AN ORPHANED elephant has been fostered by pupils from Great Bedwyn primary school after money was raised to place the endangered animal in a shelter.
Year five pupils decorated and sold African themed necklaces as part of an initiative by Kids’ Tusk Force UK.
Mteto was orphaned after her mother was killed by poachers, but now the elephant will be protected for the next 10 years as she grows and develops. The whole school will be kept informed about her progress as she becomes ready for release back into the wild.
One of the charity founders, June Pearson, travelled to Kenya last month to visit elephant orphanages and now gives talks to primary aged children about conservation.
She said: “Facts about poaching and illegal ivory trading aren’t pleasant but the children involved have taken a very mature stance regarding what is happening every hour of every day in Africa to the ever diminishing numbers of elephants left in the wild, and are determined to do something to help.”
In partnership with Kenyan charity the David Sheldrick Trust, more schools are now set to learn about elephants through Ms Pearson’s African experience, including Ramsbury, Preshute, Oldbourne and Woodborough primary school.
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