Water for Elephants

6-14-12

Thursdays are our off days which means….. exploring! The elephant center was where we were headed and I couldn’t be more excited.

Victor showed up around 10:15 and we were off. After about 30 minutes of dirt roads, bumpy streets, and carsickness we finally reached the center. It was beautiful.

The elephant center was officially called the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trusts’ Orphans’ Project. I soon learned that this was more then an elephant center but an orphanage.

The elephants that come here range from 3 days old to a couple weeks old. The facility raises them because their parents have been killed by poachers (yes, those are real things!)

The trainers sleep with the orphans every night to ensure their safety, and rotate where they sleep so the babies don’t get too attached to one trainer.

Did you know you can adopt an elephant?

When you adopt an elephant that means you pay for all their food that day. In return you get to come back to the facility around 5 and put the baby to sleep. How adorable does that sound?

It was a great day of experiencing God’s beautiful creations.

Inspirational quote of the day: “Faith is the gaze of a soul upon a saving God.”

Enjoy the pictures!

We saw pumba! These little creatures we just walking around at the center.

little baby elephant. All the really young ones had to wear sweaters so they wouldn't get cold! 

running to get there food!

one of the most amazing sights.... a baby elephant feeding himself

Joy

so adorable!

I love those wrinkles

I touched an elephant!!!!

so blessed by you girls!

the babies bottles

lunch time

playing soccer

love

sitting on eachother

cuddling

then he kicks him away!

my favorite!

just being polite and crossing his legs!

these cars are all over the place. I feel like I am on a safari 24/7

just a blind rhino.... no big deal!

This is the most precious thing... when the baby elephants are put to sleep the trainer sleeps right above them! Talk about royal treatment!