Rolling carelessly in the mud in the world, poking out from under a blanket and kicking around with a ball: it’s all play, and it doesn’t matter to these adorable baby African elephants.
But all is not what it seems, as every single elephant is an orphan and one of the 101 rescued by the Nairobi-based David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust since 2001.
Many of their mothers were ki.ll.ed by p.oac.hers or fell victim to angry farmers. A baby, Ndotto, had to be rescued after getting mixed up with livestock owned by Samburu herders and following them back to their village.
Baby elephant Kamok peeps out at the camera from beneath her comfort blanket. The youngest elephants have blankets to remind them of their mothersAnd relax! Baby Kauro flops out on the ground as she prepares to take a break. The youngest orphans often take naps throughout the daySleepy: A pair of adorable baby elephants conk out in their mud pool during a day of play at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Nairobi nurseryFamily day out: Ashaka, Kamok, Kauro, and Mbegu are taken out into the bush in Nairobi National Park for a day of play with their human surrogate parents
Thirsty work: Baby Ashaka is given a lesson in how her trunk works. Adult elephants would usually do this but for orphans like Ashaka, humans have to step in
However, despite the traumatic first months of life, orphans are just as playful and curious as other children, so their human ‘family’ is very busy.
Released to mark World Elephant Day, the snaps reveal that each pint-sized pachyderm has its own personality, quirky personality, and traits and can be playful, shy, or boisterous.
Among the more timid children was seven-week-old Mbegu, rescued after being at.ta.cked with stones and spears by villagers, furious after a local woman was ki.ll.ed by an adult elephant.
In the fi.gh.ting that ensued, Mbegu was separated from the herd and saved only after a group of rangers from Naibunga Conservation placed themselves between the angry mob and the calf.
Future star: Tiny orphaned elephant calf Ashaka learns some fancy footwork courtesy of a football in the nursery at Nairobi National Park in KenyaClose: Ashaka and Kamok cuddle up in the sand under the watchful eye of their surrogate parents at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust nursery in Nairobi National ParkA cuddle with my dad! One of the youngest elephants at the orphanage snuggles up to his keeper. The smallest orphans often seek comfort this way
Sharing is caring! Baby Ashaka (left) fends off an attempt to pinch her stick while little Kamok (right) is a bit wobbly as she attempts to navigate a downhill slopeMessy boy! Baby elephant Kudup hasn’t quite got the hang of using his trunk to drink and ends up with his face in the mudBend it like Beckham! Baby elephants Lemoyian, Arruba, and Barsilinga indulge in a very muddy game of football in Nairobi National ParkOrphan: Baby Mbegu (left) stands with her friend Kauro. She was rescued from a horde of angry villagers by a group of rangers who protected her
Taken to a charity elephant orphanage in Nairobi National Park, the calf has recovered from the ordeal and will grow up in the care of custodians until it is old enough to return to the wild.
Rob Brandford, director of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, said: ‘Every orphan has its own tragic rescue story, but their struggle for survival and passion for life is contagious. ‘Mbegu was saved at a very young age, so she really cared about her caregivers and loved sucking their thumbs for comfort.”
Along with Mbegu in Nairobi National Park is Barsilinga, who got a tragic start after his mother was shot by p.oac.hers. Severely in.jur.ed, the female elephant had to be put to sleep, while her baby elephant was taken to an orphanage.
Brandford added: “Sadly, Africa’s elephants are being threatened by po.ac.hers for their tusks. However, when he is old enough, Barsilinga and his best friend, Kithaka, will be moved to Tsavo National Park.
For now, however, his days, like human babies, are a whirlwind of playing, cuddling, and bottle-feeding. Brandford said: ‘Every elephant rescued and cared for by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is orphaned.
“But now they have a new herd in the form of our unusual human-elephant family.”
Tiny: Little Tundani is one of the smallest elephants at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Nairobi National Park orphanageBest friends: Suguta, Kibo, and Nchan like to spend their days playing together and will eventually live as a herd in Tsavo National Park when they grow upPlaytime: Older orphans at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Ithumba orphanage get a lesson on how to live life in the wildTime to get up! Playful Sities attempts to lever her somnolent friend Kainuk out of a muddy pool for a game but without successPile up! Adorable baby elephants Naipoki and Mutara indulge in a spot of heavyweight wrestling during playtime in the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Nairobi nurseryCuddle: Naipoki, Vuria, and Kihari indulge in some mutual back-scratching as they relax in the beautiful Nairobi National Park in KenyaBottom scratch! Adorable little orphaned elephant Rorogoi takes care of an itch with the help of a conveniently placed tree in Nairobi National ParkBath time! Little orphan elephant Orwa scratches an itch on a convenient tree during a relaxed moment in Nairobi National Park
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