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Sunday Smile: New Dirt Piles for Baby

August 2, 2026

Female Asian elephant named Baby lies down on a red dirt pile

Since her first day at sanctuary, Baby has shown us that she really enjoys dirt. Whether she’s tossing it on herself, resting upon it, or rolling in it, she really seems to enjoy the sensation of the soft dirt. Sometimes, we refresh the piles in the barn so she can recline on it and give herself the exfoliating scratches she needs. This week’s Sunday Smile really shows off the sanctuary red color that Baby is taking on.

Because she seems to delight in covering herself with dirt, we’ve created a couple of new towers of dirt outside the barn where she can dust and nap or lean against if she chooses. And it’s easy enough to refresh the dirt, scooping and piling it up with the backhoe, with her closed out of the yard for safety. So far, she’s using the piles outside about as much as the ones in the barn. It’s nice to see her actually reclining there, demonstrating that she’s becoming more comfortable relaxing and showing vulnerability.

Photo of Baby reclining on one of her brand-new dirt piles

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Comments(25)

  1. REPLY
    Johnny says
    August 2, 2026 at 2:05 pm

    You guys are the best! Always thinking of “the girls” and what they want and need.

    • REPLY
      Victor L Mojica says
      August 3, 2026 at 1:15 pm

      I Love Elephants And Rhinoceroses I Hate Hunter’s And Poachers Animal’s Of The World Deserve Respect ,Love And Understanding 🙏✌️😎

      • Virginia Williams says
        August 4, 2026 at 5:56 pm

        How 😋 sweet and 😍

      • Norman Mackay says
        August 7, 2026 at 10:48 am

        YES!!
        Elephants and Rhinos are WONDERFUL gifts to the world 💝

    • REPLY
      Connie Tucker says
      August 4, 2026 at 5:23 pm

      Oh my goodness, she is absolutely beautiful♥️!

  2. REPLY
    Sue says
    August 2, 2026 at 2:08 pm

    Made me think about how much fun a sandbox was when I was little, and how cooling it could be as you dug down deeper. I am so happy you are able to provide this beautiful soft red dirt for her which she so clearly enjoys! ❤️🐘❤️

  3. REPLY
    Barbara L Smith says
    August 2, 2026 at 2:19 pm

    Baby is a picture of a relaxed comfortable elephant. ❤️

  4. REPLY
    Bonnie Guerra says
    August 2, 2026 at 3:42 pm

    Precious

  5. REPLY
    Ada says
    August 2, 2026 at 3:55 pm

    Baby girl knows she’s in her forever home, with her forever human family, and soon will meet her forever ele family💗🥰

  6. REPLY
    Elise N Zoli says
    August 2, 2026 at 7:06 pm

    Yaayyyyy!!!

  7. REPLY
    Alida says
    August 2, 2026 at 8:44 pm

    It is so lovely to see Baby feeling comfortable and safe, her new skin colour is just beautiful, she looks so healthy ❤️🐘❤️ thank you Scott, Kat and the SEB Team for giving this sweet girl the life she’s never been able to have before ✨🙌💫 This photo truly made me smile 🥰

  8. REPLY
    Virginia says
    August 3, 2026 at 3:16 pm

    She is safe and knows it she is happy

  9. REPLY
    Leslie Rodriguez says
    August 3, 2026 at 9:50 pm

    Amazing 🥲. Taking a care of animals is one of the highest honors this world has to offer.

  10. REPLY
    Janelle says
    August 3, 2026 at 10:50 pm

    Thank you for what you do.

  11. REPLY
    Beverley Schmidt says
    August 4, 2026 at 3:24 am

    Aawww that news is sooo heart warming..they she feels safe and loved…..thank you sooo much…I love a successful growth…they deserve all the good in life……May God continue to bless you all….🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🙌😇🙏💖

  12. REPLY
    Leeann says
    August 4, 2026 at 6:26 am

    Thank you for your great work with the elephants.

  13. REPLY
    tammyherd3@gmail.com says
    August 4, 2026 at 9:45 am

    Where’s her Mother?

    • REPLY
      Sara says
      August 4, 2026 at 12:11 pm

      Her mother died years ago.

  14. REPLY
    Diane Trelenberg says
    August 4, 2026 at 12:20 pm

    I’m so thankful there are organizations that focus on helping elephants and other wildlife thrive in a dangerous world!! Thank you for your hard work!!

  15. REPLY
    Sherry Potter says
    August 4, 2026 at 1:53 pm

    Roll, roll ,roll your dirt gently up the hill:merrily,
    merrily, merrily, life is such good FUN! ELEPHANT FAN

  16. REPLY
    Sharon says
    August 4, 2026 at 7:22 pm

    You are doing such a valuable mission. I love wildlife and especially Elephants. They are truly beautiful creatures with a profound spirit. I wish our species had been better stewards of this beautiful planet and valued the gift our unique wildlife bring to our experience. It takes so much to grow an elephant or a whale or all other animals ! Once there gone , there is no bringing them back. We could choose better priorities and value what has been given us that is not material or superficial. Thank you for caring and saving these magnificent creatures❤️ you are angels.

  17. REPLY
    Kara Reeves Noris says
    August 4, 2026 at 9:47 pm

    I love seeing her relaxing against one of her dirt piles 😍

  18. REPLY
    Jacqui Tomaszewski says
    August 4, 2026 at 9:49 pm

    Thank you for helping her. She seems happy 😊

  19. REPLY
    Sandra Gilleland says
    August 5, 2026 at 7:39 pm

    So sweet!

  20. REPLY
    Maureen C. Allen says
    August 10, 2026 at 12:51 pm

    Dirt is vastly underrated, except by certain creatures
    (not counting the dung beetle lol!). Baby’s making up for decades without her natural insect repellent and sunscreen! This lovely evidence of her calm, contented return to normal life testifies to your wisdom and devotion.

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