Supporting Kenya’s orphaned elephants one story at a time.
The Ele-tee is more than a just a t-shirt.
It unlocks a short film written by a celebrated children's author, animated by an Academy Award-winning production company and narrated by Kate Upton.
Garzi the Orphan is the story of one brave little elephant and his ele-friends.
At the heart of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s conservation activities is the Orphans’ Project, which has achieved world-wide acclaim through its hugely successful elephant rescue and rehabilitation program.
Orphans successfully raised
Babies born to wild living orphans
Orphans currently in our care
A victim of the worsening climate crisis, Emoli was found alone, weak and starving on the Voi river circuit. It is likely that his mother died after becoming too weak to find food during a prolonged drought at the time.
Rescued at just 18 months old, Garzi was found all alone on the banks of the Athi River. Not far from where he was found and rescued, a poaching hideout was discovered containing poison arrows and other equipment.
Swahili for heat, Jotto was found stuck in a well during the hottest month of the year. So young he didn't even have teeth yet, Jotto would've surely died had he not been found by local herdsmen and brought to the Sheldrick Trust.
Unable to keep up with her herd because of her weak limbs, Kamok was unable to keep up with her herd and abandoned. When Kamok was found, her umbilical cord was still attached, meaning she was still very much a newborn.
Arriving at the Trust with her umbilical cord still attached, it is likely that Wendi's mother was disturbed during childbirth, causing her to abandon her baby. Thriving in the Trust's care, Wendi has gone wild and since mothered her own calf, Wiva.
We rescue and hand-raise infant elephants orphaned due to poaching, human-wildlife conflict, drought and more. We provide them the specialist care and love they need to thrive, so that they can enjoy a life in the wild when grown.