A few weeks ago, we were involved in one of the toughest and most intricate rescues, with four elephants stuck in a community well.

This year, we decided to celebrate World Elephant Day differently. In the light of the ongoing drought and number of elephant rescues, we wanted to take action.

One of the main things that has made a big difference in being able to raise these small and vulnerable calves, and especially those with challenging injuries such as Lomunyak and Long’uro is the discovery of using a new milk formula which is far easier for the elephants to digest, extremely nutritious and best of all it is right under our trunks in the local community.

Lomunyak aka” Lucky” in Samburu language, now 8months old. He was rescued from Elephant Bedroom Camp Samburu National Reserve after being separated from his mother mid-April this year.

I don’t know if you know this, but the name "Reteti" (Reteti elephant Sanctuary) in Samburu means a Fig Tree (Ficus thonningii). The Fig Tree is a sacred tree in the belief system of the Samburu people

It has been four great years, and we are happy to celebrate it with you!

It’s rhinoceroses day and as Reteti community, we are proud of our first black rhino rescue and release, meet Loijipu.

Kone came to us from Ewaso, Simba lodge near Samburu National park on 8th April 2019. She was found in despair from the death of her own mother, suckling and trying desperately to push her up, to revive her.

We are teaming up with Wild Rose! We love partnering with local, ethical and sustainable brands like Wild Rose! Not only are our values aligned but they also love elephants and understand the important role they play in this landscape of North Kenya, not only for the environment but also for the local people.

It’s was a beautiful morning, that promised a perfect day. Indeed it lived up to its word. A new baby arrived, beautiful Bule joined us.

The keepers’ party went on for hours, periodically punctuated by the all-important duty of tending and feeding 'the babies'. The occasion? - celebrating Long’uro!

Reteti Elephant Sanctuary has successfully released four hand-reared elephants, Loisaba, Baawa, Lchurai and Nadasoit into their new home Sera Community Wildlife Conservancy.

Does an elephant at Reteti Elephant Sanctuary care if his keeper is in uniform or not?

This month we successfully returned our second group of rescued and rehabilitated elephants to the wild. Three elephants aged between three and five were moved in late November, following the pioneering ‘re-wilding’ of three of their stable-mates in May this year.

On World Elephant Day, we are excited to launch a print sale and an exclusive sweepstakes by National Geographic photographer Ami Vitale.

This is the story of three young elephants that is as heart-breaking as it is heart-warming, and a true testament to the strength of community conservation and partnerships.

We were recently honored to host musician Dave Matthews at Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. We are thrilled to be able to share this breathtaking Ami Vitale film about his visit and the incredible impact Reteti and community-based conservation are having on northern Kenya

This post is a cross post from Conservation International‘s blog. In it, Human Nature’s Leah Duran spoke with Reteti co-founder Katie Rowe, recently nominated for the Pritzker Emerging Environmental Genius Award.

It is with great joy and profound gratitude that we share with you the inaugural issue of The Reteti Elephant Report. It features stories of the amazing elephants at Reteti, the incredible people who care for them and the major successes and conservation gains we have made this past year.

Reteti Elephant Sanctuary has welcomed another elephant into its fold. He is an eight-month old male calf. His name is Loisaba, in honor of the conservancy who brought him to us. This is how he came to live at Reteti: