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Every day, Rana gets treatment for her feet and the pressure sore on her elbow. She’s been dealing with these issues for years, long before sanctuary. Both things were at least partially caused by contact with hard, often unsanitary, inorganic surfaces. (You can read more about Rana’s health history here.) Mara usually gets her own evaluations a couple of times a week. She had an abscess on her neck and, like Rana, has an old pressure sore that developed years ago. Caregivers also check her sulcus around her right tush that broke at some point in her past. Both also get tick checks and removal. Often, they get checked out by caregivers in the barn, but if they are in Yard 4, the annex is also a convenient spot, and if they are deep in the habitat, at a training wall along the fence.

On this particular morning, Dr. Mateus had given them treatment in the annex. Afterward, caregivers encouraged them to walk in a different direction so that they could clean near the annex; the elephants were amazing and followed without any delay. The girls both got some hay for their willingness to scoot over, and they grazed along the fence line for a good bit of time. Eventually, they headed farther into the habitat to find more greenery to snack on. Not too long after that, the rain started and–you guessed it–they headed toward the pond, which has been an in-demand spot lately when showers move in.

P.S.: It’s almost Valentine’s Day and, if you have an elephant sweetheart (or many), please consider giving to the Friends of Global Sanctuary for Elephants holiday hay fundraiser. High-quality hay is essential to providing elephants with the balanced nutrition they need each day, but it can be costly. Friends of GSE is raising funds to purchase a 10-week supply of hay for the girls. While we can’t offer a Valentine’s Day dinner with the elephants, this is the next best thing. Give today.