Protector of the Giants photographic exhibition

Young elephant Tano at Nairobi Nursery, Boxing Day 2009. The Protector of the Giants photographic exhibition tracks wild elephants and orphan elephants on their journey back into the wild Photograph: Joachim Schmeisser/David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Suguta, a gentle shove (Nairobi Nursery, Boxing Day 2009) Photograph: Joachim Schmeisser/David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Olare, time to talk (Nairobi Nursery, Boxing Day 2009) Photograph: Joachim Schmeisser/David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Kibo, a new life (Nairobi Nursery, Boxing Day 2009) Photograph: Joachim Schmeisser/David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Group therapy: Nchan, Chaimu and Ndii (Nairobi Nursery, Boxing Day 2009) Photograph: Joachim Schmeisser/David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Sabachi, out of the darkness (Nairobi Nursery, Boxing Day 2009) Photograph: Joachim Schmeisser/David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Sisterly love: Shukuru and Tano (Nairobi Nursery, Boxing Day 2009) Photograph: Joachim Schmeisser/David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Showing respect: Boone, a formidable bull who spends most of his time east of the Samburu reserve, visits the Poetics and is met with embraces by Maya, the matriarch, and her eldest daughter. This is not, or not directly, about sex; neither female is in estrus. They seem to be merely expressing appreciation for an estimable individual, a fine male, who probably contributed genes to their lineage and may again Photograph: Michael Nichols/NG/David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Adult supervision: security and learning are crucial to elephant society. On the savannas of Samburu, infants in family groups are protected by females functioning almost as a council of mothers. Adolescents tussle amiably, developing social skills as well as confidence and strength Photograph: Michael Nichols/NG/David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Safe haven: amid a shady forest of legs and bodies, close beside its mother, a calf finds shelter from the glaring world (Samburu National Reserve, 2007) Photograph: Michael Nichols/NG/David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Family ties: the elephants of the Samburu (Samburu National Reserve, 2007) Photograph: Michael Nichols/NG/David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Lost migration: Zakouma National Park, Chad, 2006. A large elephant group heads towards the Salamat river. Michael Nichols, who took this picture, said: 'We learned, sadly, that the animals group together because they are frightened, led by a single matriarchal female who knows the safest route to fresh forage. The evening after I made these images, this group of 800 elephants left the park and were ambushed by poachers. Twenty animals were massacred' Photograph: Michael Nichols/NG/David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Voi orphans returning of an evening (Tsavo East National Park, 2004) Photograph: Robert Carr-Hartley/David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Time for a drink (Ithumba, Tsavo East National Park, 2006) Photograph: Robert Carr-Hartley/David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Football fun at the nursery (Nairobi Nursery, Lempaute, 2007) Photograph: Robert Carr-Hartley/David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Samburu tribesman leads the Ithumba orphans (Tsavo East National Park, 2008) Photograph: Robert Carr-Hartley/David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Orphan Emily has grown up and is pictured with her wild-born calf Eve (Tsavo East National Park, 2009) Photograph: Robert Carr-Hartley/David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Nchan leading the babies. Nchan has since died (Nairobi National Park, 2009) Photograph: Robert Carr-Hartley/David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Samburu tribesmen oversee the Ithumba orphans (Tsavo East National Park, 2008) Photograph: Robert Carr-Hartley/David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Glorious mud: Daphne Sheldrick, the founder and chair of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, bathes with an elephant (Tsavo East National Park, 1970s). On Tuesday 7 September Daphne will visit the Protector of the Giants exhibition at the Royal Geographical Society in London to speak about her lifetime's work raising elephants and re-integrating them into the wild Photograph: David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Teatime in Tsavo: Daphne Sheldrick with Smetty. (Tsavo National Park, 1970s) Photograph: David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

All aboard for Nairobi elephant orphanage: Shukuru is rescued (Tsavo East National Park, 2009) Photograph: David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Transition: a new arrival to the orphanage is encouraged to leave the stable (Nairobi Nursery, 2008) Photograph: David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Best friends: Tano climbs on Galgalo for a cuddle (Nairobi Nursery, 2010) Photograph: David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Baby elephant parade (Nairobi National Park, 2010) Photograph: David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust