Sex and the City Star Helped Rescue an Elephant

by Stephanie Feldstein · 2010-07-30 08:00:00 UTC
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Kristin Davis, who played Charlotte in Sex and the City, was on a safari in Kenya last year when her group came across an abandoned elephant calf. The calf had been walking for days without water before she was finally rescued and taken in by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Wildlife officials aren't sure if she was a victim of the drought or poaching, as the area had been plagued by both.

She was named "Chaimu" after the lava ash in the hills where she was found. Chaimu was dehydrated, emaciated and one of her eyes appeared to be infected or injured. The vets and staff at the Sheldrick Trust were able to nurse her back to health, at least in part thanks to the support of Kristin Davis.

Earlier this year, Davis returned to Africa to visit her "baby." She told PEOPLEPets.com, "We went to see Chaimu and the other elephants and it's so gorgeous and amazing. These are elephants that are reared by humans so you can interact with them in an amazing way, but they are also reintroduced into the wild, which is very rare."

Davis posted pictures from her trip on her Facebook page, where it's clear that she has a strong passion for animal welfare.

Wildlife adoptions aren't unusual, especially for animal-loving celebrities. Just last month, Anthony Stewart Head, who played Giles on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, adopted a chimpanzee rescued from life in the circus by Care for the Wild International. His "adopted" chimp is now retired at Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary. But Kristin Davis' tale is a little more hands-on than your average wildlife adoption, celebrity or not. The "adopters" aren't usually out in the field during the rescue and don't always get to see their beneficiaries in person; it's typically more of a send a check, get a beautiful photo and know that you made a difference kind of arrangement.

You don't need fame or a Hollywood paycheck to support the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife. There are wildlife trusts, rehabilitation centers and sanctuaries around the world that have programs where you can donate toward the care of a specific animal who was injured, orphaned or saved from abuse. Not only do these programs do good work, but they're a reminder that every animal has a story and every person can make a difference.

Photo credit: Paolo Camera

Stephanie Feldstein is a Change.org Editor who has been part of the animal welfare and rescue community for over a decade, and most recently worked for an environmental organization.
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