World Elephant Day is a time to celebrate nature’s most remarkable creatures and reaffirm our commitment to them.
Elephant conservation is not the work of a moment, but a monumental, multi-generational commitment. With health and luck on its side, an elephant can live well into its sixties or even seventies. When we look upon a newly rescued orphan, we must remember that we are seeing a creature whose own offspring will walk this earth a century or more into the future.
It is incumbent upon us to build a sustainable future for the elephants of today and the generations who will follow in their footsteps. The stakes are high: Following decades of population decline, African elephants have now been classified as endangered species. Assessments show that the number of African savanna elephants decreased by at least 60 percent over the last 50 years.
Humans may pose the single greatest threat to elephants, but we can also be the architects of their future. Across Kenya and around the world, we are inspired to see how people are taking action for elephants.
We currently have over 100 orphaned elephants dependent on our care, plus 200 more living wild. These elephants are alive today because ordinary people stepped up to save them. Each of our orphan’s stories begins with a hero — a ranger of a farmer, a guide or even a child — who raised the alarm and protected them from harm.
When an orphan arrives in our care, their new family steps in: The Keepers who will serve as their surrogate parents for the next several years, guiding them by day and sleeping alongside them by night. Untold hours, thousands of milk bottles, and boundless amounts of love are poured into each and every orphaned elephant.
These orphans will go on to reclaim their place in the wild, where they will have their own babies and grandbabies — creating dynasties in the process. All the while, their human family will be looking after them: The SWT pilots, rangers, veterinarians, and field teams who ensure they have a protected habitat to call home, and who give them help when they need it.
This monumental mission is made possible thanks to supporters like you, who fund our conservation work and ensure elephants always have a place on our planet.
As this beautiful film reminds us, the conservation work you empower matters. It has given generations of elephants a future — elephants who would never have survived, had we not stepped in. This includes not just the orphans we rescue and raise, but bulls treated by our vet teams, herds whose homes have been secured, families who have been reunited. With the support of donors like you, we are building a future for elephants across Kenya. Thank you.
Ways to support this World Elephant Day:
Adopt an orphan: Raising an orphaned elephant is a multi-year, round-the-clock commitment. By adopting, you help fund the 24/7 specialist care they require and support their journey back to the wild. If you are looking for an orphan to adopt, might we suggest little Korbessa, who just joined our foster program!
Donate to our conservation work: Every single dollar makes a difference. We work across Kenya to secure vulnerable habitats, protect wildlife, and support the communities who live alongside them. Your donations allow our teams to be out in the field every single day, saving wild lives.
Visit us in Kenya: Experience our beautiful country and meet the orphaned elephants in our care! By choosing Kenya as your next safari destination, you put your support behind a country that sets the gold standard for elephant conservation.
Shop to support: Our online shops offer thoughtfully curated collections for Sheldrick Wildlife Trust fans. From SWT-branded apparel to a made-in-Kenya capsule, we have something for every elephant lover. 100% of profits from the shop are directed back to the Trust's conservation work in Kenya.
Spread the word: The voices of our global community are powerful, creating awareness about the threats facing elephants and driving support for our conservation work. You can help expand our reach by amplifying our posts on social media (@sheldricktrust), hosting a fundraiser, becoming an education ambassador, and more.
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