Baby Elephants and The Giant Star Quilts

Giant Star Quilts.

I am a big fan of The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

A few months ago, I read that someone from the UK
had donated a quilt to one of the orphaned elephants.

I had to do one, too.

But I didn't just make one.

I made four.

Why do orphaned elephants use/need blankets?
They are missing and need the warm of their mothers.
They are susceptible to colds and colds can be deadly.

But why did I make four Giant Star Quilts?
I made one for any new or current elephant that needed some extra warmth.

I made a second to use as a "mother" elephant.
When the Keepers feed the elephants, sometimes the elephant will not feed. With a blanket hung and used as a "mother" it will feel as if the mother is above him and he is safe to eat.

I made a third quilt to be donated to the DSWT to be used at their discretion as a fundraiser.
I imagined an international raffle that could raise at least $400 USD.

I made a fourth Giant Star quilt for myself. :)

All four Giant Star quilt tops are similar in style and fabrics.

• The two elephant Giant Star quilts have a fluffy poly batting and fleece backing.
• The donation/raffle Giant Star quilt has proper cotton batting and a beautiful orange/red/yellow patterned back.
• The fourth Giant Star quilt (mine) will be quilted in the US with cotton batting and backed with Minkee.

We arrived at our private session at DSWT for the donation.
Thanks to our friend, Barb, who coordinated it.

The smallest/youngest elephant, Ajabu, who we also foster, was already in the area. She had finished her bottle.

The others started to arrive.

{click here to view 1st video}

And then another group came down.

{click here to view 2nd video}

A total of 22 elephants.
And it was just the 3 of us and the handlers.

Wow. What an experience.

The bottles were consumed.

And then the mud baths and dirt showers started. 

We pulled out one Giant Star quilt.
Ajabu modeled it. She is so tiny.

The quilt moved to another larger elephant. 

More came to touch it.

Then the elephant decided to climb on one of the mud lounging elephant.

Not sure why. Maybe he felt he was a superhero with a new cape?

Then the Keepers pulled out the second Giant Star quilt.
Hung it.
And then there was a rush to see it.

The elephants wanted to touch and rub on it.

I am not sure what DSWT will do with the donation/raffle quilt.

I hope they find a way to sell it or raffle it. It matches the elephant quilts. The DSWT helps these orphaned elephants who, without their help would not survive in the wild. I'm sure the quilt could raise a fair amount of money.

Would you buy a raffle ticket if it was offered?
If so, would you friend them on Facebook and let them know?
Or you could email the DSWT.

Here are some additional photos from today.

Our foster baby, Ajabu. So young, not even two months old.

This one thought I had a special yummy treat.

This is Maxwell, a blind rhino having a snack.

I can't express how wonderful this experience has been.
If you want to foster an elephant, please take a look at the DSWT website. You can also foster Maxwell, the rhino.