Photographs by Ami Vitale / National Geographic. Joseph Lolngojine, a Samburu warrior turned elephant caretaker, watches over Kinya. Moments after this photo was taken, it was decided to bring her to the sanctuary to try to save her life.
Photographs by Ami Vitale / National Geographic. Samburu warriors found this baby trapped in a hand-dug well. When the elephant's herd didn't come back for her, the team took her to the sanctuary. Dubbed Kinya, she was given loving care by keepers such as Rimland Lemojong. Even so, she died weeks later.
Photographs by Ami Vitale / National Geographic. Sasha Dorothy Lowuekuduk mixes formula for the babies. "The sanctuary has changed my feelings about elephants," she says proudly.
Photographs by Ami Vitale / National Geographic. A feel-good dirt bath is just the thing in the heat of the day. A coating of soil helps protect sensitive elephant skin by acting as both sunscreen and insect repellent. Shaba (lying down) demonstrates how it's done for the younger orphans.
Photographs by Ami Vitale / National Geographic. Samburu warriors found this baby trapped in a hand-dug well. When the elephant's herd didn't come back for her, the team took her to the sanctuary. Dubbed Kinya, she was given loving care by keepers such as Rimland Lemojong. Even so, she died weeks later.
