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The Documentary: Rewilding the orphaned elephants

Rewilding the orphaned elephants

26/12/2023 GMT

BBC World Service - The Documentary, Rewilding the orphaned elephants

Former Samburu warriors rescue baby elephants, but can they rewild them during drought?

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’s 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 BBC World Service

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

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