By Reteti Elephant Sanctuary | Team
Dear Reteti GlobalGiving Community,
We want to begin by saying thank you. As we reflect on World Elephant Day 2025, we are reminded of how deeply grateful we are for this incredible community of support. You are helping to change lives – not only for the elephants in our care and the environment they inhabit, but also for the people who protect them.
As our Sanctuary Manager, Peter Lenasalia, recently shared: “People always ask about the elephants – but rarely about the keepers. Being a keeper means becoming an adoptive parent: feeding, bathing, comforting, staying up through the night. It means caring for the calves when they’re sick and being there through every vulnerable moment. It’s not just a job. It’s physical. It’s emotional. It takes patience and empathy. And above all, it takes love.”
If you’ve ever cared for children, pets, or loved ones, you know this kind of devotion – the sleepless nights, the constant worry, the joy in small victories. It’s unforgiving work, but every second is worth it.
With that in mind, we are proud to share these updates from Reteti and humbly ask for your help in the ways we need it most. Just like they say, it takes a village to raise a child – it takes a herd to raise an elephant!
Firstly, we marked World Elephant Day with a globally live-streamed feeding from Reteti – and what a success it was! Supporters from all around the world joined us on Zoom for behind-the-scenes stories and an up-close look at the elephants. A huge thank you to Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier, who co-hosted this lively event alongside Katie Rowe,
Co-Founder of Reteti.
Help Reteti Reach to Rescue
On World Elephant Day, Reteti shone a spotlight on critically injured and vulnerable elephants – as well as other wildlife – across Northern Kenya’s remote landscapes. Escalating challenges like climate change, drought, and human-wildlife conflict leave many animals orphaned or in urgent need of care – yet in terrain this rugged, with nearly impassable roads, help often arrives too late.
To meet this urgent need, we’ve launched a campaign to establish a rapid-response mobile veterinary unit. This lifeline on wheels will enable our team to reach further and access remote locations faster – providing lifesaving treatment when every second counts. Thanks to our partners at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, each donation until the end of August will be matched up to US$ 125,000 – doubling your impact. Your support can give critically injured animals a fighting chance, and help drive lasting change!
Read more and join this meaningful campaign
August also brought new rescues into our Adoption Program, including an adorable duo that shows the power of friendship across species. Kimani – a little male elephant rescued at just three weeks old – and a spirited baby buffalo bull named Siilai have become almost inseparable on their joint journey of healing and rehabilitation. They’ve already won over hearts around the world! Meanwhile, Long’uro the Brave and his peers are extending their range, preparing for a fully wild future – supported every step of the way by our dedicated Samburu keepers.
When our friends from Threshold visited a while ago, they recorded a delightful podcast straight from the heart of Reteti – and it was such a treat to relive the experience through their joyful audio story! With adorable rumbles, grumbles, and trumpets from the orphans, plus soulful singing by their Samburu keepers, you’ll feel like you’re right there in the middle of the herd and part of the magic. Tune into tenderness below:
Together, we are creating a brighter future where people and wildlife thrive side by side.
With gratitude,
The Reteti Elephant Sanctuary Team
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