When Reteti started 6 years ago we felt a certain amount of trepidation. It was something that hadn't been done before and many believed it wasn't possible.
However, the overwhelming need for a sanctuary for the elephants and the people of North Kenya outweighed the nerves and doubts that sometimes intimidated us.
We have had our monumental ups and heart shattering downs, but we have started something from a grass roots level that we hope will spark other communities to know they too can play a massive role in conservation. For that we are so proud.
We still have some hills to climb, but we feel more confident to do so with such an incredibly supportive community in you all.
So thank you, and happy 6th anniversary!
-
Photo by Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
#retetisixyears#reteti#retetielephants#rescue#wildliferescue#northernkenya#elephant#communityconservation#namunyakconservancy#samburu
When it's a scorching hot day and you don't have your mama's shadow to shade you from the sun - Lemarash and his umbrella jump in to action!
It's hard to believe its been 6 years since we took this photo!
We have been looking through the archives reminiscing on our six year anniversary and so many emotions come to the surface. We'll be sharing some memories of our early days at Reteti over the course of the next week.
-
Photo by Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
#reteti_anniversary#reteti#retetielephants#rescue#wildliferescue#northernkenya#elephant#communityconservation#namunyakconservancy#samburu
When we get a call that a calf has been found wandering alone or fallen into a well, there is always a chance that the baby's mother is still alive and possibly in the area.
So, we settle in and wait alongside the baby, waiting in the hopes that its mother will come back for her lost baby.
There is usually lots of calling and grumbling from the little one as you'll hear in the video. These are good signs that the baby is strong and healthy!
And if the baby's mother is around, she will hear it.
This is what the Reteti keepers are waiting for... that fantastic moment when you have returned a lost baby to its Mama.
-
Video by @AmiVitale#worldelephantday#reteti#retetielephants#protectelephants#bekindtoelephants#communityconservation#namunyakconservancy#rescue#elephants#saveelephants#kenya#northernkenya#magicalkenya#everydayafrica
In celebration of Kenyan sprinter, @ferdiomanyala, who won the 100m in 10.02 at the Commonwealth Games this week, we held our own 100m sprint at Reteti! 🇰🇪
Watch how the winner lifts his trunk victoriously as he crosses the finish line at the gate.🥇 ah
While elephants aren't as fast as @ferdiomanyala, their top running speed is still an impressive 40km/hour (24.85 mph). It needs to be said though, elephants can't maintain this speed for an hour.
Most elephants are more likely to hit 15 mph (25 km/h) when running. It's rather mind blowing, considering the biggest elephants can weigh 14,000 lbs (6,350 kgs)!
-
Video by Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
#ferdiomanyala#commonwealthgames#reteti#retetielephants#rescue#wildliferescue#northernkenya#elephant#communityconservation#namunyakconservancy#samburu
Long'uro and his herd have been spending most of their their days out in the wilderness, as of late.
Namunyak Conservancy, where we are located, is home to the largest population of free ranging elephants on community land in Kenya. This gives the orphans a wonderful head start when it comes to their re-wilding journey one day.
The Samburu keepers - most who grew up here in Namunyak - are the best teachers to lead the young orphans across this landscape. There is no one more interconnected with their surroundings them!
-
You can support Long'uro by adopting him and joining the #RetetiFosterFamily! It's a great gift for yourself, or for someone special! Visit reteti.org/adoptions or follow the link in our bio.
-
Photo by @si_pocock#longuro#reteti#retetielephants#rescue#wildliferescue#northernkenya#elephant#communityconservation#namunyakconservancy#samburu#folklore#indigenousculture
Silas is usually in charge of the nursery herd and for good reason. He understands the depth of care and attention that these young calves need to not just to survive, but to thrive!
As they are much younger, they don't venture as far out on their wilderness bush walks as the bigger herds do. Silas does take them out, but they stay close to the boma where they spend their time learning to browse (and use those nifty trunks!).
Just like little children who would hold a parent's hand, the nursery ellies will often be found suckling on the keepers clothes or thumbs.
