Long’uro’s Rescue Story

On the 18th of April 2020, the Reteti air team was called in at night by Loisaba Rangers, informing them of a bleeding, abandoned calf that had fallen into a well in Loisaba Conservancy. He was in a desperate state. Cries of despair flooded the night, and on inspection, the team discovered that two thirds of his trunk had been lost to a hyena the previous night, whilst stuck in the well.

Teams from Kenya Wildlife Service and Reteti rushed in and were able to save the distressed calf from the most terrifying situation imaginable, and bring him to safety at Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. He was only a month old at the time. We didn’t know what fate Long’uro faced. It was the most unique rescue we had ever encountered. But as the months ticked over, we watched him grow stronger and stronger.

Upon his arrival at Reteti, Mary Lengees then stepped in and took on the task of being his mother, and stayed by his side, day in and day out, nursing his emotional and physical wounds.

Long’uro Today

Long’uro has made huge strides in progress with just a third of his trunk. He has learned to eat seed pods off the ground with his mouth, and more recently learnt to splash water on himself with his trunk, mimicking the rest of the herd. He is completely besotted with his favourite keeper, Mary, and gets a little bit jealous when she feeds other elephants in the herd! Mary took care of Long’uro from the very beginning of his stay at Reteti and they truly have the most incredible bond.

Long’uro is really just the most caring, gentle soul. He is easy to distinguish from the other elephants in the herd because of his short trunk and very fluffy body! He is much hairier than the other babies. He is independent by nature. He often has his meals solo and chooses when he would like to interact with the other elephants. His very best friend at Reteti is Lomunyak - they arrived at Reteti a month apart and are almost the same age. We often see them playing and Lomunyak sharing his browse with him. 

For now, he is a happy, well adjusted member of the Reteti Herd and we are so grateful to have him as part of the herd!

"Long’uro is such a special case, and he will show us the way forward."

Long’uro’s Name

The names of the Reteti Elephants come from either the area that they were rescued from, or by a distinguishing feature or character trait. “Long’uro” is the Samburu word for something that has been cut.

What is included in your adoption?

• A digital, sharable Adoption Certificate - making your foster parent-hood official!

• A Social Media Starter Pack, with videos and photos which you can use to share the news about becoming a #RetetiFosterParent

• Quarterly email updates about your foster elephant

• Updated exclusive online photo album

Please note:
Multiple adoptions of individual elephants enable us to cover the costs of caring for all 46 elephants at Reteti; your contribution will help us cover the cost of milk, the keepers, veterinary cost and other essentials your elephant needs.