Meet Reteti Keeper: Russia Lenanyokie
Image by Ami Vitale
What is your name and surname?
My name is Russia Lenanyokie. I’m a keeper at Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. I’m born in Samburu community, I also work as guest relation officer where I tell visitors all about Reteti: how it started, elephant behaviours, characters as well as our relationship with the community.
Tell us a little bit about yourself… Where were you born, where did you grow up, your family?
I was born in Ngilai within Namunyak Conservancy, along the Mathews Ranges, where I grew up and attended primary school. I went to high school in Meru.
When did you join Reteti, and what led you to working at Reteti?
It was my dream to work with elephants. I have a short story on how I was inspired to help elephants.
“There was a day when i was a young boy (layioni) looking after goats; more than two hundred goats. It was a dry season and there was no green browse seen around. The only available food for goats was Acacia Tortalis pods (sagaram). Only strong men can satisfy their goats, because they climb up tall trees and and shake branches so that pods can fall down for goats to eat on the ground. I walked for multiple hours without getting a short tree to climb; I can’t climb a tall tree.
I found three men in the bush and I asked them to help me shake a tree for our goats, but they refused and chased me away with our goats.
I went to the middle of the bush and found a big elephant bull (sangalai), shaking a tree with his big tusks and millions of pods are falling down. The goats ran and joined him. I was worried he could attack the goats, but he was a good friend, I think.
They all stayed under the same tree till evening and the goats were satisfied. I was just watching them from distance till goats later leave the elephant alone and I walk them back home. I was so exited to get back home and tell my dad about what happened.
I got home and told the story to my dad, who didn’t believe me. So, the following day we went to the same area and find the same elephant under the tree, and my dad came and found us together - and that’s how he believed me.
The whole of that season our goats were totally depending that elephant to feed them acacia pods till it rained. That’s how I dreamed of helping elephants in future and here we are now!”
Image by Ami Vitale
Do you remember your first day as a Keeper?
I remember my first day as a Reteti keeper, meeting baby Shaba, I was speaking to her assuming she understands me - and I told he all about what I learnt from elephants and how my dream has come true. I told her that i will help forever.
Being a Samburu born I call my self lucky having born in an environment where people are in coexistence with animals from long long time ago which helped us to develop skills to handle them and knowing to live together. I’m so passionate to these orphaned baby elephants because this is what makes them happy and joyful.
Personally, I like playing with them, cleaning their stables and giving them mud baths. I like teaching them on how to be wild again - more so than creating a strong bond with human beings - that’s our aim as Reteti keepers.
Could you describe a typical day at Reteti as a Keeper?
Since joining Reteti, I have been herding elephants, I do lab work like taking samples of blood, urine and dung for analysis. I also go on rescues as well as creating awareness to the community to expand wells to avoid babies falling in; that’s the major treat bringing babies here.
I tell visitors about Reteti and to support the good work done by Samburu community to have come up with an idea of rescuing babies who could have ended up dying - had it not been for their support.
What is your favourite fact about elephants?
My favourite facts about elephants is they are social, romantic and emotional. Their relationships possibly lasts for life. I learnt this from staying with them for the last six years.
Do you have any hidden talents?
For me my talent is simple - I always have unique way of telling stories and every one like them.
When you are not working, what do you enjoy doing?
Every time I’m away from my job as a Keeper, I travel and engage with the young guys - telling them all we do and importance of having animals in our ecosystem. I like adventure too.
Quick Fire with Russia
How many languages do you speak?
I speak three languages: English, Swahili and my favorite Maa language.
What is the last photo you took on your phone?
The last picture i took is one of birds i was feeding food on my house door.
What is your favourite food?
The favourite food i like is blood and milk (traditional Samburu food). Though, I missed it for long due to the long drought.
Favourite musician / singer / band?
My favourite musicians is Dave Mathews and Samburu lion aka Lemarti.
