Lady Keely Archer

Today, our quiet girls were having a pool party! Akina is a reserved elephant by nature, but the mud bath is her time to shine. She loves water and she loves to show off in it. In fact, we often find her loitering around the pool, just waiting for the other orphans to vacate so she can have it all to herself. As the herd headed into the bush this afternoon, Akina noticed Rokka lagging behind in the water. She about-turned to join her friend, and the two girls enjoyed a splashy show-off session. The Keepers enjoyed the spectacle! Every elephant seen here is an orphan. While each suffered a unique tragedy, they found a family with us – one that will continue to love and support them through their lives. Meet the herd: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans

Nasalot arrives at Ithumba twice a day. She has done so, reliably, throughout February – arriving with Nala close at her side, drinking from the trough, spending time with the herd, and heading back out into Tsavo. Why? Because the bonds we forged with Nasalot when she was an orphaned baby have lasted long into adulthood. She was just three months old when she lost her own family to poachers. She came to us traumatised and distraught, pacing her stable through the night, unable to sleep, unable to settle. But time heals all wounds – and she became one of the most nurturing elephants in the Ithumba herd. And now she arrives each morning with a daughter of her own to share with us. Meet Nasalot: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/nasalot

We've mentioned Rokka's touching friendship with Serenget before. Even when browsing (by the way, check out all that lush grass!), these two are sharing affection while munching on their veggies. Given how daunting it must have been for Serenget – healing from her bullet wound, then joining the Voi herd – we're so pleased she has found "her person" in Rokka. Every morning, Rokka finds Serenget first. She stays close all day, checks on her constantly, and positions herself between Serenget and any roughhousing. A bullet wound to the leg, seven months of recovery, and now – her own elephant family. Serenget's journey is just beginning. Discover it right from the start: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/sereng…

When Serenget refused milk, we knew we had to help her consume enough nutrients to continue her healing journey (our little survivor was shot in the leg before her rescue). Enter: Lucerne. A nutrient-rich source of protein that this brave girl happens to love – both to eat, and to wear as a crown! Given her story, it's the least our little queen deserves: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/sereng…

Baby elephant first watermelon lesson with mom

Enjoy 49 seconds of peace and come with us on a wildlife walk with the Umani herd. If our ex-orphans choose to pay us a visit, we can have a very full house at Umani. On this morning, the herd headed out into the Kibwezi Forest — one of Kenya's last remaining groundwater woodlands, lush and sheltered year-round. How many of the herd can you name? Follow our Umani family: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans

Join Kaikai for a 57 seconds spa session. Our pampered princess is never without her dedicated Keepers, who take turns to sleep in her stable at night, hand-feed her bottles of milk, play with her and coat her in a protective layer of mud. Adoptions help fund this specialist care, and will continue to do so until she is old enough to return to the wild. Discover how you can become an adopter and make a difference to orphaned elephants: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans

@PuppyNumber7 I remember that day too my darling *looks up demurely from her golden lash fringed brown eyes* xxxxxxxxxxxxx

@AngelKeely I remember when u first woofed to me, darling .. your soft voice 'n twinkling eyes instantly captured my heart xxxxxxxxxxx #Soulmates

Baby elephant taking a bath 🐘

What a dream to sing a baby elephant to sleep...❤️

Baby elephants don’t just sleep near their moms… they hold onto them 🐘

An orphan baby learns how to drink by herself 🎥 Sheldricktrust, Instagram

Little Serenget went through a terrible ordeal. Shot in the leg before her rescue – we suspect in the course of human-wildlife conflict – she was left with a grievous injury that took the better part of a year to heal. To watch her today, in the centre of the mud bath, happy as larry as she frolics about and even does a little showboating of her own, we know she has a brighter future ahead of her. She's already found the love of a new family; now a wild life awaits her too. Find out how you can adopt her today: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/orphans/sereng…

"They are my babies. I love them and they love me" – Keeper Peter Our Keepers are surrogate mothers in every sense – enduring long nights, fraught early days, and pouring everything into the orphans they raise. Today we honour them, our foster parents and every matriarch who cares, loves, guides, and never gives up. Happy #MothersDay to those celebrating today 💚

It's Saturday morning and you haven't bought a Mother's Day gift yet? Kaikai isn't judging – she's far too busy snuggling with her surrogate mum. Tomorrow is a day to celebrate the maternal figures in our lives: the ones that protect and guide us, and offer the comfort and reassurance we need to thrive. For orphans like Kaikai, these figures come in the form of our Keepers, who care for 'their' babies day and night. This Mother's Day, honour your matriarch by gifting the adoption of an orphaned elephant, rhino, or giraffe. It's a gift that won't wilt but instead blossoms over the year – helping fund milk, care, and the devoted attention our Keepers pour into raising each orphan. With monthly email updates, news from the Keepers, and a personalised adoption certificate, your matriarch will watch as her new family member grows up – without a single broken night's sleep. Set up your gift now (there's still time): sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/mothers-day-ad…

My favourite place and my #soulmate is all I need, ever xxxxxxxxxx

Babies will be babies 🤩🐘

@Bea_Bells Luv you Bea (hugs hugs)

My foster girl Pip is now up for adoption, she is the sweetest cuddler and loves everyone, great with other spaniels, oh and did I mention she loves a cuddle 😉 Please share to find her the very best home possible 🙏 spanielaid.co.uk/spaniel/pip-sa…