Photograph by Michael Nichols

Dedicated keepers at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's Nairobi Elephant Nursery in Kenya protect baby Shukuru from the cold and rain, and the risk of pneumonia, with a custom-made raincoat.

Photograph by Michael Nichols

Even orphaned babies out for their morning walk from the nursery seem to understand the complex structure of elephant society. Here the oldest orphans lie down to invite the younger ones to play on top of them.

Photograph by Michael Nichols

Wasin, rescued from the Namunyak Wildlife Conservation Trust in Samburu, was about two weeks old in this photo.

Photograph by Michael Nichols

Orphans playfully vie for a bottle of formula not finished by little Sities, the blanketed baby at the keeper's feet. Every three hours the orphans are fed the formula, which was developed over decades.

Photograph by Michael Nichols

Daphne Sheldrick, who founded the Nairobi Elephant Nursery, makes her evening rounds. In 1987 Sheldrick, a pioneer of wild animal rehabilitation, became the first person to rear a newborn orphan African elephant.

Photograph by Michael Nichols

The introduction of orphan elephants to Tsavo National Park is bringing wild herds back to a region devastated by poaching decades ago. Ithumba mountain is near the park's northern border.

Photograph by Michael Nichols

Elephants enjoy their midday ablutions near the Voi stockades in Tsavo National Park. Daily mud baths are key to elephant hygiene, offering them effective sun protection while also cleansing their skin of bugs and ticks.