Ready to be released – how we know the elephants are ready.
As we prepare for our next release of 13 elephants back into the wild, it’s so gratifying to reflect on each of their journeys, and how much they have grown!
Their development – both physically and emotionally – played such a pivotal role in determining their readiness to be rewilded, and they’ve been exhibiting so many traits indicating that the time has finally come!
Besides their size, the release herd can easily be spotted by the length of their tusks!
Much like kids in high school, the behaviour of elephants change as time goes by and they approach ‘graduation’. From an eagerness to be independent to becoming more self-sufficient on their walks in the wild, there are many nuances, and also very clear signs. It’s the same with our elephant orphans here at Reteti – and it’s always humbling to observe how determinedly they find their feet over a long period of time. We’re especially proud when we see them reach the end of their ‘school years’, and their excitement to take the next step!
Many factors are taken into account for the timing of each elephant's release, including their growth and development, body conditioning, and the strength of the bonds they have formed with other elephants. It was such a crucial part of their rehabilitation, and will continue to be invaluable every step of their journey ahead. Our considerations extend well beyond their physical attributes and a great deal of thought goes into their mental and social preparedness too! These orphans have survived the most harrowing pain, loss, and trauma at very young ages, so their years at the sanctuary also included healing from painful inner wounds.
Sesia enjoying all the green foliage and being able to camouflage himself well
Tell-tale signs
When elephants become ready to return to their natural habitat, their confidence in the wilderness is a guiding light. They’ll start spending more time in the bush, and in a way that shows us that they’ve outgrown the safety of the boma. They’ll also no longer want to spend prolonged periods with the keepers – and instead seek out each other’s company more. It’s the same as young adults, who depend less on their parents as they become closer to their friends!
Age is an equally important factor when considering whether one of Reteti’s orphans is ready to be released, and in the elephant world, there’s a Goldilocks Rule that applies. If they’re released while they’re too young, wild elephants might worry about them being overly reliant, or needing constant care from the rest of the herd. On the flipside, if they’re too old, wild herds could consider them a threat or a hindrance. We always try to find the sweet spot in each case, to ensure they are ideally positioned to be accepted as they make their way in their natural world.
Colman Lesowapir, Reteti’s researcher observing Seek who is part of our middle herd.
It’s so important to acknowledge that elephants are social animals, who thrive when they are moving in herds. Therefore, we also look at the collective readiness of the herd that is up for release, and consider the close bonds that they have formed.
Identifying all the cues when elephants are ready to go ‘home’ requires a deep understanding of their habits and relationships – as well as a passion and commitment for knowing each orphan by heart.
Reteti’s full-time elephant research team follows and documents their behaviour day after day, year after year – and by monitoring the data they gather closely, they can make the best decisions when the time for rewilding draws near. Read more about our three inspiring researchers and learn about their incredible work here.
Embracing wildness
Ultimately, when elephants reach the stage where they show most of these signs, their bodies have become tough enough for the wildness of the bush, and they’d have grown sufficiently in weight and size to stand on their own. They’ll also know how to look after themselves, and it’s the perfect window opportunity for them to be enfolded into wild elephant herds.
By the time the 13 elephants in Reteti’s fourth release group walk back into Namunyak’s breathtaking landscape, where almost 6,000 wild elephants roam free, it will also mark a time when they’ll no longer need our guidance. Equipped with a strong inner compass and sense of belonging in their natural world, they’ll start taking direction from wild elephants – which will see them grow even more!
Reteti’s release herd on a bush walk.
We are filled with gratitude and joy as we’re looking forward to this incredibly exciting chapter, and to monitoring their progress as they adapt and find their way back in the wild.
While it will be hard to say goodbye when they leave the sanctuary, the love and trust that’s grown between the keepers and each of these elephants will continue in our hearts and minds long after they leave. We’ll continue to monitor their progress and we will see them regularly – just in a new setting as they ease into the wilderness. They’ll start favouring different waterholes, and spend time with new groups of friends as they integrate with wild elephants in their natural home.
