Elephants: Portraits of Survival

Last year over 35,000 elephants were killed for their tusks. This devastating fact not only has an impact on the diminishing elephant population but also on the orphaned elephants that are left behind to fend for themselves. Thankfully the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust run an orphanage in Nairobi National Park that cares for these beautiful creatures that have survived poaching attempts, conflict and the destruction of their habitat. Here, to mark World Elephant Day on Aug 12, Hasselblad Masters Award Winner and acclaimed wildlife photographer, Joachim Schmeisser, has captured tender, heart-breaking images of a specifies that must be protected.