Inspired by the growing community-based conservation efforts in Northern Kenya, the people of Samburu County pushed for an elephant sanctuary focused on environmental and species protection that was finally opened in 2016. Reteti Elephant Sanctuary was the first community-owned elephant sanctuary in Africa, started and run by a community motivated to protect and preserve the environment around them. It provides jobs and education for members of the Samburu Community while rescuing and releasing orphaned baby elephants in the area. A core belief of Reteti is that nature and conservation can also contribute to economic growth and improve livelihoods.

Reteti Elephant Sanctuary rescues orphaned, abandoned, and injured elephant calves and welcomes them into the company of other elephants. The sanctuary’s calves are abandoned for several reasons, including drought, natural mortality, poaching, and human conflict. The sanctuary was made possible many organizations who saw the need to care for baby elephants in Kenya and enabled Reteti’s construction.