Kenya’s Reteti Elephant Sanctuary — the first community-owned elephant sanctuary in East Africa — provides a place for injured elephants to heal and a home for elephants orphaned by poaching.

Through a partnership with Conservation InternationaI, Reteti focuses on rescue and return where possible, with the goal of reuniting calves with their mothers within 48 hours.

Conservation News recently spoke with Reteti founder Katie Rowe, recently nominated for the Pritzker Emerging Environmental Genius Award.

Question: What makes the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary unique?

Answer: Reteti is a community-owned effort — with all employees coming from the local Samburu community — to save a critical species. But Reteti isn’t just about saving elephants; it’s about breaking down stereotypes and redefining wildlife management. For instance, Reteti provides new employment opportunities for women and those who haven’t gone to school.…