A morning with our Ithumba Orphans and Head Keeper Benjamin

At 6am this morning, 7th October 2021, we were filming at our Ithumba Reintegration Unit, so that we could bring our supporters a 'pseudo live' from this remote area in Tsavo East National Park.
Kirsty joins Head Keeper Benjamin and together they introduce us to some of the 32 dependent orphans at Ithumba, as well as Mutara, a now wild-living orphan who's popped back to visit with her herd. It's a wonderful insight into what mornings look like in Ithumba, we hope you enjoy it.
You can read more about all of the Ithumba orphans at sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/it...
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Established in 1977, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) operates the world’s most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program, rescuing and hand-rearing orphaned elephants and other animals that have lost their mothers, all too often as a result of human activity. But we do much more than this. Through our Aerial, Anti-Poaching and Mobile Veterinary Units, we safeguard the natural environment and provide immediate assistance to wild animals in need. We also secure irreplaceable wilderness areas so that animals will always have space to roam and work with local partners and communities to ensure people and wildlife can live alongside one another.
More Information about the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust can be found on the website ▶ www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/
Adopt an Orphan in need ▶ www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.or...
Facebook ▶ / sheldricktrust
Twitter ▶ / sheldricktrust
Instagram ▶ / sheldricktrust

[@alixpham550]

Sheldrick Trust - PLEASE have more of these longer length vids of Ithumba, Voi and Umani Springs units showing daily life and activities of dependent orphans, semi-dependent, wild living ex-orphans & wild elephants. It's wonderful to see the elles growing up, interacting with their wild friends / kins, and eventually living wild again. It's lovely to see their deep & caring relationship with Benjamin and the other keepers, coming back to see them as well as the younger dependent orphans. It's family at its best!

[@rhonda7070]

Second that. Our nursery babies grow up and move up, so we don't get to see them much any more. Thanks much for this segment, and please do more from all your facilities. In your spare time! LOL

[@complimentary_voucher]

Absolutely. It's great to be able to see the everyday routines, the facilities, how it all works. It encourages us to donate when you can see the scale of the place and how many mouths you have to feed. Thanks again for doing this amazing work.

[@DianaBamaRN]

@@Gooberwalla I agree. Also to add my 2 cents even though no one asked for it but possibly some subtitles. The accents are all quite lovely but I have trouble understanding what is said especially if they don’t speak loudly . I know that’s a lot to ask. Sorry. Just trying to help y’all promote yourself as the very best and encourage more donations. Love to all the 🐘🐘🐘 and the humans that care for them.

[@juliansydney9819]

Agree with all of these comments (please)

[@KatzMeow268]

Also please hold your phone sideways in landscape position, so that we can see all around, not just what is right in front of you. Thank you for all you do for these magnificent beings !!!

[@treelover1050]

I LOVE HOW THE OLDER ONES WANT TO PROTECT THE SMALLER ONES.

[@MzNoir_Rain444]

A big THANK YOU to Kirsty and Benjamin for allowing us to see the morning routine! 💗💗💗

[@pattiklaus9580]

Wonderful to be priviledged to see this facility and the happy elephants living here!

[@sue2970]

Lovely to see my foster baby Dololo and good to see Dololomania still going strong. 😀 💜

[@kimskomars497]

Looks like Mutara didn’t want to say goodbye to you. Great docu-update!

[@roybarron5289]

So wonderful to see the orphans rescued so many years ago so big and strong! Such hope for the future in each beautiful face. Bless you all keepers, orphans and Administration that keeps everything run smooth.

[@emmabovary1228]

I am in awe. Listening to Benjamin soft voice I understand why the elephants have a sense of safety and care. Seeing these three groups amassed together, is the hope of the future.

[@jimbo2110]

Excellent vid Kirsty and Benjamin can't get enough of all the real stars in this video. Sheldrick "you rock"! Thanks!

[@catharinemorais8262]

These carers are the most caring and loving people I've ever seen they are so passionate about their caring for the animals at Shedrick Trust... GOD bless all of them in their daily endeavors 🙏🙏🐘🐘🐘

[@bmac5576]

Thank you, Benjamin, for speaking to us about your beautiful elephants. You and your team bring those of us far away much happiness and peace with your great compassion and expertise saving the lives of these innocent babies, as well as their species. Wonderful to hear your voice and thoughts. Please continue to enlighten us.

