Explainer: The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Orphan's Project
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On Thursday, NBC's Nightly News features a baby elephant orphanage in Kenya, where wild animals that have been victims of ivory poaching are cared for-- thanks in part to a special foster program that's part of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Producer Marisa Buchanan and correspondent Maria Menounos spent some time with the baby elephants—check out their photo gallery here.
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Sheldrick Trust Wildlife Fund
The Sheldrick Trust raises and feeds infant elephants until they are around three years of age, when they are released in groups into Kenya's Tsavo National Park and sheltered by elephant families.
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Good morning
There is a ritual each morning piling on top of each other as they lazily say good morning. They stretch and bump into each other before being ushered out to the bush with their keepers.
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Feeding time
The baby elephants are fed every three hours. The milk was developed by Dame Daphne Sheldrick after extensive research. Elephant milk cannot include cow's milk.
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Feeding time
The keepers wean the babies off of the milk over three years, slowly incorporating leaves into their diet. They have to be self sufficient before the release them back into the wild to rejoin other elephant families.
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Playtime
Playtime starts early and lasts all day at the Nairobi Nursury of the Sheldrick Trust. The infants have to get used to the keepers and each other so when they are released back in the wild they can rely on one another.
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Come closer
NBC Cameraman Andrew Scritchfield attracted quite a bit of attention at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
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Hold it right there
So many of these elephants have to get used to humans helping them as many have bad memories of their mother's death by human conflict and poaching.
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Zooming in
NBC Cameraman Andrew Scritchfield moves in for a close-up shot of his willing subject.
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Charged by a BABY elephant
NBC Nightly News producer Marisa Buchanan became a moving target when she attempted to kneel down next to the three week old Wasin for a picture. He won.
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Warm fuzzy
Blankets are very important to raising the elephants according to the team at DSWT. They mimic the feel of the mother and make it easier for them to feel comfortable while feeding. Another important discovery by founder Dame Daphne Sheldrick.
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Playtime
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Fast friends
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