Orphaned elephants’ adorable 'milk heist' caught on camera

Orphaned elephants are seemingly unanimous in their belief that feeding time is not over simply because their keepers have taken away their milk bottles.

The accompanying footage, shared by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, shows several clever young elephants gathered around a wheelbarrow and testing used containers for last sips.

The Kenya-based conservation group stated via social media:

“The year may change, but the brazen milk heists remain the same. This video was taken back in 2021, when Mukkoka, Nabulu, Maktao & Naboishu seized their window of opportunity, descending upon the milk wheelbarrow, assiduously checking all the empties for leftovers.”

The year may change, but the brazen milk heists remain the same. This video was taken back in 2021, when Mukkoka, Nabulu, Maktao & Naboishu seized their window of opportunity, descending upon the milk wheelbarrow, assiduously checking all the empties for leftovers. pic.twitter.com/SIY1qeqPjK

— Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (@SheldrickTrust) August 26, 2023

The elephants are using their trunks to place bottles in their mouths the way keepers do at feeding time.

At least one keeper, undoubtedly amused by the animals’ resourcefulness, is shown watching over the elephants.

Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, based in Nairobi, rescues and rehabilitates elephants that become orphaned by poachers with the goal of “reintegrating them into a protected wilderness.”