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A Crate For Kenya

Kenya, the female African elephant scheduled to come to sanctuary this year, has officially gotten her transport crate! In addition to completing her bloodwork and quarantine requirements, she now has access to the crate attached to her enclosure at Ecoparque Mendoza. Marcos, an Elephant Sanctuary Brazil caregiver, who worked with Johanna, a vet from Fondation Franz Weber on Kenya’s training for quarantine testing, is there now working with her to introduce her to this new environment. 

The process is still new for Kenya, but she’s approaching it with a curious sensibility. She’s going all the way inside, but isn’t yet 100% comfortable. As we saw with Pupy, getting used to the crate needs to happen on their own time, and each elephant is different. So we will follow Kenya’s lead with her explorations of her new ‘toy’. 

The team at the ecoparque posted security cameras which allow us to see if Kenya is going inside at night when no one is around to influence her actions, and she is. The videos also have sound, so you can hear her rumbling when she goes inside, and since it doesn’t sound like a nervous rumble, we’ll take it as a positive and very charming sign. As we all know, it can take a little while for some elephants to be certain about a new place like a crate, although some decide they are ready to go right away. We’re letting Kenya get to know things on elephant time. 

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Comments(20)

  1. REPLY
    Cintia says

    Awn, she picked a hat! 🩷🩷

    • REPLY
      Bonnie says

      She’s so tall and her legs are long but putting the hay on her head what a character that was so funny

  2. REPLY
    elaine richard says

    Your updates always come just when I need something good and caring to counterbalance some ghastly piece of news. Bless you for what you do, and keep doing.

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      This is wonderful to hear! I hope your day is improved with this news!

  3. REPLY
    Nancy says

    maybe you answered this but why are her tusks so short?

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      They aren’t unusually short, though she does have one tusk that grows improperly. Tusk length is dependent on lots of things, but length is primarily determined by genetics.

  4. REPLY
    Raven says

    OMGOODNESS!!! That is such wonderful news!
    I think it was four years? I first asked about her coming home!!!
    Looking forward to seeing this beautiful lady in the paradise she deserves! ❤️

  5. REPLY
    Maureen says

    How very exciting! And she has a lovely way of transporting her hay out. I’m sure it leaves her trunk available to carry more. So adorable!!!

  6. REPLY
    Sandy Crile says

    I’m in love! What a “hat” she chose for herself!

  7. REPLY
    Sue says

    Thank you for the update on beautiful Kenya! So exciting to watch the progress and to be lucky enough to get to observe. Thank you as always for everything you do!!! ❤️❤️🐘❤️❤️

  8. REPLY
    Carol says

    Wowwww!!! Gorgeous girl🙌🏻🎉💃🏻🙏🏻🫶🏻

  9. REPLY
    Carolyn Clarke says

    Such exciting news. We all expected Pupy to arrive at Sanctuary before Kenya, but if Kenya becomes comfortable in the crate we may see her arrive first.

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      I guess we’ll find out who is ready first!

  10. REPLY
    Tammy says

    Oh my goodness watching Kenya just warmed my heart she’s getting ready to pack up and head for freedom! And that new style of hay hat looks absolutely fabulous on her! You go girl can’t wait til you step foot on Sanctuary soil and meet your sisters your new loving silly amazing family! Love and hugs to all 🪷🐘🦋🐘💞

  11. REPLY
    Jeanine says

    Please darling Kenya get used to the crate as quickly as possible. ❤️

  12. REPLY
    Patricia says

    Precious Kenya! What a smart and beautiful girl you are! 💖💗💖

  13. REPLY
    Marcia says

    She is SO cute! I’m in love already! Curious to see and understand how the two different types of elephants will interact and/or play out in their different sections of Sanctuary.

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      They won’t have any direct contact, though there will be a corridor separating the two habitats. I’m sure they’ll be able to hear each other and communicate if they choose to.

  14. REPLY
    Charlotte Hansen says

    Exciting news!!

  15. REPLY
    Julie says

    Kenya’s story is what brought me to know ESB. I’m grateful to her for this gift and wish her all the love I have. Love you sweetheart, and safe travels. You cannot imagine what’s at the end of your journey. What a happy surprise you’ll get.