John Kerry visits rescued baby elephants at David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Kenya

[MBS]

https://www.facebook.com/thedswt

US Secretary of State John Kerry meets the Orphans and learns about our work to protect Kenya's wildlife
US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Kenya today for talks on security cooperation and ahead of a planned visit later in the year by US President Barack Obama.
Secretary Kerry arrived in Kenya just after 3.00pm and after a short journey through Nairobi National Park, to witness its wildlife, he visited the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's Orphans' Project at 5.00pm. Secretary Kerry was accompanied by US Ambassador Bob Godec , Kenyan Cabinet Secretary of Environment, Water and Natural Resources Professor Judy Wakhungu, and KWS Director William Kiprono. Secretary Kerry was hosted at the DSWT by Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick and DSWT CEO Angela Sheldrick and our wonderful keepers, where he was able to meet the 28 orphaned elephants presently at the Trust's Nursery, feed them their milk and learn the tragic stories behind why they were orphaned and are now in our care.
This visit follows the US State Department hosting a screening on Gardeners of Eden in Washington DC at the end of April. The film presents the reality of the ivory trade at a field level, where our teams are battling to save elephants, within the context of the international trade. We are encouraged by this further engagement today on issues related to elephant poaching and the State Department's increasing commitment to tackle the illegal wildlife trade.

It doesn't matter who you are, everyone loves a selfie! Secretary Kerry connects with the orphans and their stories

I had trouble posting the other photos, but you can see them here: https://www.facebook.com/thedswt

And here are some of the figure legends for those photos:

Our founder and chair, Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick welcomes US Secretary of State John Kerry to the DSWT's Orphans' Project in Nairobi just hours after he lands in Kenya

Dame Daphne Sheldrick introduces Secretary Kerry to our work protecting elephants and rhinos. Explaining the devastating impact of the illegal wildlife trade, specifically ivory trade, in claiming the lives over more than 30,000 elephants annually and the reason for many of the elephants in our care being orphaned.

Secretary Kerry was particularly interested to learn the reasons for the elephants being orphaned and our approach in hand-raising them so that they can return to the wild.

Many more photos (including several showing Sec. Kerry feeding the elephants milk) at state.gov photo log: http://www.state.gov/secretary/photos/2015/05/241397.htm

[undeterred]

1. Awww

Thats so sweet.

[JI7]

2. the elephant looks happy

[AtomicKitten]

3. here's a video I took from your links

Thanks for posting this. The sanctuary is really beautiful and the elephants well cared for.

[MBS]

4. Great, thanks.

It does seem to be a wonderful organization. Nice to see humans doing good and compassionate things for once.

[blm]

9. Great to see. Shared it on FB.

.

[blm]

5. That is genuine joy. He had 100% rating from animal rights groups when he was in Senate.

I think kids and animals sense his innate goodness.

[MBS]

6. + 1000 n/t

[karynnj]

7. this is so nice to see on what looks to be a tough trip

While continuing to work on Iran. Nice to see these happy pictures.

[blm]

8. He absorbs good energy from these moments, imo.

.

[karynnj]

13. he will need all the good energy possible over May and June!

Especially on Iran.

[mylye2222]

10. And he looks so happy by this visit!

[Cha]

11. Kick for SOS Kerry and the baby elephant.. thank you, MBS

[blm]

14. Yep - MBS is one of our treasures here at DU.

.

[mylye2222]

16. + 1 000 000 000 000 000..

[BrotherIvan]

12. WOW that is so cool

[locks]

15. We can't forget the elephants

In 2010 I visited the Sheldrick Wildlife orphanage with my dear granddaughter who lived and worked in Kenya for three years. Every Christmas she adopts a new baby elephant for me who has been rescued after their family has been killed in the wild. The keepers are amazing people who care for the babies 24/7 for years until they can be sent back into the wild where they are welcomed by elephant families.

It is a joy to see leaders like Kerry and Chelsea Clinton bringing the plight of these intelligent and awesome creatures to the world's attention. I only hope we can stop the terrible ivory trade before it's too late.

[blm]

17. Thank you so much for adding that personal perspective.

Humans who ignore this and all of the species so endangered by mankind's greed, imperil us all.

[justiceischeap]

18. If you get a chance, watch the documentary Born to be Wild

It highlights this organization and another in Borneo that rehabilitates orangutans for release.

[MBS]

19. thanks very much for this tip!

I will definitely look this up.

[MBS]

20. Film on elephant poaching on Pivot TV tonight (May 6, wed) 9EDT/6PDT

Gardeners of Eden, a new film on elephant poaching and the efforts of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
This is the film that was recently screened at the US State Dept before Sec. Kerry's trip to Africa.

https://www.takepart.com/pivot/gardeners-of-eden