Elephants

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust USA

News from The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust USA | August 2018 Shukuru graduates Shukuru was rescued from a manhole when she was just three days old, and that was just the beginning of her journey. She graduated to Ithumba in 2013 but after her health began to deteriorate from a blood parasite, DSWT made the decision to move her back to the Nursery where she could convalesce under close veterinary supervision. We're happy to report that the eight-year-old is recovering beautifully and will now be continuing her journey at our Umani Springs Reintegration Unit, which is tailored for elephants who are in a compromised condition. She is already firm friends with the rest of the herd and, with her health on the mend and good friends by her side, her future is looking very bright! READ MORE ABOUT OUR NEW GRADUATE World Elephant Day Mark your calendars for Sunday, August 12: World Elephant Day! This is a day dedicated to celebrating this remarkable species and working together to ensure their futures. Ivory poachers kill upwards of 55 African elephants each day and today, only 400,000 remain on the continent -- down from an estimated 5 million a century ago. The DSWT rescues and raises the orphans left behind, and works across Kenya to mitigate threats to elephant populations. Want to make a big difference this World Elephant Day? Make a donation to DSWT USA! Together, we can create a brighter future for Africa's elephants.   DONATE FOR WORLD ELEPHANT DAY Helping 2,362 injured elephants -- and counting In our 18 years of working with the KWS, DSWT-funded veterinary units have lent a helping hand to 2,362 injured elephants. One of our more recent patients was this 45-year-old elephant, who had been struck with two poisoned arrows. Daphne's grandson, Taru, first spotted him during an aerial patrol of Tsavo, and set the wheels in motion for an emergency treatment. Although his wounds were serious, the team was able to attend to them before they caused irreparable harm. We foresee many more years of roaming for this majestic bull! READ MORE ABOUT THE OPERATION Elephants in the classroom Summer is flying by and a new school year is just around the corner. Are you interested in bringing elephant and wildlife conservation to your classroom or school club? Allow us to help!  The DSWT Education Program is a perfect fit for classrooms, school assemblies, charity clubs, and more. Our colorful presentations come with a full array of teaching materials, classroom activities, and fundraising ideas. Use this interactive program to open students' eyes to the natural wonders of Africa and foster the next generation of wildlife conservationists. EMAIL US RE: EDUCATION INITIATIVES Soludos x DSWT Want to help elephants with every step? Now you can! Our friends at Soludos have created two beautiful styles of elephant-themed espadrilles, and 10% of proceeds from each sale is donated to the DSWT. SHOP: SOLUDOS x DSWT  DSWT hats Our baseball caps are back in stock... but they won't be for long! Tip your hat to the elephants with this official DSWT number. Best of all, all proceeds from your purchase will help us save more elephants in Kenya.  SHOP:DSWT HATS In case you missed it... With over 80 orphaned elephants dependent on our care -- not to mention field teams working across Kenya -- things happen in a blink-and-you-miss-it fashion at the DSWT. Here are a few highlights: The Voi graduates are thriving: Mbegu, Ndotto, Lasayen, Murit, Godoma, and Ngilai made the big move from the Nursery to our Voi Reintegration Unit back in June -- and they are thriving in their new home! Mbegu (pictured here) is as much of a mini matriarch as ever, and while the sextet remains a little squad, they are also making lots of new friends and integrating well with the rest of the herd. Read more. Combatting poaching in the Mau Forest: The DSWT recently partnered with the Mara Elephant Project to establish a new ranger force to patrol the Mau Forest, where poaching and other illegal activities had been taking their toll on the area's wildlife. With the support of KWS Rangers, the Mau De-Snaring Unit has already made a big impact on the ground. Some of its most recent successes include gathering intelligence that led to the arrest of three suspected ivory poachers, the seizure of over 80 pounds of ivory, the arrest of two bushmeat poachers, and the removal of countless snares. Read more. The 2017 figures are in: Last year, DSWT USA granted over $4.6 million to the DSWT -- with more than 91 cents of every dollar supporting its six key conservation programs. In the DSWT USA 2017 Contributors Report, see your dollars at work and discover the difference they make. From covering 12 months' worth of Keepers' salaries to funding four rhino monitoring units, support from the US is helping the DSWT save more wildlife and secure more wild spaces every day. Read more. Picture of the month: Sliding into the mud bath is easy enough but, as Sagala demonstrates, getting out gracefully is more of a trick! The carefree calf we see today is a far cry from the emaciated elephant who was rescued at the height of last year's drought. The support of foster parents around the world helps the DSWT rescue and raise more orphaned elephants like Sagala.  JOIN OUR FOSTER FAMILY