[@suedavis4017]

The Keepers are so sweet and loving of their elephants. Just love and appreciate them for all they do.

[@tommygustafsson7050]

This was great. I've always enjoyed your live streams from the nursery but seeing ithumba was special. I hope you'll do more of these with the other reintegration unit as well.

[@Joshua-me1wi]

Amazing how the keepers remember the names of their ellies even long after they have graduated into the wild! More blessings to you, Sheldrick Trust!🐘🐘🐘

[@christinamiller4598]

Oh I'm so happy I found this site. I LOVE ELEPHANTS.

[@sanjivroy6083]

I always enjoy the orphans daily routine whenever it is available to us

[@carriemitch1]

How exciting, a 'Live' from Ithumba!! Thanks so much!!

[@MariA-vt2bf]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful video, I am not on Instagram anymore so it’s nice to watch one of Kirsty’s walks again!😊

[@dorothywestcott2408]

I love it when I can see new DSWT videos. Thank you Benjamin for giving us a view of your mornings there. It was so nice to see some of the X orphans waiting there to go out in the bush with the orphans. Have a wonderful day to all. ❤🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘❤

[@cheryl62022]

This was fantastic!!!! Please do it more often and also do it on the other locations as well. Thank you very very much. 🥰🥰🐘🐘🐘🐘

[@sallyalbert6631]

Head Keeper Benjamin obviously his charges. I am so thankful for him and all the other keepers who keep the baby elephants safe and give them love.

[@kathyandersson2285]

Absolutely marvelous!!!! So grateful for these wonderful experiences you and your staff give to all the elephant's!! Bravo to you all!!!

[@LittleToto]

Sheldrick Trust 💪👊👍

[@priscillawatson7049]

thanks so much for sharing! so nice to see the loving interaction...I've seen other refuges using sticks to hit ...horrible to see Ellies calves being hit constantly. So glad you don't.

[@poeiabird]

I love that Esampu is still a "naughty girl". Benjamin is a saint and the rest of the staff at Sheldrick are not far behind.

[@heatherparsons6052]

It was wonderful to see them all, with famous Cities.

[@annalefsrud3132]

Agree with Alix below, these long videos are wonderful, more please! Dololomania on display too. Thank you Benjamin and Kirsty.

[@cyantess8423]

I'm happy to know another baby is on its way😍❤️❤️

[@sonja437]

Thank you so much for this video! I appreciate the time shared with us from the staff and the elephants.

[@SkeensSeattleUSA]

Wonderful video and update on everyone. -Seattle 🇺🇸

[@yvonnemarshall6424]

Hello Benjamin Thank you so much for all your love and support of Elephants at Sheldrick Trust Big thank you tou all ♥ 🐘 🐘 🐘 🐘 🐘 🐘 🐘 🐘 🐘 🐘 🐘 🐘 🐘 🐘 Yvonne Mullion Cornwall England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@ted1091]

Absolutely amazing. Thank you to the amazing Keepers for the work you do

[@lmnop541]

God bless and protect you all in your mission.

[@brendamanning5235]

It amazes me that Ben knows all the elephants just by looking at them.I love elephants.U.S.A.

[@vcairns77]

Hi Benjamin! Great to see you and the babies. Hoping to come back next year!

[@Trojan0304]

Really enjoy the in depth vlog . Why I donate to SWT🐘🐘🐘

[@kristinawise9720]

I love seeing these clips xxx especially when i get to see Kuishi. It makes my day to see these babies do their thing. stay safe guys, love & hugss to you all.

[@kellyiturralde2864]

Thank you for sharing these videos. I love watching how they are doing. I read my monthly diary but watching is always more satisfying. Almost everyone in my family have a foster. My son loved when he visited the nursery made him get another foster. You do such amazing work for all the animals you help. Thanks again!

[@EnchantedwithPoodles]

It’s so interesting to how the calves are cared for.

[@yvonnemarshall6424]

It's wonderful to see you all hear the Birds see the adorable Elephants ♥️♥️♥️🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘

[@ceciliachmielecki5122]

THANK YOU FOR THE VIDEO!!!....GOT A GLIMPSE OF "MALIMA" (ONE OF MY FOSTERS)....THE SITE OF ALL THESE "ELLIES" THRIVING WARMS MY HEART!!!!.......💕💕💕😎🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘

[@kellyssong]

God bless you for protecting the elephants. 🤗

[@michemacht]

hello Benjamin!

