orphaned elephant calves and wildlife emergencies. [10]

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust operates four mobile veterinary units and a Sky Vet initiative headed by Kenya Wildlife Service Vets to alleviate the suffering of injured wild animals. The Tsavo mobile veterinary unit, based at the KWS headquarters in Voi, covers an extensive area, including the greater Tsavo Conservation Area as well as the Chyulu Hills National Park and the Shimba Hills National Reserve. [12] The Mara mobile veterinary unit covers the Masai Mara National Reserve, the adjacent Mara Triangle, neighbouring community areas, as well as the Lake Naivasha and Nakuru areas within the Rift Valley; when needed, the unit also operates as far west as Ruma National Park and Lake Victoria. [12] The Meru mobile veterinary unit operates out of Meru National Park and provides permanent veterinary support to the larger Meru ecosystem consisting of Meru National Park, Bisanadi National Park and Kora National Reserve, including all wildlife dispersal areas around the Eastern Conservation Area, whilst also extending its services into additional parks and reserves in the Northern Conservation Area. [12] The Amboseli mobile veterinary unit operates out of Amboseli National Park and services the Southern Conservation Area encompassing Kajiado, Namanga, Magadi, Lake Natron as well as the Southern Tsavo West area including Lake Jipe, an ecosystem famous for large number of elephants. [12] The Sky Vet initiative funds and coordinates the deployment of KWS vets to emergency wildlife cases throughout Kenya by air and is a vital addition to the DSWT's veterinary program. Between Sky Vets and the four units, over 1,500 wild elephants have been assisted and the lives of countless other species have been saved. [13]

With agriculture and human settlement encroaching into wildlife habitats, disrupting migratory routes and protected boundaries, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has been erecting and maintaining hundreds of kilometres of fencelines to limit this growing conflict over natural resources. [14]

With limited rainfall in the arid Tsavo Conservation Area, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has built fourteen boreholes and windmills to enhance the dry season productivity, as well as instigating temporary water-relief programs to relieve suffering. [15]

In partnership with the Kenya Forest Service, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has embarked on conserving and sustaining the environment in the Kibwezi Forest. The forest is one of Kenya's last remaining groundwater woodlands. [16]

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust also operates a community outreach project, working to improve the livelihoods and educational standards of people living along the borders of Kenya's National Parks and protected areas through the introduction of community initiatives and local employment. [17]

Related Research Articles

Tsavo East National Park is a national park in Kenya with an area of 13,747 km2 (5,308 sq mi). It was established in April 1948 and covers a semi-arid area previously known as the Taru Desert. Together with the Tsavo West National Park, it forms an area of about 22,000 square kilometers. The Tsavo River flows west to east through the national park, which is located in the Taita-Taveta County of the former Coast Province.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hirola</span> Species of antelope

The hirola, also called the Hunter's hartebeest or Hunter's antelope, is a critically endangered antelope species found as of now, only in Kenya along the border of Somalia. It was first described by the big game hunter and zoologist H.C.V. Hunter in 1888. It is the only living member of the genus Beatragus, though other species are known from the fossil record. The global hirola population is estimated at 300–500 animals and there are none in captivity. According to a document produced by the International Union for Conservation of Nature "the loss of the hirola would be the first extinction of a mammalian genus on mainland Africa in modern human history".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nairobi National Park</span> First national park in Kenya, Africa

Nairobi National Park is a national park in Kenya that was established in 1946 about 7 km (4.3 mi) south of Nairobi. It is fenced on three sides, whereas the open southern boundary allows migrating wildlife to move between the park and the adjacent Kitengela plains. Herbivores gather in the park during the dry season. Nairobi National Park is negatively affected by increasing human and livestock populations, changing land use and poaching of wildlife. Despite its proximity to the city and its relative small size, it boasts a large and varied wildlife population, and is one of Kenya's most successful rhinoceros sanctuaries.

The Born Free Foundation is an international wildlife charity that campaigns to "Keep Wildlife in the Wild". It protects wild animals in their natural habitat, campaigns against the keeping of wild animals in captivity and rescues wild animals in need. It also promotes compassionate conservation, which takes into account the welfare of individual animals in conservation initiatives. Born Free also creates and provides educational materials and activities that reflect the charity's values.

Meru National Park is a Kenyan national park located east of Meru, 350 km (220 mi) from Nairobi. Covering an area of 870 km2 (340 sq mi), it is one best known national parks in Kenya. Rainfall in this area is abundant with 635–762 mm (25.0–30.0 in) in the west of the park and 305–356 mm (12.0–14.0 in) in the east. The rainfall results in tall grass and lush swamps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Fund for Animal Welfare</span> Non-profit US organization

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is one of the largest animal welfare and conservation charities in the world. The organization works to rescue individual animals, safeguard populations, preserve habitat, and advocate for greater protections. Brian Davies founded IFAW. IFAW was instrumental in ending the commercial seal hunt in Canada. In 1983 Europe banned all whitecoat harp seals products. This ban helped save over 1 million seals. IFAW operates in over 40 countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daphne Sheldrick</span> Kenya-based British author, conservationist and expert in animal husbandry (1934–2018)

Dame Daphne Marjorie Sheldrick, was a Kenyan of British descent, author, conservationist and expert in animal husbandry, particularly the raising and reintegrating of orphaned elephants into the wild for over 30 years. She was the founder of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenya Wildlife Service</span>

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is a state corporation under the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife established by an act of Parliament; Wildlife Conservation and Management Act CAP 376, of 1989, now repealed and replaced by the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013. At independence, the Government of Kenya committed itself to conserving wildlife for posterity with all the means at its disposal, including the places animals lived, forests and water catchment areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildlife of Kenya</span>

The wildlife of Kenya refers to its fauna. The diversity of Kenya's wildlife has garnered international fame, especially for its populations of large mammals. Mammal species include lion, cheetah hippopotamus, African buffalo, wildebeest (Connochaetes), African bush elephant, zebra (Equus), giraffe (Giraffa), and rhinoceros. Kenya has a very diverse population of birds, including flamingo and common ostrich.

