[ Elephant trumpets ] NARRATOR: In the wild north of Kenya... [ Elephants trumpeting ] ...the lives of the Samburu people have been entwined with elephants for generations.

♪♪ Now they're reshaping that ancient bond, forging something new, rescuing orphans who have lost everything.

Becoming their mothers, they offer love, care, and wisdom, all to prepare them for one thing -- returning to the wild.

[ Elephant trumpets ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Elephants grunting ] ♪♪ NARRATOR: At Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, the Samburu are reacting to the pressures of a rapidly changing world.

Taking matters into their own hands, they have set up a project unlike any other in Africa.

DOROTHY: Good boy.

NARRATOR: Baby elephants, some only weeks old, arrive here for all kinds of reasons, from poaching to falling into water holes.

DOROTHY: Mm.

[ Elephant squeaks ] [ Elephant grunts ] NARRATOR: From tiny beginnings, Reteti is now home to 47 elephants.

But learning how to survive in the wild happens beyond the sanctuary gates.

♪♪ ♪♪ The youngest of Reteti's three herds is just beginning to absorb the world around them.

DOROTHY: [ Speaks a global language ] NARRATOR: Guiding them on this first step towards eventually rewilding... DOROTHY: [ Vocalizing ] NARRATOR: ...is keeper Dorothy.

DOROTHY: No!

Don't be jealous.

Kiss, kiss.

[ Chuckles ] [ Chuckles ] [ Speaks a global language ] NARRATOR: Little Naisimari is one of the newest arrivals, found abandoned and alone.

[ Elephant grunting ] DOROTHY: Let's go.

[ Elephant grunts ] ♪♪ ♪♪ NARRATOR: Over the years, Reteti keepers have become experts in raising orphans and treating their ailments.

ROWE: There you go.

That's perfect.

Hold on.

Let's see if he likes that.

We want him to eat, but because he's so dehydrated, we don't want him to be at risk of colicking.

MAN: Yeah.

NARRATOR: Co-founder Katie helped the Samburu people set up Reteti in 2016.

ROWE: [ Chuckles ] [ Elephant grunts ] You got to get better.

The team here are just incredible.

These elephants have been raised by the community.

All the keepers know elephants, and they've lived, coexisted with them.

So they've got this inherent knowledge of how elephants behave in the wild.

So there's just ancient wisdom that exists here.

♪♪ NARRATOR: Assistant head keeper Naomi is looking for the second of Reteti's three herds who roam farther afield.

[ Elephant grunting ] LESHONGORO: [ Speaks a global language ] NARRATOR: Unlike the youngest group, these 3- to 5-year-olds are boisterous, like teenagers testing their boundaries.

[ Elephant trumpets ] LESHONGORO: Hi.

[ Speaks a global language ] ♪♪ NARRATOR: Trying to find his way in the second group is 3-year-old Long'uro.

LESHONGORO: [ Speaks a global language ] [ Speaks a global language ] NARRATOR: Long'uro lost his trunk when he was just a few weeks old.

♪♪ ♪♪ LESHONGORO: Yeah.

[ Speaks a global language ] [ Speaks a global language ] NARRATOR: After his injuries healed... LESHONGORO: [ Speaks a global language ] NARRATOR: ...Long'uro, at just 8 months old, had to develop his own ways to survive.

♪♪ LESHONGORO: [ Speaks a global language ] So, let's go.

[ Speaks a global language ] ♪♪ ♪♪ NARRATOR: Farther out from the sanctuary, more advanced lessons are taking place with Reteti's oldest orphans... [ Dramatic music playing ] [ Elephant trumpets ] ...the Release Herd.

♪♪ ♪♪ In six months, they could make history if they can be successfully returned to the vast, unfenced landscape they came from.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ Colman is teaching this third group, aged 6 to 7, to navigate the terrain far beyond camp.

Raised on the flat plains, they'll need to become mountaineers if they want to roam freely.

Weighing in at around one ton, they're not built for nimbleness.

