Elephants, like us, need community and friends to heal from trauma and loss. There’s proof. This week National Geographic published a study about the power of friendship and survival in orphaned elephants. Look at these orphaned baby elephants at the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in Northern Kenya – does it look like they are having a good time?

Do you think animals can feel love? I sure do! With Valentine’s Day this week, let’s talk about love. One of my goals in photography is to make images that touch people’s hearts. Watching African wildlife’s interactions is a reminder that these animals are sentient beings who care about each other.

The gates opened for the next feeding at the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, but the orphans were nowhere in sight. The region is experiencing a devastating drought, the keepers and their young charges were forced to walk further out into the bush to find enough to eat. Finally, the first group of orphans arrived. They raced across the compound for their bottles.

Last week a tiny elephant calf fell in a well in Northern Kenya. The region is currently experiencing a devastating drought. The local Samburu people dig wells for their livestock in riverbeds during the dry season. They bring their animals to drink during the day and elephants take advantage of the wells at night. Unfortunately, sometimes a calf falls in and the elephants are unable to help it out.

I chose to visit Sarara Camp in Northern Kenya, after reading photographer Ami Vitale’s National Geographic story about the launch of the sanctuary in 2017. Reteti is the first community owned and run elephant sanctuary in Africa and the first elephant orphanage to employ women as keepers. Not only are they saving elephants, Reteti is creating employment for women and modeling new roles for young girls.

At a time when the news is dominated with reports of communities in conflict and environmental disasters, I have good news! Caring people are having a direct positive impact on the lives of others. This week’s story is one of gratitude. Special thanks to readers who have donated money or purchased products from my online store. You are making a difference in the lives of people in Kenya and the wildlife they coexist with.

Reteti Elephant Sanctuary is the first indigenous community owned and run elephant rescue orphanage in East Africa. It reflects a growing movement in community focused conservation practices where the local people work to protect the wildlife they have co-existed with for hundreds of years.