The community-owned and run Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in northern Kenya achieved a significant, but emotional, milestone in June, with the release of 13 orphaned elephant calves back into the wild.

Tears flowed freely as the caregivers who nurtured the calves through their most vulnerable moments watched the elephants walk out to join herds in the adjoining protected areas around the sanctuary.

The rewilding exercise was led by the Samburu community, Namunyak Projects Limited and the Kenya Wildlife Service. 

“Each elephant's hesitation to step into newfound freedom echoed the beating hearts of those who had loved and cared for them; pulled at the heartstrings of their adoptive parents, torn between letting their big babies go and wanting to grab onto them and never let them go,” KWS posted on social media.

Ground monitoring teams will now keep an eye on the elephants to ensure their wellbeing as they start their new lives.

Reteti Elephant Sanctuary is currently home to over 107 rescued elephant calves that are orphaned or abandoned due to drought, man-made wells, human-widlife conflict and natural mortality.

The sanctuary was established in response to demands from the local community, who sought to protect the elephants within their area and have taken the lead in rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing elephants.