[@marialperez1773]

Benjamin, how smart you are; you know all the names of elephants in your care. God bless your heart!

[@judys5638]

Thank you for sharing these videos and the love and amazing care you provide for all these precious elephants. Love from🇨🇦

[@Kim-lc3fv]

My trip to Kenya to visit DSWT at all their sites has been postponed TWICE (!) due to covid! Hopefully early next year the tour will finally happen. 🤞❤🐘

[@reneczymoniak9326]

Moin Nadel, ich wünsche dir das die Reise stattfindet . Grüße bitte Naleku in Nairobi von mir. Danke.

[@c0f3324]

WOW!! ThaNK YOU for this video, this is so beautiful, the sunrise, the people the elephants. Just wow thank you

[@yvonnemarshall6424]

Thank you I love That the independent Elephants 🐘 🐘 🐘 🐘 still are looked after Water 💦 is life I have really enjoyed watching Yvonne Mullion Cornwall England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@monicaenriquez8643]

What a fabulous update! So many babies becoming young adults! Hope the the pregnant lady brings her baby around to show off next year! How many rescued babies are back at the nursery in Nairobi? I hope the Queen will make you a Dame soon like you mum! And Benjamin should also be given the equivalent honor! He is such a wonderful man! God bless you and your loved ones!

[@lb2229]

Beautiful updates of our elephants 🐘 family! Thank you! 🙏🥰✝️💗💗💗

[@Fadedecho1]

Jambo Ben!!! And the little herd. What a perfect day at the camp. Well done keepers 💞

[@dorabella64]

Be Blessed Always 🐘🙏❤️

[@Sacredsaucemusic]

Everybody looks so good & purposeful and settled, thank you for all you do for them!❤❤❤

[@bulouvusonawalowalo1711]

Thank you Sheldrick Trust and all your wonderful keepers. Great respect from the Fiji islands 🇫🇯 🇫🇯 🇫🇯

[@isawhittaker9523]

I am amazed to see that the elephants who are now in the wild are coming back to the orphanage I wonder if they missed the keepers or they are after the milk or just want to see their friends !!! - thanks for the video love to see these beautiful babies they are doing so well -:)

[@ishouldbesleeping1354]

Thank you, I REALLY enjoyed this video!

[@kimskomars497]

This is such a first rate ‘mini-doc’-love the more complex view of integration into the wild systems

[@janetplanetearth]

Thanks for bringing it up close and personal! It was like a meditation.

[@chichichi998]

Thank you for this video- love it!!!

[@zizisearles]

Excellent video. Question: When and how do the orphans integrate and interact with the wild adult elephants? Also I would love to see some videos on herd dynamics. There is a channel that follows rhesus macaque troops in Hong Kong. It was fascinating to learn how the monkey troops work and how certain individual macaques would join and leave various troops. Would love to know how elephant herds work internally and with each other.

[@SkeensFamilyUSA]

❤❤❤amazing how the carers can identify each elephant by name and age. Please share this video onto your social media platforms.

[@moebees3060]

Film in landscape

[@sueking3424]

Roi is one of my original babies. ❤

[@Clodi19]

these loves !! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@barb6281]

Thank you. These videos always warm my heart and make me smile.

[@keithwhite5657]

Thank you very much for sharing 👍

[@pskarrott]

Love this!

[@kaythomas7918]

Ummm, how can they tell they are expecting🤰.......🐘🐘🐘🐘. Love you guys❣️♥️♥️♥️♥️.

[@thetrinitee]

I really enjoyed this video. Thank you for all you do🙏🏾

[@angelaeriksen4436]

We need more episodes with explanations from Benjamin!!!!

[@MaritzaPokart]

How can we donate a truck of fruit and vegetables to this elephants in the dry season??

[@missclaire4820]

There is a wish list on their website, you can buy the elephants food as well as other things.

[@cherylbush9780]

💞Wonderful camera work, narration and knowledge.

[@LtBRS]

Absolutely amazing! ❤

[@cls9876]

Beautiful but also sad that the elephants need the help of humans after being orphaned.

[@user-ml4lg5kg9h]

Очень очень очень интересно! спасибо!!!!

