Daphne Sheldrick and the Orphans of Tsavo
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325693)
Rockingham, Australia
February 14, 2016 7:45am CST
I am rereading some of my books and plan on disposing of them after I've read them, with the exception of a few. A paperback which is old and yellowed is called 'The Orphans of Tsavo' and tells of the various wild animals that were raised and cared for on Tsavo National Park.
With her second husband David Sheldrick, the author, Daphne, raised and rehabilitated a number of different species including elephants, rhinos, buffalo, zebras, kudus and more. When David died in 1977, she created the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi, Kenya. She was the first person to perfect a milk formula for infant milk-dependent elephants and rhinos and now has an enviable success rate in raising these babies.
Today the Trust is involved in a number of programmes aimed at the conservation, preservation and protection of wildlife in Kenya. She has received a number of awards for her work including an MBE presented by Queen Elizabeth II in 1989. In 2006, she was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. What interested me is that in my book, written in 1966, she looks like a teenager although she is married and has two children. Many years later, when I 'discovered' her again, she was much more matronly. Happens to us all doesn't it? Us females anyway.
The photo is of two elephants in the Singapore Zoo. There are treats in the barrel and having to work out how to get the treats keeps the elephants pleasantly occupied.
12 people like this
13 responses
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
15 Feb 16
When you are ready to get rid of your books, ask the library if they want them, and if not the charity shops will take them. I enjoy buying charity shop books when I go on holidays, and I leave them behind when I come home. It's amazing the books at resorts and charity shops for all to read.
3 people like this
@Ladypeace (2028)
• Singapore
14 Feb 16
Daphne Sheldrick is such a remarkable and compassionate person. I love elephants and have watched the elephants perform at the Singapore Zoo. They really do deserve to be treated with dignity and care. Unfortunately many of them have been exploited in various parts of the world.
3 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
14 Feb 16
How wonderful to hear of people taking up a good cause.
2 people like this
@slund2041 (3315)
• United States
14 Feb 16
I love the picture of the elephants. It is amazing that they work out for their treats. Thanks for sharing.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325693)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Feb 16
Such intelligent animals must get very bored sometimes with nothing with which to occupy themselves.
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
14 Feb 16
Just thank your lucky stars you do not look like Dame Maggie Smith or worse that Antipodean Dame Edna Everidge!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325693)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Feb 16
Have you come across Norman Gunston yet? He has vanished from our screens now but he was really cringe material - as another antipodean, not a woman!!
@JudyEv (325693)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Feb 16
There is plenty of these types of places desperate for funds.
@JudyEv (325693)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Feb 16
They don't seem to be able to get on top of the poachers. But they are now saving many more babies than they used to.
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
14 Feb 16
What a nice story to read. I do love elephants, they seem sweet and kind animals.
2 people like this