From Scientific American
This is the inaugural volume in a series of books featuring photographs and stories from the various field sites of GLOBIO's Wild Orphans project. Photojournalist Ellis founded GLOBIO to help children learn about biodiversity by illustrating the relation between an orphaned wild animal and the state of its ecosystem. (Orphaned wildlife are key indicators of the pressures exerted on biodiversity by poaching, habitat loss, toxins, overhunting and wars.) In this book, Ellis documents the story of eight baby elephants brought to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya during the drought-plagued summer of 1999. He chronicles their lives over two years, beginning with haunting photographs of the rescues of the abandoned baby elephants, through their upbringing by dedicated 24-hour surrogate mothers (all African men of almost superhuman patience and generosity), to their release back into the wild. It's an amazing project and a stunning book. More photos and information are available at www.sciam.com

Editors of Scientific American


From Booklist
Author and photographer Ellis had been documenting animal orphanages in Africa when the "Orphan 8" entered his life in 1999. These eight baby elephants arrived at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust orphanage on the outskirts of Nairobi during an intense drought and increase in ivory poaching. Daphne Sheldrick (who penned the introduction) has pioneered a technique for raising baby elephants and rhinoceroses for eventual return to the wild. It involves 24-hour care and attendance by a dedicated group of caretakers: the little elephants are encouraged, cajoled, stroked, and continuously handled to encourage bonding, for without this bond they would die. The care and concern pictured in Ellis' heartwarming photos must be seen to be believed. The intimate text explains the reasons for many of the techniques used when rearing baby elephants and is often as evocative as the photos. The journey of the Orphan 8 to Tsavo National Park, where they are adopted by Malaika (herself a graduate of the orphanage), completes the story. Nancy Bent
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Book Description
Wild Orphans tells the emotional tale of eight baby elephants living in the nursery of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Orphanage at the Nairobi National Park in Kenya, East Africa. It chronicles their story over two long years, including memorable images of the rescue of abandoned baby elephants, their upbringing by dedicated 24-hour surrogate human "mothers," the lessons they learn, and ultimately, their release back into the wild. The stars of Wild Orphans are the "Orphan 8": eight babies who arrived at the orphanage during the summer of 1999, a time of prolonged drought and increased ivory poaching. They are: Natumi - Rescued froma well at just two months old after her mother was killed by hunters, she is the ringleader of the eight and is very possessive of the smaller babies; Icholta - Rescued at six weeks old after being abandoned by her herd. She is small for her age, with soft fuzz on her head, and is very gentle and friendly; Ilingwezi - Rescued at just one month, she was abandoned by her herd after falling into a deep gully. She is very sweet and playful; Idie - Four months old when rescued from a well, Idie grieved deeply for the family that abandoned her. Idie and Ilingwezi are now best friends; Nyiro - Found in a trench, he is sturdy and tough. As the smallest and most out-going of the group, he is a great favorite among the bigger elephants; Salama - Just three or four months old when abandoned by a herd that was fleeing poachers, Salama is tough, confident, and occasionally pushy; Lolokwe - He was rescued after falling into a well at just one month old. It is possible that he, Salama, and Nyiro all share the same father; Laikipia - She was rescued at four months after falling down a well. While Wild Orphans focuses on the adventures of these elephants, the reader will also be introduced to other orphans living in the nursery, their caregivers, older "graduate" elephants who return to teach the babies, and the greater story of the African elephant's plight. Never before has a photographer been granted this kind of access or spent this length of time photographing these orphans of Nairobi. Never before has their return to the wild been documented. Wild Orphans is certainly a landmark in nature photography and journalism, but it is also, perhaps more importantly, a story: One that will warm the soul and pull at the heart-strings of all animal-lovers.

FROM OUR EDITORS

In Kenya, eight very special baby elephants were orphaned by drought and poaching. In this heartwarming book, wildlife photographer Gerry Ellis documents the intimate bonds that developed between these "elies" and their human "surrogate mothers," who nursed them back to health.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The stars of Wild Orphans are the "Orphan 8" -- Natumi,. Icholta, Nyiro, Lolokwe, Salama, Laikipia, and Edie -- eight baby elephants who arrived at the nursery of the David Sheldrick Wildlife trust at the Nairobi National Park in Kenya, East Africa, in the summer of 1999 during a time of prolonged drought and increased ivory poaching.

Wild Orphans tells the emotional tale of these baby "elies," who were orphaned either by poaching, environmental forces, human interference, or abuse. It chronicles their story over two long years beginning with stunning photographs of the rescues of abandoned baby elephants, and follows their upbringing by dedicated 24-hour surrogate human "mothers," the lessons the orphans learn (including what to do at a mud hole!), and ultimately, their release back into the wild. The sidebars will introduce the reader to the other orphans living at the nursery, their human caregivers, the older elephant "graduates," who return from the wild to visit and teach the babies, and the bigger story of the plight of the African elephant.

Never before has a photographer been granted this kind of access or spent this length of time photographing the orphans of Nairobi. WIld Orphans is certainly a landmark in nature photograpy and journalism, but it is also -- and perhaps more importantly -- a story. A story that will warm the soul and pull at the heart-strings of any animal lover.

During his 20-year career, acclaimed photojournalist Gerry Ellis has traveled to the remote reaches of the world in his quest to document the world's most endangered animals, threatened ecosystems, and indigenous cultures. His photographs and writings have appeared in dozens of books, such as American's Rainforest, The Outdoor Traveler's Guide to Australia, Gorilla, Elephants, Penguins, and several titles in the highly acclaimed children's series by CarolRhoda Books, including Cheetahs, African Elephants, Hippos, Rhinos, and Slugs. His work also has appeared in such internationally respected publications as BBC Wildlife, Natural History, Terre Sauvage, Audubon, GEO, Ranger Rick, and National Geographic.