Namunyak Conservancy to welcome 13 elephants who will be released from Reteti Elephant Sanctuary

Set in the breathtaking Mathews Range Ecosystem, Namunak Community Conservancy is our hope for the future, our heartbeat, and our home! We could therefore hardly contain our joy – and pride! – when this vast landscape was chosen as the release site for 13 of Reteti Elephant Sanctuary’s orphans, who will return to their natural habitat soon.

Encompassing 850,000 acres of pristine wilderness, it’s a land where almost 6,000 wild elephants already roam freely, alongside more than 23,000 Samburu – who have lived in this rare landscape for thousands of years. As a true testament to the harmony between the indigenous people and the region’s incredible wildlife, their coexistence forms the foundation of Namunyak’s unique conservation story.

For generations, the Samburu and wild elephant herds have shared Northern Kenya’s natural resources throughout nature’s many ebbs and flows. These majestic creatures are also inherently part of the Samburu’s culture and folklore – as much as the Samburu are part of them. With early stories relating how the Samburu are the ancestors of elephants, legend has it that they are related by blood. It reflects the deeply meaningful connection between them, which continues to grow stronger to this day.

When Reteti was opened in 2016 by the Samburu community, the goal was to rehabilitate and release elephant orphans back into the landscape they were rescued from. It’s a landscape in which they are celebrated, protected, and respected – by the very community that is rehabilitating them.

In the lead-up to this upcoming release, we want to honour the tireless efforts of various stakeholders – including Kenya Wildlife Service, who carefully considered all factors before approving two suitable release sites within Namunyak.

This is such a momentous time for everyone involved, and about so much more than merely returning these elephants to their natural habitat – it’s a celebration of the community’s deep-seated respect, tolerance, and appreciation for these much-loved and revered animals.

What’s more, Namunyak is also a crucial link in the chain of elephant movement corridors – connecting to the Samburu National Reserve and Laikipia regions. Providing vital connectivity for free-ranging elephants and other wildlife, it helps to ensure a dynamic and healthy ecosystem.

As we prepare for the release, we invite you to join us in witnessing the return of these giants to their ancestral lands. Their story symbolises hope, coexistence, and the unwavering spirit of conservation – and highlights what is possible when those with the same vision join hands! Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on this inspiring journey together.