An adorable image of a caretaker sleeping next to a baby elephant at an animal rescue in Kenya is melting hearts across the internet.
The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, an elephant orphanage in Kenya’s capital city of Nairobi, posted the viral image, which shows one of its staff members laying down next to a calf, as the elephant adjusts to life without her mother.
“In the wild, baby elephants sleep under the protective cover of their mother and herd,” the post reads. “Our newest rescues, for whom that memory is still fresh in their minds, often need a little extra comforting, and day or night, our Keepers watch over them to make sure they receive the nurturing presence they need to pull through [the] most difficult of times.”
In addition to the psychological trauma orphaned elephants often go through, calves require round-the-clock care, especially during the teething process, when they’re prone to potentially life-threatening fever and diarrhea.
Often, the staff at elephant orphanages sleep in bunks close to the animals every night, prepared to provide medical care and emotional support when needed. To prevent calves from becoming attached to any specific person, caretakers are assigned a different elephant every night, according to National Geographic.
Caring for the calves involves encouraging them to socialize with other elephants and engage in natural behaviors as often as possible, with the goal of eventually reintegrating them into the wild. By fulfilling maternal duties in their mothers’ absence, caretakers play an invaluable role in this important process, making for some heartwarming snapshots along the way.
Oh my gosh, what a sweet, caring place. That baby elephant looks content and I praise that elephant santuary to the Heavens!!!
This is so adorable. Thank you yo the men whom help these babies. God bless you.
soooo nice, wish more stories like this would go viral:)
WOW – wish there were more animal angels in this world to care for our innocent sentient beings so beautifully – well done to the carer and the sanctuary
Such a kind man to do such a thing to comfort the baby elephant. Hope there are are many more passionate people like yourself. Truly wonderful
Such a kind man to do such a thing to comfort the baby elephant. Hope there are are many more passionate people like yourself. Truly wonderful
very touching!
God bless that caretaker! : )
This picture tells me that the caretaker is very passionate about the baby elephants. I’m happy to see pictures like this where people actually care !! I love this picture, it says a thousand words..
Greedy poachers & heartless trophy hunters are responsible for so many thousands of orphaned baby animals. Thank goodness there are compassionate people (like the caretaker in this photo) that can help to balance all of the pain & suffering vulnerable animals go through on our planet.
The killing of the parents are what is at issue here, glad to see there are those who are helping the stranded calves. This is move than commendable and our hats off to them and keep going. We do the same with our doggies each night.
But the poachers and neglectors who cause this should be brought to justice in every country these atrocities are committed. We would raise our voice up if these were children. But remember, those who abuse animals will choose people next.
The killing of the parents are what is at issue here, glad to see there are those who are helping the stranded calves. This is move than commendable and our hats off to them and keep going. We do the same with our doggies each night.
But the poachers and neglectors who cause this should be brought to justice in every country these atrocities are committed. We would raise our voice up if these were children. But remember, those who abuse animals will choose people next.
These are the type of people I would defend with my life. They are true children of God.
Looks like this little fella has found his Mahute! He will be well taken care of.
That actually brought tears to my eyes it’s so sweet.
What a dear, sweet man he is. Bless his soul
Thank GOD for this and you. A beautiful, KIND thing to animals in this time of HORRIFIC TORTURE AND PAIN to animals! Keep up the beautiful and kind work!
That image has just walked right into my soul. That man is an angel.
A creature like this belongs with others of it own kind and not locked up like a prisoner in a jail. Have compassion for God’s creatures and release the animal to an approved sanctuary.
Please help the helpless, innocents.
This is just about the MOST heinous of all crimes. Their are sooo many pedophiles etc out there and guess what it isn’t considered a crime in a lot of places. Bevery careful who you and your daughters etc associate with. These vriminals are everywhere….sick.. Unconscienable!
Leave alone at all animals cowards bastards
I would take this position gladly and admire these people greatly.
Mr Boris Jonhson when you going to ban Trothy Hunting how many more times l have to ask you we all know you love blood sports like fox hunting.
Thank you to all who care for the baby Elethants l have adopted a baby Elethant
Animal Lives Matter
Love fron uk
I just can’t say enough of these Caretakers who are dedicating their life to help comfort the baby animals who have lost heir mom’s to evil poaching. SOME people go to the extreme levels to support & help the animals, and Some few Evil subhumans keep attacking & destroying & go murdering the very same gentle animals. WHAT A CONFUSING WORLD WE LIVE IN.
This is true humanity: compassion and caring. What a gentle and loving soul this caretaker has to care enough for the poor orphaned elephant that some evil poaching s.o.b. possibly created. Animals have feelings just like their human counterparts and they do feel the pain of loneliness, etc. Thanks to everyone from the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for everything you have done for these animals and may God bless you immensely. Peace and love.
Thank you The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, for helping these gently souls. God Bless ALL of you.
WE NEED MORE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD LIKE YOU. HOD BLESS YOU AND AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR HUGE HEARTS.
I read these stories, and I cry tears of happiness and sadness. Humans we need to take care of our earth and all of its inhabitants. We are the answer and we have the responsibility to ensure our ecosystems stay healthy. I can’t imagine a world without animals, sea life etc. My dream is to visit an elephant orphanage and sleep with a sweet baby, although sadden by the fact it lost its mother. But giving her/him love would just make my world a happier day.
This is what all humans should do, be stewards of the Earth and all of its creatures!
What a better place this world would be with more folks like this. Such a special person.
Awesome the way rescues care for loving needy youngsters of all ages.
How sweet! I wish I could help:)
Adorable, compassionate, responsible caretaker. Really heartwarming. No doubt this helps the little orphans.
Thank you, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for your loving stewardship over the orphaned elephants. Your contribution is priceless.
What a wonderful story of kindness and dedication. Thank you so much. God bless you all.
Thank you, your loving kindness will come back to you….GOD BLESS
SO BEAUTIFUL! YOU ALL ARE BEAUTIFUL HUMANS!
too beautiful for words
Fantastic!!
Mon seul souhait c’est de protéger tous les animaux car ils sont victimes de la cruauté de l’humain ça m’est insupportable
I wish there are more people like this fine gentleman with a Nuclear Heart who is constantly generating warmth, love, care, dedication and much more.. Dog Bless you both.
I wish I could so have a such privilege opportunity. Dog Bless you both. [email protected]
Good that Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has people so dedicated to fixing the horrors that poachers and hunters create.
NO hunting, no poaching – NO ORPHANS.
Thank Goodness for these people and others like them.
that is exactly what I would do… an do ,, do with my two rescues
just no one here but the three of us to take pictures…..
Thanku Sheldrake Wildlife for rescuing and caring for these orphaned elephants 🐘🐘💙👨👩.
What is the name of the organization that employs such wonderful caretakers? I`d like to support them financially.
Another good news story! Now, can we just stop killing them?
Thank you.
Kind people are the best!!! 💜