The Release Herd also needs to learn to stay together, mimicking the structure of a wild herd, with the matriarch taking the lead.

LESOWAPIR: [ Speaks a global language ] NARRATOR: And one female is already stepping up.

LESOWAPIR: [ Speaks a global language ] [ Elephant grunts ] NARRATOR: During her seven years at Reteti, Kapai has gently taken on the role of looking after the group.

[ Dramatic music playing ] LESOWAPIR: [ Speaks a global language ] ♪♪ NARRATOR: One of the elephants is missing.

LESOWAPIR: [ Speaks a global language ] NARRATOR: Kelele, the smallest and most vulnerable of the herd, is nowhere to be seen.

[ Elephant trumpets ] Colman's search brings him all the way back to the sanctuary.

LESOWAPIR: [ Speaks a global language ] Find some branches to give him.

Come on, come on, come on, Kelele.

[ Chuckles ] Don't be aggressive.

Come on.

Come, please.

Come on.

Come on.

Come on.

NARRATOR: 6-year-old Kelele is small for his age... ...and known for throwing his weight around.

But this kind of temper hints that something's not right.

LESOWAPIR: [ Speaks a global language ] NARRATOR: While they try to find out what's wrong, Kelele is put into sickbay.

♪♪ [ Elephant trumpets ] ♪♪ [ Elephant trumpets ] As the day draws to a close, everyone returns to the safety of the sanctuary.

[ Elephants trumpeting ] The middle herd hasn't lost any of its energy.

[ Elephants grunting ] ♪♪ LESHONGORO: [ Speaks a global language ] [ Laughs ] [ Elephants grunting ] [ Elephants grunting ] Making -- [ Laughs ] [ Elephants grunting ] [ Elephants trumpeting ] [ Elephants grunting ] ♪♪ ♪♪ NARRATOR: It might seem like fun and games... ...but the bonds that play creates help build a tight-knit group, crucial for survival in the wild.

The trunk is key to all of this.

It's used to touch, comfort, and build connections.

♪♪ ♪♪ [ Elephant grunts ] ♪♪ ♪♪ To have any chance of thriving as an adult, Long'uro needs to step out of his shell and join in the play.

♪♪ [ Indistinct speaking ] ♪♪ [ Elephant grunting ] At night, the babies sleep safely within the sanctuary.

LESHONGORO: [ Singing in a global language ] [ Smooching ] NARRATOR: And the youngest babies get some extra love from their keepers.

LESHONGORO: [ Singing in a global language ] [ Singing continues ] [ Speaks a global language ] [ Singing in a global language ] [ Elephant grunts ] ♪♪ ♪♪ NARRATOR: Each day in Samburu begins as it has for generations... ...with rhythms shaped by nature and tradition.

[ Chanting in a global language ] ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Chanting in a global language ] [ Elephant grunts ] At Reteti, they have a ritual of their own.

[ Chanting in a global language ] ♪♪ In the absence of their mothers, this bottle feed offers comfort and nourishment while strengthening bonds with the keepers.

[ Elephant grunts ] [ Chanting in a global language ] Each orphan needs half a gallon of milk every three hours, day and night.

[ Chanting in a global language ] [ Elephants trumpeting ] ♪♪ ♪♪ So feeding the 47 elephants of Reteti... [ Elephant trumpets ] ...is no small feat.

[ Birds chirping ] [ Goats bleating ] Instead of using expensive formula like other sanctuaries... [ Singing in a global language ] ...the team has pioneered a sustainable solution... ...that involves the whole community.

A thousand local women, known as the Milk Mamas, sell their fresh goat milk to Reteti, with drop off points across the region.

WOMAN: Six and a half.

[ Conversations in a global language ] ♪♪ [ Elephant grunting ] [ Elephant trumpets ] LESOWAPIR: Come here, little boy.

NARRATOR: Back in the sickbay, the physical signs of Kelele's illness are now painfully apparent, with infections breaking out on his body.

LESOWAPIR: You'll get well.

