Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
Africa’s first community owned elephant sanctuary, situated in Northern Kenya.
We rescue, to release.
Reteti is a Samburu community owned elephant sanctuary in Kenya
The Sanctuary takes in orphaned and abandoned elephant calves with the aim to release them back into the wild herds adjoining Reteti.
This 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.
Between 10 and 25 elephant calves are rescued in Northern Kenya each year
Elephant calves in Northern Kenya are orphaned or abandoned due to drought, man-made wells, human-wildlife conflict and natural mortality. The Sanctuary was established in response to demands from the local community.
The Kenya Wildlife Service and Samburu County Government have promoted the establishment of the new Sanctuary, recognising the wish of the local community to retain their elephants within Samburu County and seeing local communities taking a lead in rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing elephants within their home range.
Our elephant keepers are all from the indigenous Samburu community
The Reteti keepers are all recruited from within Namunyak Conservancy. The Samburu have been living alongside wildlife for thousands of years and have deep respect for elephants with whom they share the land and its resources.
The keepers have been formally trained in the care, rehabilitation and release of elephant calves.
Adopt an Elephant
By adopting an elephant calf, you will be supporting Reteti in the rehabilitation and release of these orphaned elephant calves.
Adopt an elephant for a donation of US$50 a year.
It takes a village to raise a calf
Every donation makes a difference. See a breakdown of our costs below.
$10 | 1 Bottle of Milk
The rescued elephants at Reteti Elephant Sanctuary are each given 8 bottles of specially formulated milk throughout a day.
$25 | 2 Bed-time Blankets
Each elephant at Reteti Elephant
Sanctuary have 2 blankets for comfort and
warmth at night.
$80 | An Elephant’s Milk for 1 Day
The Reteti keepers follow a strict feeding
schedule and milk formula recipe for
the elephants.
$125 | An Elephant’s Care for 1 Day
A day’s care includes specially formulated milk, vet fees, medicine, water and keepers’ salaries.
$240 | An Elephant’s Milk for 3 Days
Each elephant receives a total of 24 bottles of specially formulated milk over 3 days. That amounts to 56 bottles each week and 240 bottles each month.
$575 | A Week’s Veterinarian& Medical Bills
New rescues at Reteti often suffer from trauma, injuries, dehydration or illness. The Vet works around the clock to nurse the babies back to health!
We would not be able to rescue, rehabilitate and release the elephants if it weren’t for your generous donations.
We welcome visitors. The Reteti keepers love to share their knowledge and the conservation work they do.
Reteti is located in the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy in Northern Kenya. It is an eight-hour drive from Nairobi. We also have our own airstrip.
During your visit, you will be paired with a keeper who will tell you about our work and answer any questions. From a special viewing platform, you will watch the elephants come in from their walk to receive their bottles and have mud hole playtime. Afterwards, you will be given a behind the scenes tour of the sanctuary.
Visit Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
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