PBS Nature to Premiere Reteti Elephant Sanctuary Series

PBS NATURE is premiering a two-part series titled Becoming Elephant: The Orphans of Reteti, Baby Steps on April 8, 2026. The program documents the operations of the Reteti Sanctuary in northern Kenya, which is the first community-owned elephant sanctuary in Africa.

The series follows the journey of orphaned elephants that have been rescued from various threats, including poaching, drought, and human-wildlife conflict. These animals are brought to the sanctuary to be nurtured back to health and prepared for eventual release into the wild.

Community-Led Conservation

The Reteti Sanctuary is distinguished by its community-owned model. The elephants are raised by Samburu keepers who serve as surrogate parents, providing the necessary care and emotional support required for the calves to survive and thrive.

The program captures the transition of the elephants from their earliest days of receiving bottle feedings to the later stages of their development, where older elephants practice the specific skills required for their successful reintegration into the wild.

Individual Journeys of Recovery

The series highlights the stories of specific elephants facing significant challenges. One such calf is Long’uro, who survived a tragic accident as a baby in which he lost most of his trunk to a hyena attack. The program documents how Long’uro is learning to adapt to his disability and find his confidence despite the odds.

Another featured elephant is Kelele, a calf whose future was nearly derailed by a severe illness. The series focuses on the efforts of the sanctuary team to nurse Kelele back from the brink of death.

Through these cases, the series aims to illustrate the deep bond between the human caregivers and the animals, as well as the collective effort of the surrounding community to support the sanctuary’s mission of healing and hope.

Broadcast and Streaming Information

The first episode of Becoming Elephant: The Orphans of Reteti is scheduled to premiere on April 8, 2026, at 8/7c on PBS. In San Diego, the program premieres at 8 p.m. On KPBS TV.

Viewers can also access the content via KPBS+, a free streaming video application available on mobile devices, smart TVs, and Roku.