You'll get well.

Don't worry.

LOLNGOJINE: [ Speaks a global language ] Okay.

[ Clicking ] [ Speaks a global language ] NARRATOR: At the sanctuary's lab, Colman is processing a sample of Kelele's dung with vet Joseph.

LOLNGOJINE: 600.

Okay.

So, Colman... LESOWAPIR: Mm-hmm?

Yeah, absolutely.

LOLNGOJINE: Yes.

NARRATOR: The large number of parasites could be fatal.

Kelele immediately begins a course of anti-parasite medication alone in quarantine.

♪♪ Falling ill now is a cruel blow to his chances for release.

♪♪ ♪♪ [ Birds chirping ] Everyone is at a different stage of their rewilding journey.

LOWAKUTUK: Ha!

[ Chuckles ] NARRATOR: Dorothy's group is just starting theirs.

[ Elephant trumpets ] LOWAKUTUK: [ Chuckles ] Bah!

Shh!

NARRATOR: And today's lesson... LOWAKUTUK: [ Speaks a global language ] NARRATOR: ...is exploring new terrain.

LOWAKUTUK: Ha!

[ Chuckles ] [ Elephant trumpets ] ♪♪ [ Speaks a global language ] Good girl!

You know, you're a nice girl.

[ Elephant grunts ] NARRATOR: Over the last few weeks, furry Naisimari has fully accepted Dorothy as her surrogate mother.

LOWAKUTUK: Hi.

Hi, honey.

Hi, honey.

NARRATOR: And the bond is making all the difference.

LOWAKUTUK: [ Vocalizing ] [ Chuckles ] NARRATOR: Dorothy is teaching them a crucial survival skill they need to learn -- how to cope with the intense heat of northern Kenya.

[ Elephant grunts] LOWAKUTUK: Happy, happy sound.

[ Chuckles ] NARRATOR: The dust forms a protective layer over their sensitive skin, shielding them from the sun's rays and helping to keep biting insects at bay.

LOWAKUTUK: Kiss, kiss.

[ Chuckles ] [ Speaks a global language ] ♪♪ [ Elephant trumpets ] NARRATOR: Back at camp... ...it's playtime again.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ And with Naomi stepping back, Long'uro is finally starting to get involved.

♪♪ [ Elephant grunts ] ♪♪ [ Elephant trumpets ] Just as Long'uro is getting the hang of play fighting, the group is raising the bar.

[ Elephant squeals ] ♪♪ Mounting is a critical skill males must master, not just for future mating.

It's about holding their place in the group's hierarchy.

The trunk provides support to help balance during this tricky maneuver.

[ Elephant grunting ] Without it, Long'uro is at a clear disadvantage.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Birds chirping ] Reteti's doors are always open to other animals in need.

But the latest arrivals are a first for the sanctuary.

♪♪ These seven Somali ostrich chicks are just weeks old.

♪♪ LENGEES: [ Laughs ] ♪♪ NARRATOR: Despite their gangly appearance, these chicks will grow into one of the fastest animals on the savanna, clocking up speeds of almost 45 miles per hour.

LENGEES: [ Clicking tongue ] [ Cooing ] NARRATOR: But the youngest has a way to go.

Somali ostrich chicks usually walk a few days after hatching.

♪♪ But this chick has been struggling for the last week.

♪♪ The keepers are always there to lend a helping hand.

♪♪ ♪♪ And their patience is starting to pay off.

It'll be a while before this chick can reach its potential.

♪♪ While some animals are finding their feet... LEWASOL: [ Chuckles ] NARRATOR: ...others can't seem to say goodbye.

These giraffes were successfully rewilded two years ago.

LEWASOL: [ Chuckles ] NARRATOR: Yet they regularly return to visit.

LEWASOL: [ Laughing ] [ Chuckles ] [ Chuckles ] [ Radio beeps ] [ Dramatic music playing ] LESOWAPIR: [ Speaks a global language ] [ Speaks a global language ] [ Elephant trumpets ] NARRATOR: A huge wild bull has broken in to Kelele's quarantine pen.

