It was precisely her experimental approach and extensive experience in the field of substitute care that had a profound impact on the entire conservation practice in Africa. If nothing else, her formula of "elephant breast milk" that she developed over the years allowed her to survive 230 elephant orphans into adulthood.
The British-Kenyan writer , nature conservationist and co-owner of Tsavo's largest Kenya National Park, has, of course, done much more in her life. Tirelessly endeavoring to promote environmental themes in the world media, highlighting the lack of protection for rhinos, antelope, buffalo, giraffe. The necessary role of reservations and national parks, as a safe preserve of the last remnants of wilderness.
Throughout its activities, it has developed a steady pressure that has practically transformed the form of East African nature conservation over the course of decades. And she always tried to point out the "human" side of the problem because she firmly believed that the solution had to come from people.
After the death of his husband in 1977, he founded the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which in the years to come was the world's most prestigious rhinoceros and elephant rescue program. Among its merits can be the establishment of first anti-whistle patrols or the establishment of mobile veterinary surgeries designed to help wounded animals in savannah. However, she did not only deal with "action" work in the field, she devoted her energy to countless educational activities. Educational activity among locals has proven to be a very viable way to change for the better.
Sheldrick's most prominent reference remains her devoted work with orphaned elephants, which she has become a "replacement mum". Losses, threats and dangerous elephants would not survive without proper care. "Elephants are very human animals," she said. "Their emotions are the same as ours. When they lose their family, they see their mother's death, they are filled with fear and anger, aggression. They are destroyed, broken, grieving. " Still, they could find their way into their animal minds. "It seems strange, but the elephants who have experienced so much suffering in human hands have never lost the ability to forgive people ."
In 2016, she warned that if there was no radical change in ivory trading, the last representatives of the African forest elephants would die by 2025. It was one of the last messages she gave the world.
Author: Radomír Dohnal
Source: Ekolist.cz
