A team of animal health experts from San Diego Zoo Global traveled to Kenya to work with the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in the Namunyak community on a very special project: to enhance the medical care of elephant calves orphaned as a result of poaching, drought, and habitat loss. The elephant orphanage was founded to care for young elephants brought to the conservancy for supportive care and rehabilitation.

Located in the northernmost regions of the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) conservancy, the orphanage was inundated during 2017 with orphaned elephants. To assist with the challenge, a team from San Diego Zoo Global, including veterinarians, clinical laboratory technicians, and nutritionists, went to the region to bring equipment, supplies, and knowledge for setting up a veterinary clinic and laboratory. The team of San Diego Zoo Global staff and Reteti staff felt a great sense of accomplishment, as they were able to increase the survival rate of the elephants brought into the sanctuary.