I hope this isn't considered inappropriate for the board, but it is something near and dear to my heart.

I am sure many of those who love Africa and all creatures there are already aware of The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. For those who aren't; it is a wonderful organization that rescues and hand raises orphaned baby elephants. One can adopt a tiny Ellie for a small sum and receive detailed email updates all year long on it's progress -- complete with amazing photos. We "give" baby elephants from the trust to our grandchildren each year for Christmas or birthdays. Something to consider as the holidays approach.

http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/asp/orphans.asp

Thanks for the recommendation. It's especially nice for the child who has everything. Bet they don't have an ele, though!

This organization has been featured on 60 Minutes.

We visited the orphanage during late afternoon and ended up adopting a rhino and an elephant. Love getting the newsletter and update from the trust and look forward to continuing our support for a long time.

You are right about that. Lynn. We think its a great way to get the grandkids involved in a world bigger than Wii. The foundation is also currently featured in the IMAX movie, Born Wild, along with the little orangutans from Borneo. (would love one of those to cuddle, too)

Not inappropriate at all. Thanks.

There is also an article about them in this month's "National Geographic" magazine.

Love this place! The mud bath is a riot!

Sheldricks will be featured in "Wild Orphans" on OasisHD in Sept.

http://www.oasishd.ca/index.php?opti...:catw&Itemid=3

www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/about_us.asp

A very worthy reputable UK based charity with
great vet rescue services and community outreach
and anti-poaching programs in addition to orphan work
so 3 thumbs up for me.

Thanks for posting.

I am so glad you posted this. Especially with all of the news of poaching and the most recent reports of a couple of rhino poaching deaths. Thank you.

Wow, qwovadis actually provided us with a sentence!
There's hope yet!

Sheldrick is well-worth investigating and donating the small $50 annual fee. Then when in Nairobi, pre-arrange to visit at 5pm, when the animals come in from the fields - meet with the handlers and put your chubby to bed... fun!

Ok, so I couldn't resist. My grandson's 12th birthday is Sept. 2nd. We just sent him a certificate that he is now fostering SHUKURU. She was brought to Sheldrick's when she was only 3 days old. She was born at the beginning of Sept. She even followed the dogs that belonged to the herdman that found her. Our grandson will love that. Thanks for this site!

Cristeen, I hope your grandson loves his new friend as much as our grandchildren do. It is so much fun getting the letter and photos each moth. You even get prints of beautiful watercolor paintings of the little ellies done by Dame Sheldrick's daughter. We framed some for the bedroom wall. The kids also had fun "taking their ellies to school" for show and tell. (maybe at 12 yours is a bit too old for S&T)

Thanks! He did. We got a great response. It is sometimes hard to determine what to get him.
This is an email we received from our grandson when he received the Fostering an Orphaned Elephant certificate we sent him for his birthday.
"ITS AN ELEPHANT!!!!!!!!!!!! i love it thank you guys very very much! love you all."
BTW-his FB status now says "I HAVE AN ELEPHANT!!!!"
Such a great reaction. We sure love this kid!!! ♥

aaaaawwww that's so sweet!

My 21 yr old niece loves to tell everyone she has an elephant in Africa.

I gave one to my 82 year old aunt. When we made our trips to Africa she would always say, "bring me a baby elephant". So we did........by way of the fostering program. She loves it.

Cristeen, great response, great grandson. Lucky lady. Thanks for sharing.