The orphanage was founded in 1977 by Daphne Sheldrick in memory of her late husband, David Sheldrick, a legendary naturalist and the founding warden of Tsavo East National Park. David Sheldrick dedicated his life to wildlife conservation, particularly the protection of elephants during a time when poaching threatened their survival across East Africa.

Drawing from decades of hands-on experience, Daphne Sheldrick developed the first successful milk formula capable of sustaining orphaned baby elephants - an achievement that revolutionized elephant rescue efforts worldwide.

Round-the-Clock Care

Most elephants at the orphanage are rescued after losing their mothers to poaching, human-wildlife conflict, drought, or natural causes. These calves, often traumatized and vulnerable, are brought to the orphanage where they receive round-the-clock care from dedicated keepers who act as surrogate families.

The Rehabilitation Journey

Infants are bottle-fed specialized milk every few hours.

Keepers stay with them day and night for emotional support.

As they grow stronger, the elephants are gradually reintroduced to the wild in Tsavo.

The entire journey from rescue to full reintegration can take 8-10 years, emphasizing the Trust's commitment to long-term conservation rather than short-term solutions.

Visitors are allowed to attend the public viewing hour (11:00 am - 12:00 noon), where they can watch the baby elephants joyfully playing in mud baths, feeding from bottles, and interacting with their keepers. During this time, guides share moving stories of each elephant - how they were rescued, named, and their progress toward recovery.

This experience is both educational and emotional, offering a rare opportunity to witness conservation in action while learning about the challenges elephants face in the wild.