To mark World Elephant Day, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has released behind-the-scenes pictures of efforts to save orphaned baby elephants in Africa, where up to 35,000 animals are killed for their tusks each year.

As elephant populations suffer losses from poaching, habitat destruction and human conflict, the charity travels across Kenya to treat injured adults and care for orphaned infants at its nursery.



The images offer a unique view of the trials and tribulations to reach and then transport often fragile babies who are often poaching victims and have witnessed considerable trauma.