There are so many powerful and beautiful animals in the world; it’s almost impossible to pick a favorite.
Still, we have to admit that there’s a soft spot in our hearts for a handful of exceptional species that seem to share so many cherished qualities with humankind.
Dogs, for example, are unfailingly loyal, as we saw with the sweet pooch who waited by his friend’s side for days.
Dolphins, meanwhile, are incredibly intelligent and witty, with a sense of humor that some humans could envy.
And then, we come to elephants. They’re wise, empathetic animals that value family, bury their dead, and put their trust and faith in the leadership of the herd’s grandmother.
That’s why it’s so tragic to see the odds that these beautiful creatures are up against, and so incredibly beautiful to see people put heart and soul into giving these wonderful animals a safe place to call home.
Scroll through the gallery below to learn more about one of the most awe-inspiring elephant preserves in the world.
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is an exceptional organization.
Founded by Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick, DBE, in 1977, the organization, based in Kenya, was created in honor of Sheldrick's husband, David.
He was, as described by the DSWT website, a "famous naturalist and founding Warden of Tsavo East National Park."
Nowadays, the organization works on two fronts.
They operate as a charity back in Britain, while in Kenya, the organization runs a program called the Orphan's Project, that rehomes and integrates wild elephants orphaned by the ivory trade.
They also operate a variety of mobile veterinary units across Kenya's parks and preserves.
The field headquarters for the DSWT is in the Tsavo Conservation Area, Kenya's largest wildlife refuge.
They also work in the Kibwezi Forest, which they describe as a "biodiversity hotspot" that provides an important habitat for the African elephant.
Their most recent project is at the Amu Ranch, which comprises coastal forests where elephants, leopards, lions, and giraffes make their homes.
Over nearly 40 years as an organization, the DSWT has saved the lives of countless animals, with a particular focus on elephants and rhinos, who are often hunted for their valuable horns.
Even in nature preserves, these majestic creatures are not always safe from poachers, and the DSWT makes a particular effort to save and safeguard the juvenile and baby elephants that are orphaned by the trade.
Often, the babies and juveniles are not worth hunting, because their horns or tusks are not yet fully developed, leaving these family-oriented creatures all alone in the world.
The DSWT focuses a lot of its time and energy on creating healthy happy homes for dependent juvenile elephants, or elephant children that require lots of love and family support.
The goal with most of these animals is to rehabilitate and support them without making them too dependent on human assistance.
The hope is that one day, these elephants will be able to return to the wilder areas of the preserve and live as independent elephants.
Many of the elephants that take part in the program successfully reintegrate back into the wild.
There, they play a hugely important role in helping to preserve other smaller animals in their ecosystem.
According the DSWT Facebook page, elephants are a "keystone species," that help to support a habitat that is friendly to all native plants and animals.
Still, even as the DSWT elephants successfully reintegrate into the wild, one adage remains true: Elephants never forget.
The exceptional keepers at the main preserve in Tsavo take special pride in the fact that many of their elephants develop into herd leaders out in the wild, and some even bring their children and grandchildren back to the headquarters to meet the young orphaned animals living more closely with the keepers.
It's an exceptional legacy and we hope to see it continue flourishing for many years to come. If you agree, make sure to SHARE and spread the word about this phenomenal organization!
