Reteti Elephant Sanctuary was established to rescue and release orphaned and abandoned elephant calves – while creating much-needed benefits for the people living alongside them.
LOCATED IN NAMUNYAK COMMUNITY CONSERVANCY, NORTHERN KENYA
THE SANCTUARY
Officially opened in August 2016, the sanctuary is the result of a widely recognised and expanding grassroots movement of community-driven conservation across northern Kenya – a movement that is growing new economies, transforming lives, and conserving natural resources.
“Reteti was established in response to demands from the local community, who recognise wildlife as an opportunity to improve livelihoods.”
– Namunyak Chairman, Kinyua Langashar
Every year, between 10-15 elephant calves are rescued in Northern Kenya. The calves are orphaned for various reasons, including getting separated from their herds, being stuck and injured after falling into wells, and their mothers dying from natural causes.
In the past, Samburu warriors tried to help the calves, but without adequate support, the babies often didn’t survive. Today, thanks to the Reteti, they can alert the sanctuary – and ensure that the orphans are rescued and brought to safety.
THE KEEPERS
Reteti’s keepers are all Samburu and hail from within Namunyak Community Conservancy. As the first community-led elephant sanctuary on the continent, it’s also the first to employ female keepers. Formally trained in the care, rehabilitation, and release of elephant calves, the keepers provide around-the-clock love, care, and nurturing as they help each orphan on their path back to the wild.
As pastoralists, the Samburu are devoted to their livestock, which makes them natural and intuitive carers of animals. Visitors to the sanctuary are often struck by their passion and commitment, and it’s a privilege to witness the kindness of the keepers as they interact with the orphans!
From giving them three-hourly milk bottle feeds to seeing them learn to forage on daily bush walks, to tending to their niggles throughout the night – the keepers ensure that every calf receives personal care while healing from their physical and emotional wounds.
Allowing the orphaned elephants to form special bonds with their keepers and new elephant friends – in their own time – Reteti offers each orphan safety, nourishment, and the space to grow into his or her own as they embark on their journey of rehabilitation, surrounded by their natural habitat.
GROUNDED IN ANCIENT WISDOM
On a fast-developing continent and amid the challenges of climate change, the Samburu are reversing trends. Leaning into the ancient wisdom of their culture, they’re seeking to preserve Namunyak Community Conservancy’s precious natural legacy – helping to ensure the survival of these elephants, as well as the region’s precious biodiversity.
Thanks to their tireless efforts, Kenya’s northern rangeland – once heavily poached and severely degraded by instability – is now being restored through sustainable efforts that include innovative solutions like bunds (circular holes in the soil capturing rainwater and generating new growth) and responsible grazing practices.
As Reteti’s operating partner, The Sarara Foundation (TSF) supports 100% of the sanctuary’s operating costs. It also helps to implement various solutions, such as boreholes, to ease challenges during droughts, and new bomas for the herds.
Aiming to keep enhancing the sanctuary’s impact, TSF works tirelessly to support best-in-class elephant care, animal rescue, wider landscape-level conservation, social development initiatives, and expanding Reteti’s voice as global advocates for elephant conservation and Indigenous Peoples.