Tsavo West National Park is located in Taita-Taveta County of Kenya. The park covers an area of 9,065 square kilometres. The A109 road Nairobi-Mombasa and a railway divides it from the adjoining Tsavo East National Park. Together with adjoining ranches and protected areas, they comprise the Tsavo Conservation Area. Tsavo West is a more popular destination due to its magnificent scenery and the Mzima Springs, the rich and varied wildlife, a good road system, a rhino reserve, rock climbing potential and guided walks along the Tsavo River. The park is operated by Kenya Wildlife Service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tourism in Kenya</span>

Tourism in Kenya is Kenya's third largest source of foreign exchange revenue, following diaspora remittances and agriculture. The Kenya Tourism Board is responsible for maintaining information about tourism in Kenya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chyulu Hills</span> Mountain range in Kenya

The Chyulu Hills is a mountain range in Makueni County in southeastern Kenya. It forms a 100-kilometre-long volcanic field in an elongated northeast–southwest direction. Its highest peak is 2,188 metres high.

Cynthia Jane Moss is an American ethologist and conservationist, wildlife researcher, and writer. Her studies have concentrated on the demography, behavior, social organization, and population dynamics of the African elephants of Amboseli. She is the director of the Amboseli Elephant Research Project, and is the program director and trustee for the Amboseli Trust for Elephants (ATE).

Major David Leslie William Sheldrick, MBE was a Kenyan farmer and park warden, in memory of whom the eponymous David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) was created by his widow, Daphne in Nairobi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Elephant Foundation</span>

The International Elephant Foundation (IEF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. Formed by individuals and institutions, IEF is dedicated to the conservation of African and Asian elephants worldwide.

Jim Justus Nyamu, of Nairobi, Kenya, is an elephant research scientist and activist against poaching and trade in ivory. Nyamu is the executive director at the Elephant Neighbors Center (ENC) and is leader of the movement, Ivory Belongs to Elephants. He has also held positions at the African Conservation Centre and Kenya Wildlife Service. The ENC is a grass-roots collaborative and participatory research organization focused on enhancing the capacity of communities living with wildlife to promote interlinkages between species and their habitats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Satao (elephant)</span> Large African elephant in Kenya

Satao was one of Kenya's largest African elephants. He was known as a tusker because his tusks were so long that they almost touched the ground. The Tsavo Trust announced that Satao was killed by poachers using a poisoned arrow on 30 May 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tsavo Trust</span>

The Tsavo Trust is a non-profit wildlife conservation organisation, which covers Tsavo East National Park, Tsavo West National Park, and Chyulu Hills National Park in Kenya. The trust was founded by Nzioki Wa Makau and Richard Moller who is chief executive officer and an experienced bush pilot. The stated aim of the trust is the protection of wildlife, especially African elephants, and the reduction of the ivory trade. In June 2014, the Tsavo Trust came into the international spotlight when it announced the death of Kenya's iconic and most well-known elephant, Satao, killed by an ivory poacher with a poisoned arrow.

The Tsavo Conservation Area is a complex of protected and other wildlife areas in southern Kenya and north-eastern Tanzania. It is composed of Tsavo East National Park, Tsavo West National Park, Chyulu Hills National Park, South Kitui National Reserve, ranches in Galana, Taita, Kulalu and Amboseli and adjacent private and communal lands. Bordering Mkomazi National Park in Tanzania, the Tsavo Conservation Area comprises an area of around 42,000 km2, of which over 25,000 km2 is protected. The protected portion in Kenya represent almost half of the country's protected areas.

References

  1. ↑ "About the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: A Haven for Elephants and Rhinos".
  2. ↑ Sheldrick, Daphne (2012). Love, Life, and Elephants: An African Love Story. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. p. 231. ISBN   978-0-374-10457-3.
  3. ↑ Sheldrick, Daphne (2012). Love, Life, and Elephants: An African Love Story. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. p. 268. ISBN   978-0-374-10457-3.
  4. ↑ "Unveiling our new logo". Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. February 1, 2019. Retrieved 2019-11-13.
  5. ↑ Ulrich-Verderber, Liesl (July 21, 2019). "Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Orphaned Elephants". Ever Widening Circles.
  6. ↑ "The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust - FAQ". Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
  7. ↑ Trust, David Sheldrick Wildlife. "Adopt an Elephant Orphan - David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust". Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
  8. ↑ "DSWT Overview Brochure". issuu . Retrieved 2017-03-31.
  9. ↑ "Raising Elephant Orphans". Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
  10. 1 2 "DSWT Overview Brochure". issuu. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
  11. ↑ "The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Updates". Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "The Mobile Veterinary Unit in Kenya - The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust". Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
  13. ↑ "Sky Vets - The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust". Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
  14. ↑ "2016 Newsletter - The David Sheldrick Wildlife trust". Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
  15. ↑ "The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust - World Water Day". Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
  16. ↑ "Elephants and Rhino Conservation". Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
  17. ↑ ""The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: A Haven for Elephants and Rhinos"". Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 2017-03-31.

See also

References

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