Rescuing orphaned baby elephants in Kenya - in pictures

To mark World Elephant Day, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has released behind-the-scenes pictures of efforts to save orphaned baby elephants in Africa, where up to 35,000 animals are killed for their tusks each year.

As elephant populations suffer losses from poaching, habitat destruction and human conflict, the charity travels across Kenya to treat injured adults and care for orphaned infants at its nursery.

The images offer a unique view of the trials and tribulations to reach and then transport often fragile babies who are often poaching victims and have witnessed considerable trauma.

  • Orphaned baby elephants at the David Sheldrick elephant orphanage, Nairobi national park, Kenya. Photograph: Simon Maina/AFP/Getty Images
    This picture taken on August 12, 2014, during the World elephant day, shows orphan baby elephants at the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, at the Nairobi National Park, in Nairobi.

  • A team of elephant carers loads a young animal onto a stretcher so it can be taken by plane to the orphanage. Photograph: Courtesy of DSWT
    A team of elephant carers carry the orphaned baby by stretcher so it can loaded onto the aircraft and taken to The DSWT

  • Malnourished and wounded, emergency treatment is provided at the scene of the rescue. Photograph: Courtesy of DSWT
    Malnourished and wounded, emergency treatment is provided at the scene of the rescue

  • An elephant with a leg wound is prepared for an X-ray. Photograph: Courtesy of DSWT
    An elephant with a leg wound is prepared for an x-ray of its injured foot

  • A team transports an elephant in northern Kenya. They will undertake a rescue when elephants are orphaned by poaching, habitat destruction and human conflict; they are often malnourished, dehydrated and weak and can have a multitude of injuries caused by bullets, snares, machetes and even spears. Photograph: Courtesy of DSWT
    A team transfer an elephant in Northern Kenya. They will undertake a rescue when elephants are orphaned by poaching, habitat destruction and human conflict; they are often malnourished, dehydrated and weak and can have a multitude of injuries caused by bullets, snares, machetes and even spears.

  • Natumi, four weeks old, being walked by keepers. The first few weeks after a rescue are critical. Many orphans arrive extremely weak, emaciated and in a state of shock. Photograph: Gerry Ellis/Corbis
    Natumi, four weeks old, walked by keepers, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The first few weeks after a rescue are critical, many orphans arrive extremely weak, emaciated and in a state of shock.

  • Wasin is approximately two weeks old. Carers replicate an orphaned elephant’s lost family with a human equivalent, providing 24-hour care. This includes regular milk feeds, travelling with them as a group during the day and sleeping in a stable with them at night to provide reassurance. Photograph: Michael Nichols/NG/Corbis
    Wasin is approximately 2 weeks old and was rescued from community land outside of Lewa in Lakiapia (on the slopes of Mount Kenya).

  • Depending on where an orphaned elephant is found, an aeroplane is usually needs to be chartered to move the elephant to the nursery. Photograph: Courtesy of DSWT
    Depending on where an orphaned elephant is found, an aeroplane is usually needs to be chartered to move the elephant to the Nursery.j

  • An rescued elephant’s trunk. Trapped in a man-made well, this orphan had been attacked by predators during the night before it was spotted and rescued. Photograph: Courtesy of DSWT
    An rescued elephant’s trunk; trapped in a manmade well, this orphan had been attacked by predators during the night before it was spotted and rescued.

  • Wasin is approximately two weeks old. For the youngest of rescues, blankets serve to mimic a mother elephant’s undercarriage during milk feeds. Several young elephants will not feed without their blankets which provide a sense of security and comfort. Photograph: Michael Nichols/NG/Corbis
    Wasin is approximately 2 weeks old . For the youngest of rescues, blankets serve to mimic a mother elephant’s undercarriage during milk feeds. Several young elephants will not feed without their blankets which provide a sense of security and comfort

  • Aerial surveillance ensures herds with calves can be better protected against poaching activities, and any lone elephant calves can be spotted and rescued. Photograph: Courtesy of DSWT
    Aerial Surveillance ensures herds with calves can be better protected against poaching activities, and any lone elephant calves can be spotted and rescued

  • This year the charity has rescued six orphaned elephants. Director Rob Brandford said: “In 2003, we rescued 11 orphans. Last year we rescued 48 orphans, an unusually high number and the majority victims of poaching, but even that number is likely only a fraction of those out there.” Photograph: Courtesy of DSWT
    This year the charity has rescued six orphaned elephants. Rob Brandford, Director says “In 2003, we rescued 11 orphans. Last year we rescued 48 orphans, an unusually high number and the majority victims of poaching, but even that number is likely only a fraction of those out there.”

  • Two-month-old orphaned baby elephant Ajabu is given a dust-bath in the red earth after being fed milk from a bottle by a keeper. Photograph: Ben Curtis/AP
    two-month-old orphaned baby elephant Ajabu is given a dust-bath in the red earth after being fed milk from a bottle by a keeper, as she is too young to do it herself.

  • Orphaned baby elephants play. For elephants that have witnessed their mothers being killed, the company of other elephants and being able to play is one part of essential to overcoming trauma. Photograph: Simon Maina/AFP/Getty Images
    Orphaned baby elephants playing at the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, at the Nairobi National Park. For orphaned baby elephants that have witnessed their mothers being killed, the company of other elephants and being able to play is one part of essential to overcoming trauma.

  • Orphans Edie and Imenti play. Photograph: Gerry Ellis/Corbis
    Orphan called Edie exploring Imenti an older male orphan. For orphaned baby elephants that have witnessed their mothers being killed, the company of other elephants and being able to play is one part of essential to overcoming trauma.
Topics