Few sights are sweeter than a pile of sleeping baby elephants. A video from Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (@sheldricktrust) shows orphaned elephants at the Voi stockades stretched out together after a long day outside.
Their caretakers summed it up, writing, "It's an elephant slumber party at the Voi stockades!"
What happened?
The clip came from the Kenya-based organization that rescues and raises orphaned elephants and rhinoceroses.
In the carousel, the young elephants are shown sleeping side by side with some loud snoring involved.
"Swipe and you'll see why they're all so sleepy: a day of exploration and hijinks in Tsavo East, Kenya's largest national park," the trust wrote.
As advertised, the other video in the carousel shows the group playing hide-and-seek as well as chase, according to the trust.
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The post's caption noted that elephants get very little sleep. The trust said adults may rest for "as little as two hours a night," while wild matriarchs can remain awake for days as they keep watch over their herds.
The orphaned elephants bedded down in a communal stockade protected by fencing meant to keep predators out.
"When elephants feel exceptionally secure, they have been known to lie down for a proper sleep," the trust noted.
That level of security was appreciated by commenters on the post.
"To know you have created such an environment that even the most emotionally and physically scared little elephants feel *this* safe is truly amazing," one commenter said.
Why does it matter?
For orphaned wild animals, rest can signal safety, stability, and trust during rehabilitation.
Elephants are highly social animals, and calves normally depend on the protection of a herd. With measures in place to keep them safe, these orphans were seemingly without a care in the world.
Sheldrick's mission is to release animals back into the wild. By providing a secure home and allowing them room to grow and roam, it gives them the chance to develop the skills they need in the wild.
What's being done?
As the post showed, the young elephants returned to Voi to share a safe enclosure. They spent the day in Tsavo East before retiring to that secure space to sleep, which gave them a chance to explore while they received close care.
The shared sleeping space also supported their social needs. The young elephants settled down together, mirroring the closeness they would naturally get from a herd.
"They all sleep safe and sound, cuddled together, until morning!" the trust concluded.
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