幾世紀以來,殘酷的象牙交易讓非洲陷入了大象滅絕的漩渦。近幾年來,動物保育意識不斷抬升,然而,為了滿足貿易需求,非法捕獵象牙的行為還是難以轉變的現實夢魘。天天上演的慘劇,除了殺害無以計數的大象,更讓許多小象成為無人關照的孤兒。
令人慶幸的是,一位女勇士決定把生命奉獻給這些無依無靠的年幼孤兒。
![Thankfully, one woman has dedicated her life to caring for those elephants whose families were so cruelly taken from them.](http://teepr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/desktop-1426692728.jpg)
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自1977年起,她便以先生的名義創立大衛謝爾德里克野生動物基金會 (David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust),幫助年幼大象寶寶與其他象牙交易底下受害的動物找回新的家。
![Since 1977, the <a href="http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org" target="_blank">David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust</a>, founded in her husband's name by Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick, has worked to save the lives of young elephants and other animals affected by this terrible trade.](http://teepr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/desktop-1426692730.jpg)
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位於西查弗 (Tsavo),肯亞的大象孤兒院日常工作為努力營救受傷的大象,並療癒他們身心的創傷。
![Based in Tsavo, Kenya, the facility brings the infants into their care for rehabilitation of both their physical and emotional wounds.](http://teepr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/desktop-1426692732.jpg)
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大象其實跟我們一樣情感豐富,目睹他們身邊的親朋好友一個個去世,經歷過的痛苦與哀傷令人難以想像。
![Like us, they experience pain and grieve when faced with the death of those close to them.](http://teepr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/desktop-1426692734.jpg)
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然而,隨著時間慢慢地融入新家環境,朋友也成為新的家人。
![But at the facility, they learn to heal and form new families.](http://teepr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/desktop-1426692736.jpg)
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透過不斷研究,謝爾德里克太太研發出與母象成分相近的配方,以便餵養2歲以下的小象,讓他們可以在最佳狀態下成長茁壯。
![Through her studies, Sheldrick was able to develop an essential formula for the mother's milk young elephants rely on for nutrients in the first two years of their lives.](http://teepr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/desktop-1426692737.jpg)
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在肯亞長大,她對這片土地有著深厚的情誼,也對保育類動物情有獨鍾。
![Raised in Kenya, her passion for the endangered animals has been a lifelong endeavor.](http://teepr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/desktop-1426692739.jpg)
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對她來說,這是一場戰役,不到最後一刻,她也不會放棄。
![](http://teepr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/desktop-1426692741.jpg)
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過去幾年來,有超過150隻大象孤兒在這兒健康成長。
![Over the years, they have raised more than 150 orphaned elephants into healthy adulthood.](http://teepr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/desktop-1426693221.jpg)
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這些大象一旦準備好,就可以重回西查弗區的野生家庭,進而繁衍出美麗的後代。
![Once they're ready, the elephants are reintroduced into the wild herds of the area, where they can contribute to the repopulation of their beautiful species.](http://teepr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/desktop-1426703849.jpg)
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他們的終極目標是要完全禁止象牙交易,讓大象留條活路,安全地長大。
![Their ultimate goal is to outlaw the horrific ivory trade completely and allow elephants a chance to live in safety.](http://teepr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/desktop-1426692744.jpg)
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儘管基金會與其他團體不斷努力爭取權益,當地政府也跟著一起響應,把非法象牙放火銷毀,象牙的市價仍然超越黃金。
![Despite efforts by the organization and others, like this photo of the Kenyan government destroying poached tusks, the market for ivory is currently worth more than gold.](http://teepr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/desktop-1426703851.jpg)
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(往下還有更多精彩文章!)