I witnessed bonds between human and elephant that brought healing to these vulnerable giants, that helped to ease their pain and which taught them to trust again. I witnessed a great patience from both animal and keeper. We observed a relationship which grew in the face of adversity and was strong enough to encourage the orphans to start interacting with human strangers
Elephants are one of nature’s greatest, but most gentle giants. As humans we show an incredible lack of respect to these great mammals, failing to recognise their majesty and grace. Poachers, drought and man-made boundaries are threatening the lives of these amazing creatures. It’s heartbreaking to think how some people can stand in front of these giants, stare past the long beautiful eyelashes into their tiny glassy eyes and think of them nothing more than a trophy that’s there for the taking. Through trips to Kenya, I’ve had the incredible experience of spending time with elephants both in the wild and at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's Nairobi orphanage. It’s impossible for your heart not to break as your orphaned elephant grabs your finger with his trunk and looks into your eyes with a trust he’s only just beginning to understand. You cannot fail to shed a tear as you witness a new orphan being brought into the orphanage, scared, shaking and crying.
A cheeky trunk in search of water appears through the wooden trunks delimiting the pens at the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Nairobi, Kenya
