Haven't decided what you're going to gift your mum, dad, siblings, friends, special someone yet?
Well no need to look any further! I have the answer right here for you!
(Well OK, not the entire wildlife trust itself ... but read on and I'll explain)
Poaching has reached crisis level worldwide. And especially in Kenya where it is predicted that if it continues at its current rate, the African Elephant will be extinct in the wild in less than 10 years. And its even sooner for the Black Rhinos. (Not least because of the silly aristocrats that you'll have read about recently in the news that think its OK to slaughter 20 elephants as a birthday treat! I was so appalled when I read that! Anyway, rant over.)
2 Christmases ago, I was back home in Nairobi spending some R&R time with my family, and we went on a day trip to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage.
Everytime I visit Nairobi, I try to make it to this place, so I can witness such humanity first-hand and donate a little extra to help these wonderful people do their incredible work. And this year I'll be donating a bit more and fostering an elephant-orphan.
Have a look at a few of my snaps from the last time I visited these hungry babies at meal time!
Did someone say lunch? ... Charge!!!
Mud's good for wrinkles didn't you know?
Chug chug chug:
The DSWT was founded in 1977 by Dame Daphne Sheldrick, in honour of her late husband David Sheldrick who was a renowned conservationist and founding Warden of Tsavo East National Park, home to the majority of Kenya's elephant population.
Its mission statement reads: "The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust embraces all measures that compliment the conservation, preservation and protection of wildlife. These include anti-poaching, safe guarding the natural environment, enhancing community awareness, addressing animal welfare issues, providing veterinary assistance to animals in need, rescuing and hand rearing elephant and rhino orphans, along with other species that can ultimately enjoy a quality of life in wild terms when grown."
At the core of its work, is the world renowned Orphans' Project. Through this, the DSWT has hand-raised more than 150 baby elephants and 10 baby black rhinos and reintegrated them back into the wild. All of this has been part of the battle against the world's quickly diminishing wild elephant and rhino populations, second to the threat of poaching and loss of habitat.
Not only do they save orphaned baby elephants and rhinos from otherwise unavoidable death without their mothers, the DSWT do considerable work treating injured wild animals, habitat conservation and are hugely involved with de-snaring and anti-poaching projects too.
So enough of me praising this organisation! Watch this short clip, and it'll tell you everything you need to know.
So, for Christmas this year, forget about that extra bottle of Chanel No. 5 or that pair of shoes that you don't really need, and do something GREAT with your money...
Donate to the DSWT and be part of the fight to protect these magnificent creatures.
You can donate here.
Many thanks, and Merry Christmas/Happy Chanukah/Have a lovely festive season!
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