Jotto
Jotto is an inquisitive real-life orphaned elephant who was rescued by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust after surviving a spell in a well. His feisty resilience to overcome the odds against him can inspire us all.
Jotto’s rescue story began in the North of Kenya where, under a relentlessly beating sun, herders had brought their livestock for water. Instead, they found a tiny, newborn calf who had tumbled into the well. The surprise discovery quickly turned into an urgent rescue mission and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust arranged for a rescue plane to fly the young male elephant across the country to Nairobi where a herd of second chances awaited him. Read more.
If you feel inspired by Jotto’s story, and want to support her care, you can adopt through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Adoption Program. Our ability to raise orphaned elephants so that they will grow up as healthy, loved and supported animals is completely reliant on donations and the generosity of others.
Creating Jotto’s sculpture
Skillfully crafted in bronze with his trunk raised in curiosity, the bronze sculpture ‘Jotto’ was created by internationally acclaimed artists Gillie and Marc.
Raising awareness for elephants
Elephants once roamed the plains of Africa in their millions but now, the species are officially endangered. Poachers and habitat loss, amongst other threats, has brought African savanna elephants like Jotto to the brink of extinction, while their forest elephant cousins are listed as critically endangered. There is a very real possibility we might be the last generation to see elephants in the wild.
By sharing Jotto’s story, we hope to raise awareness and engage people in the plight of elephants, and how our own actions could help save a species.