Reteti Elephant Sanctuary

Dear Reteti GlobalGiving Community,

Thank you for everything your support makes possible, for the orphans finding their feet and the landscapes they will one day call home.

The first months of 2026 have been full of growth. Reteti is now home to 46 elephants, alongside giraffes, gerenuks, zebras, and other wildlife in our care.

Ten of our elephants, now five to seven years old, have reached a milestone moment, entering the weaning stage of their journey. They are spending less time with their keepers and more time feeding and exploring on their own, even picking up and holding their own milk bottles at feeding time. The photo below captures them doing exactly that, a clear sign of their growing readiness for the wild.

This quarter, we welcomed five new orphaned calves. Among them is little Samburu, rescued near the Samburu National Reserve on Valentine's Day after losing her mother. She arrived weak and alone, and has since blossomed into a healthy young elephant, now inseparable from her friends in the nursery.

A more unexpected homecoming is unfolding in the wild. Reteti's very first rewilded orphans, released between 2019 and 2020, are making their way back towards the Mathews Range and Namunyak, drawn home across a landscape that decades of Samburu-led conservation have made richer and safer. Our tracking shows Warges leading the way west, with Shaba, Reteti's original matriarch, close behind. The 2024 Release Herd, now well over 670 days wild, is thriving too.

Ground has also broken on a second Reteti site near Mount Ololokwe, the future home to the next release cohort, as the sanctuary marks its 10th anniversary this year.

Beyond the sanctuary, the Milk to Market Program paid 1,250 Samburu women over $80k USD in the first quarter of the year for the milk that feeds our orphans, while our health and education teams reached hundreds more, from antenatal care and child nutrition to the nearly 200 children now learning in our nomadic schools.

Thank you for standing with us, and for helping these elephants and their community grow towards a wilder future.

With gratitude,
The Sarara Foundation & Reteti Elephant Sanctuary Team

Links:

• Reteti Elephant Sanctuary

Dear Reteti GlobalGiving Community,

Thank you for being part of this incredible journey, and for standing with us as we give orphaned wildlife a second chance. Your support is felt in every rescue, every bottle feed, and every step back to the wild.

Over the past year, there have been many moments of hope over heartache, and one of the most moving is the story of Samburu. This little calf was found all on her own, staying close to her aunt for five days after losing her mother – a quiet act of resilience that helped her survive. When she first arrived at Reteti, Samburu was fragile and withdrawn, but through the gentle care of her Samburu keepers and the comfort of the herd, she grew stronger each day – exploring with curiosity, and gradually finding her place in the world.

As drought and dry conditions continued to challenge wildlife across Northern Kenya’s landscapes, Reteti welcomed 12 orphaned elephants, including Samburu, in 2025 – a significant increase from the previous year. The sanctuary is now home to 45 elephants, as well as giraffes, gerenuks, Somali ostriches, and Siilai, the cheeky buffalo bull – each one cared for by a community rooted in compassion, who never turns away from those in need.

Beyond these inspiring rescue stories, there have been far-reaching efforts to restore and protect Northern Kenya’s precious landscapes, and in June we celebrated 500 Days Wild for 2024’s historic Release Herd – who continue to thrive in the wild, supported by a dedicated team monitoring their movements and wellbeing. Over the past year, we also launched a brand-new Mobile Veterinary Unit to reach emergencies in remote corners of Namunyak Conservancy, now responding to up to 15 call-outs each month.

The Milk to Market Program keeps providing a steady, reliable income to 1,250 women, while helping to nourish the orphans in our care. Reteti’s interactive Visitor Centre – opened in 2024 – received more than 4,500 visitors in its first year, enabling everyone from international travellers to local families and school groups to be immersed in the work of this flagship conservation initiative.

Looking ahead, there is so much to build on. Work has begun on a second Reteti site near Kenya’s sacred Mount Ololokwe, which will allow us to welcome more rescues and expand programs that support both people and wildlife. And as we approach Reteti’s 10th anniversary, we are reminded that this mission has always been about more than a sanctuary – it’s about a shared future, shaped by community, care, and commitment.

None of this would be possible without like-minded supporters like you, who make it possible for calves like Samburu to get a second chance, and for the landscapes they return to remain safe, connected, and flourishing. We are deeply thankful to have you alongside us, and look forward to continuing this journey together.

With gratitude,
The Reteti Elephant Sanctuary Team 

Links:

• Adopt an Elephant!
• Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
• Check out our online shop!