Main content

Rewilding the orphaned elephants

Former Samburu warriors rescue baby elephants, but as the region struggles with the worst drought for decades, can they still rewild them?

In a remote corner of Northern Kenya, former Samburu warriors continue to rescue orphaned and abandoned baby elephants, even as drought has put on hold plans to release them back into the wild.

Traditionally Samburu warriors are not only charged with protecting their community, but with caring for their livestock. Now they have turned their attention to raising elephants. At Reteti Elephant Sanctuary they rescue baby elephants that have been injured, orphaned or abandoned. They look after them, rehabilitate them and release them back to the wild. It鈥檚 transforming the way local communities relate to elephants, in a way that benefits both humans and animals. But drought has meant their rewilding programme has been put on hold until the rains come.

Presenter: Michael Kaloki
Producer: Jo Dwyer
A Loftus Media production for 大象传媒 World Service

(Photo: Feeding the baby elephants at the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. Credit: Michael Kaloki)

Available now

27 minutes

Last on

Sun 31 Dec 2023 23:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Boxing Day 2023 02:32GMT
  • Boxing Day 2023 09:32GMT
  • Boxing Day 2023 13:32GMT
  • Boxing Day 2023 20:06GMT
  • Boxing Day 2023 21:06GMT
  • Sat 30 Dec 2023 17:32GMT
  • Sun 31 Dec 2023 05:32GMT
  • Sun 31 Dec 2023 14:06GMT
  • Sun 31 Dec 2023 23:32GMT