The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, NairobiNovember 06 2006

I’ve been to Kenya many times over the last seventeen years, but - despite it being just 16km from the hotel - I’d never visited what crew familiarly call “The Elephant Orphanage” run by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust on one edge of the nearby Nairobi National Park.

Run along stringently scientific lines and with the welfare of the animals brought to the orphanage at the heart of everything the Trust does, I had a fascinating hour (which is the maximum time the elephants are exposed to the public) dodging heavy rain-showers and watching the pony-sized elephants being fed formula from huge “baby bottles” while listening to the information being given by the accompanying rangers - who treat the young elephants wonderfully and care for them almost like their own children.

And the information given is detailed and heart-rending: conservation and preservation features in equal measure to the appalling treatment given out to one of the planet’s most sensitive animals by us humans…shameful boos to the despicable hunters and poachers, and huge applause for the remarkable efforts of the Trust to halt the slaughter of elephants for their ivory, most of which ends up in - surprise, surprise - China, or in Somalia where it’s traded to buy guns (makes you proud to be a member of Homo sapiens)…

If you get the chance to go to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, the modest entrance fee (so modest that if you don’t make an additional contribution you have no heart) is probably one of the best things you can spend your money on in the whole country (and hopefully one of the few things that the thoroughly corrupt government doesn’t get it’s greedy hands on)…

The elephants are brought down for feeding…

Elephants are wonderful animals, but I’m obviously unlikely to go anywhere in Nairobi and not keep an eye open for any birds too, and - to my surprise - I actually had a lifer at the ‘orphanage’: the rather handsome Dusky Turtle Dove Streptopelia lugens, which, after getting very excited thinking I’d had a quick view of an unusual bird I’d never see again, I eventually found was coming to a feeder (unfortunately placed in the middle of a dense bush making photography impossible) in good numbers - also at the feeder were Chestnut Weavers (which I’ve not seen for many years). Not sure how I’ve missed this dove in the past, but if I ever want to see another one I know where to go now!

Dusky Turtle Dove Streptopelia lugens

Other birds I saw at the ‘orphanage’ included both Heuglin’s and Cape Robin-chats, plenty of Red-billed Firefinches and Red-cheeked Cordon-bleus, non-breeding plumaged Pin-tailed Wydahs, Streaky Seedeaters, and various hirundines.

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust:
Begun shortly after the death of the remarkable conservationist David Sheldrick in 1977, the Trust that bears his name does fantastic work protecting Africa’s dwindling rhinos and elephants, running anti-snare units, and funding anti-poaching patrols. Its HQ is easily reached by a 20 minute taxi ride form Nairobi city centre - most hotel-based cabs will know how to get there and back without any trouble. Note that the Trust is only open to visitors between 11:00 am and Noon.

The Trust depends heavily on donations and on visitors buying souvenirs etc - so please take some extra money when you go and be prepared to leave it in the Trust’s capable hands!

“Every person that buys ivory has killed an elephant and its dependent young
and has caused immeasurable sorrow and suffering to many others.”
Dr Dame Daphne Sheldrick MBE, MBS