Nairobi Elephant Orphanage

As we rushed around Nairobi today, we made time to stop at the Elephant Orphanage. Here is a picture from my phone of the orphaned elephants along with some of the KWS staff.

The orphanage is run by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. We had a chance to talk to Daphne Sheldrick a bit about her efforts and research in the area. Daphne established the trust after David passed away in the 1970s. Daphne, "was the first person in the entire world to successfully hand rear newborn fully milk dependent African Elephant orphans." As you can imagine, she was not too happy with the recent UN decision to allow the sell of Elephant Ivory. Read these:
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Four African Countries to Sell Ivory, China Permitted to Buy

GENEVA, Switzerland, July 15, 2008 (ENS) - Four southern African countries have been approved to sell a total of 108 metric tonnes of government owned elephant ivory as a one-time exception to the international moratorium on ivory sales that has been in place since 1989 to protect these endangered animals from poachers.

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Chinese trio arrested with elephant tusks Story by NATION Reporter Publication Date: 7/16/2008
Three Chinese nationals have been arrested in Nairobi while trying to smuggle out processed ivory through the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, authorities say.