The nursery herd includes calves from as little as a few weeks old, to 8 months. From here they advance to the intermediate herd, where Lomunyak, Long'uro, Bule and Lerai are.
-
#reteti#retetielephants#rescue#wildliferescue#northernkenya#elephant#communityconservation#namunyakconservancy#samburu#babyelephant
It is so special to get close to a Lesser Kudu and to be able to see their beautiful stripes, patches and spots in detail.
Lesser by name, but not by nature! 🧡
Lesser Kudus are usually found in semi-arid areas. Their shy behaviour and stripes lend itself to near-perfect camouflage in the dry bush.
We are lucky to have both Lesser and Greater Kudu here in Namunyak Conservancy. One day, hopefully not too long in the future, this little one will roam wild here in the Conservancy!
Thank you to the amazing keeper, and kudu whisperer, Saitabau for taking such good care of this baby.
-
#reteti#retetielephants#rescue#wildliferescue#northernkenya#elephant#communityconservation#namunyakconservancy#samburu#lesserkudu
The belief that Samburu are ancestors of elephants has been around for centuries. Samburu folklore is rich with stories about the remarkable relationship and similarities between they share with elephants.
Both Samburu and elephants are equally renowned for the enormous journeys they are able to undertake - walking all day and all night - whilst sharing the same water resources.
As the Samburu walk through the wilderness with their livestock they usually sing to let wild elephants know they're whereabouts. Similarly, in return, when elephants hear people, they will make a low grumbling noise to also let us know that they are there.
-
Photo by Simon Pocock
#reteti#retetielephants#rescue#wildliferescue#northernkenya#elephant#communityconservation#namunyakconservancy#samburu#folklore#indigenousculture
Nope these babies don't sleep through the night.. they have a bottle of milk every three hours - come night or day, rain or shine!
Our younger and more vulnerable calves sometimes get a bottle every 90mins, as they have smaller tummies which need to be re filled more frequently. ⏰
To manage the 24/7 milk bottle production line and feedings, the Reteti keepers have a night and day shift rotations. Our kitchen is solar-powered, so we have lights at night and head torches when we walk out to the boma where the elephants are waiting patiently for their night time feast! 🍼🌒
While we always to do as much of the prep as possible ahead of time - to help the night shift team - with 40 elephants, the kitchen never closes!
-
Photos by Simon Pocock
#reteti#retetielephants#midnightmilk#feedingelephants#rescue#wildliferescue#northernkenya#elephant#communityconservation#namunyakconservancy#samburu
Are you bed hog and need your space or a snuggle up as close as possible like co-nappers Baringon and Lodokejek?
Just like us humans, elephants have their preference as to how they have their best nap. Nap-style aside, the one thing the Reteti herd has in common is that they rarely miss their snooze after the 12 o’clock milk bottle.
Interestingly though, bigger elephants in the wild are seldom seen lying down to nap. When they do elephant-nap, they lean against a tree or large mound or simply rest their trunk on the ground and doze for a few minutes.
Due to their immense size - similar to horses, if they lie down for too long the weight of their own body can prevent blood flow to certain locations.
Whether you are a brand new baby at Reteti like Baringon or big, wild bull, everyone will find a shady spot during the heat of the day and grab a quick 40 winks. 💤
-
Photo by Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
#reteti#retetielephants#rescue#wildliferescue#northernkenya#elephant#communityconservation#namunyakconservancy#samburu#naptime
Take a mud bath like no one is watching... this is the every day attitude of the Reteti elephants and we are signing up for it!
Not only good for the soul, mud baths allow the elephants to coat their precious skin with the protective layer of sun screen, use the muddy soil to heal any scrapes or stings from happy days out in the bush. It also cools their body temperature down in time for their afternoon snooze.
For more beauty and self care routine tips make sure to follow the Reteti herd! 💅🏾
-
Photos by Simon Pocock
#reteti#retetielephants#rescue#wildliferescue#northernkenya#elephant#communityconservation#namunyakconservancy#samburu@sararafoundation