[@Clodi19]

they are so beautiful !! a wondeful herd !! but they lis their mother their family it’s a trauma however they have friends and good connection with their keepers ! ❤ a wonderful video .💕🐘💕🥰🤗👼🇫🇷

[@user-iv9ff2mf8w]

🙏🙏🙏🐘🐘🐘🐘

[@BoardsportsGroup]

:-) When filming its best to record in Landscape, but thanks for sharing :-)

[@SheldrickTrust]

Thx World Girl. We actually filmed this both portrait and landscape, however, the quality of the landscape footage was less impactful. It's also something of a catch 22, as for our Instagram and Facebook accounts, portrait videos can and do perform very well, as for those on mobile devices the footage fills the screen.

[@SkeensFamilyUSA]

Look forward to seeing another episode of your nursery

[@mariayoshimura3450]

😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@jillezzell6931]

What was the name of the ellie without a tail? Does anyone know her? The one who had a lion attack was also not a familiar name. I hope it didn't happen out in the bush! All of the ellies are so precious. Thank you to all of the staff who take care of them! What an awesome job!

[@kaythomas7918]

Takwei, if I spelled it rt. Another ( bull by now) whose name I dont recall, had half a tail at rescue...........hyenas grrrrr. They of course adapt👋, I think🤔 , the tail is to swat insects and show emotion ( happy wags) like our house pets...🐕‍🦺🐈Apparently they adapt♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️. It seems sad and painful, but I am glad they are still here and thriving beautifully. EXCELLENT ORG. GREAT WORK!!

[@natestorm194]

when you use the phone like that to record, go to the settings and set it to landscape instead of portrait and it will record correctly.

[@cacatr4495]

It's also easier for us to make out Benjamin's answers when the questions/commentary don't overlap Benjamin's quiet answers, answers we so appreciate hearing. When 2 people are speaking at the same time, it makes it so tough to hear, also when Benjamin is turned away from the mic. Please, thank you for keeping these realities in mind. We greatly love these videos and want to hear every word we can. :)

[@dandelionsbeauty]

Namalok ❤❤❤❤❤ my favorite

[@edwinbatchelor6993]

You people are amazing ❤

[@user-hu9up1tm9d]

รักค่ะคุณเบนจามิน

[@gemuccia1]

Esampu 🤣🤣🤣 miss that little girl

[@Liz_678]

🥰

[@glorianova7557]

🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘💖💖💖💕💕💕💕🙏🙏🙏

[@SkeensFamilyUSA]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@naomicampagne3775]

Splendid video. Thank you. Question. Is 12 a young age for pregnancy?

[@cacatr4495]

12 is not young for pregnancy under thriving conditions, as their physical development and sexual maturation completely depends on the conditions of their environment. An excellent in-depth biological study was done at an elephant orphanage in Sri Lanka, where they found that under thriving conditions, good, ongoing access to food, with peace and without undue stress, some female elephants began their cycle as young as 3 years old. I answered this question in greater depth in a comment-thread here begun by commenter "Lineage First." (See a lot more detail there.)

[@suegermaine5730]

Where are Godoma and Mbegu??

[@jaymac-uu8vt]

They are both at Voi.

[@user-ml4lg5kg9h]

What do elephants smell like? do they have a smell? very interesting! I read that baby elephants smell like honey, is that true? and why?

[@marialperez1773]

Do you know how the Sheldrick Elephants survive when they encounter Lions? I am just curious because they look naive when inside stockades.

[@user-ml4lg5kg9h]

In palisades (in cages) do elephants sleep standing or lie down? it's safe there

[@joehalas378]

Why are these 12 and 13 year old elephants so small.

[@suegermaine5730]

Where are Godoma and Mbegu ?

[@tommygustafsson7050]

They are at Voi, the other reintegration unit in Tsavo

[@SheldrickTrust]

They are both at our Voi Reintegration Unit, in the southern section of Tsavo East NP

[@suegermaine5730]

@@SheldrickTrust thank you for telling me. They are two of my four fosters but never hear about them anymore

[@cheryl62022]

@@SheldrickTrust will you be doing videos on the other locations? I hope so. This was very nice. It made my day. Please do all the units. 🥰🥰🐘🐘🐘🐘

[@cacatr4495]

@@SheldrickTrust Love your videos and that you respond here sometimes, :) :)