♪♪ [ Elephant trumpets ] [ Elephants grunting ] LESOWAPIR: Wow, wow, wow.

♪♪ [ Elephant trumpets ] Oh, my God.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ Wow.

[ Elephant grunts ] ♪♪ Wow.

[ Speaks a global language ] NARRATOR: In the wild, mature bulls act as mentors to younger males, passing on survival skills, as well as social and cultural knowledge.

♪♪ ♪♪ It's now four months until the oldest herd is released into the vast landscape... ♪♪ ...free to roam among the nomadic Samburu people herding livestock.

It's not an easy coexistence.

Elephants can be dangerous.

For the release to succeed, manager Peter needs the community's backing.

[ Warriors chanting in a global language ] LENASALIA: [ Speaks a global language ] [ Dramatic music playing ] WARRIOR: [ Speaks a global language ] RANGER: [ Speaks a global language ] WARRIORS: [ Speaks a global language ] [ Warriors chanting in a global language ] [ Warriors chanting in a global language ] [ Elephant trumpets ] NARRATOR: Long'uro's friendship with herd mate Lodosoit has been going from strength to strength.

[ Elephants grunting ] The pair regularly engage in play.

But Long'uro still can't mount.

LESHONGORO: [ Laughs ] ♪♪ ♪♪ NARRATOR: By taking advantage of elevated positions, Long'uro is training his core muscles and honing his balance.

♪♪ ♪♪ [ Elephant grunting ] ♪♪ ♪♪ Long'uro's persistence has finally paid off.

♪♪ [ Elephant grunts ] [ Elephants grunting ] Overcoming his disability, Long'uro has found his place in the herd and will continue to learn and grow.

[ Elephants grunting ] [ Elephant trumpets ] The keepers give every animal here the space to adapt, no matter their challenge.

♪♪ ♪♪ With gentle coaching, the young ostrich chick who could not stand is now walking tall, fully fledged at six weeks old.

♪♪ ♪♪ Her progress has been so strong, she's even become the leader of the flock.

♪♪ [ Elephant trumpets ] This time has been healing for other animals, too.

LESOWAPIR: [ Speaks a global language ] Come on.

NARRATOR: Kelele has fully recovered from his infection... ...and has been given the all-clear to rejoin his herd.

[ Elephant grunts ] ♪♪ [ Elephant trumpets ] ♪♪ [ Elephant grunts ] ♪♪ Kelele's return to his herd is just in time.

[ Elephant trumpets ] There are only 40 days until their release.

[ Elephants grunting ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ROWE: They're looking so healthy.

Those tusks are pretty impressive, so they're well prepared, you know?

They've got everything in their favor.

NARRATOR: Co-founder Katie has every confidence they'll thrive in their natural habitat.

ROWE: It's taken a few years, but in a few weeks' times, to see elephants walking out of here, back out in the wild, it's a pretty big milestone.

NARRATOR: In the wild, without human guidance... [ Elephant grunts ] ...they'll need to find natural resources for themselves... [ Elephant grunts ] ...especially water.

♪♪ [ Elephant grunts ] ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Elephants grunting ] As their time at Reteti comes to a close, they're proving they've learned the skills to make it in the wild together.

♪♪ ♪♪ [ Dramatic music playing ] [ Woman speaking a global language over radio ] Next time at Reteti... WOMAN #1: Well done, well done!

WOMAN #2: [ Speaks a global language ] NARRATOR: ...the dry season brings new arrivals to care for... WOMAN: [ Speaks a global language ] [ Crowd chanting in a global language ] [ Elephant trumpets ] NARRATOR: ...and goodbyes that won't be easy... [ Woman crying ] ...while Long'uro and his herd... LESHONGORO: [ Speaks a global language ] NARRATOR: ...still need to show they've learned what it takes to become elephant.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ To learn more about what you've seen on this "Nature" program, visit pbs.org.

♪♪