Baby Wanders Near the Pond

Female Asian elephant named Baby walks toward the camera with a blue sky and palm tree behind Baby is getting braver and braver, exploring her new habitat with more confidence and curiosity. After breakfast, she headed out into the yards and out of her caregivers’ sight. When they returned a while later to clean the barn, they closed the barn and were curious to see if Baby might come back to check in. But Baby only popped up visually for the rare occasion, which was a promising development.

Later in the afternoon, Baby was spotted near the pond and she was covered in mud, so it’s possible she went in the pond when no one was looking or just gave herself a good coating from the perimeter. When Baby first arrived, she’d hurry to the fence when she saw a human or heard the 4-wheeler. But this time, when people came around, she stayed by the pond and didn’t head to the fence until she heard food being dropped on the ground. This is wonderful because it seems to show that her curiosity about the world around her is starting to shift to being greater than her need to be around people. That evening, she didn’t return to the barn for night feed, she waited for delivery via 4-wheeler, which is another excellent example of how she’s embracing her new home.

Picture of Baby with a palm behind her

Comments(20)

Rachel says
June 29, 2026 at 1:18 pm

Wonderful news! Thanks for the update. 💕
- REPLY
  Pamela Prentice says
  July 1, 2026 at 5:41 pm
  
  Wonderful news that I can relate to. For medical reasons, we are fostering our neighbors cat, and while my roommate originally looked after her in her own apartment, a new cat visiting with a relative necessitated our moving her to our apartment to avoid territory issues. At first we had to sit with her in our living room while she adjusted to a new place for her litter box. And the next step was encouraging to come to bed at night instead of crying we left the living room. We then encouraged her up a new cat tree so she could look out the window. Today she let the bedroom when we got up and she has remained out in the living room, by herself for most of the day. We are so relieved that she has settled in so well. Fosters are with us only until they are able to return to where they belong and it’s our job to make sure they’re loved in the short term. You can see that the elephants are so well taken care of in the rescue and I love reading about their journeys to release.
Doe Fowler says
June 29, 2026 at 1:31 pm

Wonderful news! 🐘 Baby’s skin looks radiant in the picture.
Carmen Dalziel says
June 29, 2026 at 1:43 pm

Baby’s got her new palm hat on! How lovely is she in all her frills 😍 It’s so awesome to know how well our silly girl is adopting to her surroundings and embracing her new and wonderful world. I keep watching her bath videos over and over again – I just can’t get enough of seeing her contortions of sheer bliss! 🐘💝
Ada says
June 29, 2026 at 1:46 pm

She’s realizing this is her home now. Freedom is looking very good on you Baby girl💗🥰
Sharon Klesse says
June 29, 2026 at 2:13 pm

So exciting! What a relief ! Here’s to a great future with you!
Patricia Aguilar says
June 29, 2026 at 4:09 pm

You do know that the palm appears to be an exotically flamboyant hat? She’s lovely with or without.
Julie says
June 29, 2026 at 8:38 pm

Oh Baby, it is bittersweet that you are leaving us so soon. While reading this I felt the sting of my own empty nest all over again. On the sweet side, I am so happy for you, Baby, enjoying your sanctuary!
- REPLY
  Renee says
  July 5, 2026 at 4:26 am
  
  So good to hear of Baby’s progress of exploring & enjoying the forest on her own. I hope some fellow elephants join her at least sometimes. How do these orphan elephants know to swim & put mud on themselves & have other elephant behavior without their mom’s showing them what to do?
  - Kat Blais says
    July 5, 2026 at 3:15 pm
    
    it’s just an innate part of their being.
Carey says
June 29, 2026 at 9:40 pm

Excellent!!! 👌 Such good news, thank you!
Jane Van Haaften says
June 30, 2026 at 9:40 pm

What a darling baby elephant!!! Prayers of safety and good health for her!
Carol McRae says
July 1, 2026 at 3:55 am

Baby is so beautiful
Joanie says
July 1, 2026 at 12:51 pm

Such a Beautiful Beautiful Girl! So Hopefully she will be blessed with good health!!! 🤗🤗
Joyce Allen says
July 1, 2026 at 1:45 pm

She is doing well
Cathy says
July 1, 2026 at 9:01 pm

Thank you to the caregivers for giving her the confidence that she needs and a safe place for her to roam
Ella Ferry says
July 1, 2026 at 9:24 pm

What a beautiful story of bravery and trust towards humans. God Bless Baby🐘❤️🙏
Linda K Moore says
July 4, 2026 at 9:02 pm

I love hearing about Baby’s enjoy her new home. I am retired, so money is tight. Wish I could give. Thank you for the updates. It bring me hope .
Jovita Adams says
July 5, 2026 at 3:36 pm

Awe! Elephants are so precious. Shut down every circus and rodeos also. God says, we are to regard the life of animals . Stop all this evil trophy hunting and poaching also King Jesus. All these animals deserve to be loved and cared for and have a peaceful life . Thank you for sharing this and God bless you in Jesus name😊❤️
Maureen C. Allen says
July 6, 2026 at 9:30 am

Baby’s smooth orientation to freedom in nature is a testament to your wisdom and knowledge. She looks confident, curious, content.

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