Nature as Healer
Where will we go for healing when wildlife and wild places no longer exist? Katie Rowe Co-Founder Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
When I was a child, I was captivated by Joy Adamson’s story, Born Free, about raising two orphan lion cubs in Kenya. My imagination was ignited with the idea of living in a place where lions, elephants and giraffes roamed free.
Two young lion cubs, Maasai Mara, Kenya ©Kathy Karn
Growing up in the 1950’s and 60’s, Sunday night was the only day in the week we were allowed to eat dinner in front of the TV. The Wonderful World of Disney and the Ed Sullivan Show provided our evening entertainment. Disney introduced us to wildlife stories in Africa. Ed Sullivan introduced us to Elvis and The Beatles. The iconic animals of Africa were the real and only stars in my opinion.
There’s a saying “Africa gets under your skin.”. I didn’t travel to Africa until 2010, but when I did, Africa got under my skin. Its indelible impact calls me back again and again. Every time I leave, I dream about when I will return.
Dancing with the Maasai of Osenetoi Kenya. Photo credit ©Tyler Shaw
In 2019 I stood at the threshold of a new chapter in my life. I retired from full-time private practice as a psychotherapist in January and my mother, age 96, died in August. Over my life I’d learned not to rush into “the next thing”. I knew the value of sabbath time in nature, so I followed my heart back to Kenya.
Marar Sunset ©Kathy Karn
I longed to meet the elephants of Amboseli, renowned for its “Super Tuskers”. I cherished the idea I might even meet Tim, ambassador for conservation and the most famous Super Tusker in the world. In 2020 it was estimated there were fewer than 20 Super Tuskers left in the world due to rampant poaching and human wildlife conflict.
Tim 2020 ©Kathy Karn
I had no idea hundreds of mammoth elders awaited me on the Amboseli Plain. The elephants became companions in my grief and opened the door to the next chapter in my life. I found a new purpose; become a voice for wildlife, use my photography and stories to open hearts and minds to the threat to elephants, indeed all wildlife, and the environment.
A matriarch leads her family across the Amboseli Plain ©Kathy Karn
Elephants continue to inform my creativity and my activism. Because of my love of elephants, I’ve had some extraordinary adventures, met other change-makers from different corners of the world, and spent hundreds of hours in safari vehicles under the African sun.
Sustainable tourism supports conservation & the people who co-exist with wildlife. ©Kathy Karn
Next week I’m off to Ireland for a reunion with my writing friends. The occasion came with an invitation to share my Amboseli story at a local event about creative activism. The elephants just keep on giving. It will be my first gig in a castle! My good friend Joann Malone, another member of our writing group, will also be speaking at the event. If you are in Carrick-on-Suir May 31st, I hope you will join us.
