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Kenya’s Journey Forward

October 23, 2025

Female African elephant Kenya stands facing right standing in front of a line of green trees

Kenya’s caregivers check in with her throughout the day. They want to make sure she knows that we’re here to help her as much as we can, but we also try to be sensitive to the times when she walks away or wants to be on her own. It’s totally normal for a grieving elephant to need both affection and some moments alone. Everyone handles loss in their own way, and we’re here to respect how Kenya wants to process things. 

When we visited her at sunrise, she was very bright eyed and a little silly, but by breakfast time, she’d become more quiet. She snacked slowly rather than scarfing her food, which she is sometimes known to do. Afterward, she wanted some time in the mud wallow, so we left her to her thoughts. Later in the morning, her caregivers saw her looking toward the fence again, so they walked over with the intention of saying hello to her. They offered a small snack and Kenya ate it quickly before perking up and indicating she wanted a bath. At that point, she became really interactive and sweet. 

After lunch she got louder than she’s been in days, making many of her quirky noises and doing a little “tap dance” that she sometimes shows off. All of this demonstrates that emotions are complicated and we can only do our best to understand the nuances of how Kenya will deal with such a dramatic change. You can feel both great happiness and deep sadness in the course of one day. There’s no timeline for how long it will take until Kenya is ready to run back into the woods and take down trees, but she’s doing exactly what she needs to do and we’re proud that she knows she has the space and time to come to terms with her emotions. 

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Comments(20)

  1. REPLY
    Barbara L Smith says
    October 23, 2025 at 2:31 pm

    Kenya knows she is not alone. She is surrounded by people who love and care for her. I would love to see Kenya’s “tap dance”.❤️

  2. REPLY
    Chris says
    October 23, 2025 at 2:50 pm

    Are there any African Elephants coming to the sanctuary?

    • REPLY
      Kara says
      October 23, 2025 at 4:41 pm

      We are continually in process of advocating for elephants in South America to be relocated to sanctuary, but it can take years of negotiations and legal intervention to get them home. It’s unfortunately uncommon for an organization like a zoo or circus to willingly give up an elephant to sanctuary, since they are generally considered big money makers. It is an arduous process, but we will continue to push forward.

      • Chris says
        October 23, 2025 at 6:48 pm

        ‘thank you,

      • Tammy says
        October 24, 2025 at 10:12 am

        Wow, I guess somehow I thought there were no more captive elephants in South America but thats just in Brazil? Sadly there are more Elephants held in zoos and such throughout South America any idea? Thank you!

      • Kara says
        October 24, 2025 at 12:17 pm

        Yes, there are unfortunately many more captive elephants in South America, including Brazil. We spoke of Argentina during Kenya’s relocation, and perhaps that’s what you’re recalling. Kenya was the last captive elephant in Argentina.

  3. REPLY
    Ada says
    October 23, 2025 at 3:34 pm

    Sending you so much love Kenya. It’s a huge consolation that you’re not alone in your grief. Good humans know when to physically be with you as well as to when to let you be on your own. You are so loved sweet girl💕

  4. REPLY
    Joey says
    October 23, 2025 at 3:36 pm

    Oh, Kenya. I am so sorry Pupy is gone and you continue to grieve her passing. I wish she was there with you, enjoying your natural surroundings and all it has to offer. I miss Pupy so much, too, Kenya. We all do. I wish we could tell her in “people” language that over time it will be OK, that we will never forget Pupy or stop loving and missing her just like Kenya is. I wish we could all give her a bunch of hugs and tell her it’ll be OK. Would a stuffed teddy bear to curl up with help? Thank you for the update. We all appreciate it so much. Kenyas is in our thoughts and prayers as she goes through the process as she deems necessary to grieve for our beloved Pupy. Maybe if she was able to see the Asian elephants, but not interacting with them, that would help Kenya feel less alone? Would that help? I’m so sorry, Kenya. I love you, precious girl.

    • REPLY
      Kara says
      October 23, 2025 at 4:42 pm

      The Asian and African habitats are in completely separate parts of the sanctuary. Their habitats don’t meet, so there isn’t a way for them to physically interact. That doesn’t mean they are not communicating, since elephants are very sensitive and “talk” to each other in ways that humans don’t always understand

  5. REPLY
    Wim says
    October 23, 2025 at 4:07 pm

    Very understandably, big personalities encounter equal grieve. Considering her past, this sad period must be very demanding. At the end of the day there’s no time like elephant time. They are brilliant survivors in extreme situations.
    Brightest Blessings dear Kenya. 🍉🐘🫶

  6. REPLY
    Jeanine says
    October 23, 2025 at 4:19 pm

    I hope she feels a bit better everyday. Poor animals go through so much. I am so glad that Kenya has been rescued, and hope that she has another companion in the future.

  7. REPLY
    Elizabeth says
    October 23, 2025 at 4:30 pm

    I’m still so devastated. I can’t imagine what she is feeling.

  8. REPLY
    Alida says
    October 23, 2025 at 6:02 pm

    Oh sweet Kenya, you look sad 😔 stay strong, getting over Pupy’s death will take time, especially when you were just starting to become good friends, you must be missing her so bad, same as I still do. There are better days ahead and you’re surrounded by love at Sanctuary. Love you very much Kenyacita 🐘💕

  9. REPLY
    Alida says
    October 23, 2025 at 6:09 pm

    Hi Sarah, I have a question. Is Kenya being trained to be able to start treating her feet soon? I remember seeing a couple posts saying her feet are in terrible condition.

    • REPLY
      Kara says
      October 23, 2025 at 7:38 pm

      Hi Alida! Yes, training for foot treatment has started. She’s being trained to be closed into the chute, which she wasn’t comfortable with initially, but can now be closed in all 3 chutes. We’re working on back foot presents, which were never done at the zoo because of limitations with training walls, and we’re training her for foot soaks, which still needs work.

      • Alida says
        October 24, 2025 at 4:35 pm

        Thanks for your response Kara, its much appreciated and it’s great to hear our beautiful girl is in training for feet treatment 😊

  10. REPLY
    Maria José Agostinho says
    October 23, 2025 at 8:44 pm

    Thank you for this post and Photo.
    I am puzzled by Pupy’s passing so early
    But we know too little about them.
    We contemplate your work, we send our Best wishes, we fall in love with them.
    That IS It
    I am Very instrospect about Pupy’s passing
    And I send love to Kenya!
    Thank you all
    From São Paulo.

  11. REPLY
    Bonnie says
    October 24, 2025 at 12:03 am

    Kenya needs time and maybe she may act a little different and maybe not Sara you all just be there for her 😇😇😇

  12. REPLY
    Tammy says
    October 24, 2025 at 7:23 am

    Oh Kenya I sure wish I could snap my fingers and take away your heartache but only time can do that but with all this love around you it won’t be long and you will feel much better sending you more love and healing 🙏💞🕊

  13. REPLY
    Beji says
    October 24, 2025 at 9:57 am

    Sweet girl…sending you a big hug

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