A Few Moments With Kenya and Pupy

Many of you have been intently watching every new development with Kenya and Pupy as they meet their new challenges with wonder, curious as to how each would react to meeting the other. Because Kenya’s trip home was so long and she was fairly exhausted, she let us know that initially she needed to rest and get used to all of the things she was being introduced to before meeting someone new. She’s spent the last couple of days getting acclimated to sanctuary life in easy-to-manage bits.

Both African elephants expressed curiosity about each other when Kenya was in the barn, though Pupy almost seemed to be more interested when Kenya was being more subdued. This morning, they were both in easygoing moods and it seemed like an appropriate time to begin introductions. Kenya was in Yard 1 near the barn and Pupy was in Yard 2, and they came together across a common fence line. There was an immediate interest on both parts, but they expressed themselves differently.

As usual, Kenya’s big energy made itself known and Pupy came to the meeting with her own sense of confidence. Kenya showed a little dominance and that seemed to slightly intimidate Pupy. Pupy walked away and about a minute afterward Kenya started rumbling. Scott explained to Kenya that if she wants to have a soft interaction with another elephant, she’d have to approach her in a gentler way. Kenya seems to want an interaction with Pupy but it doesn’t appear that she completely understands how to yet. They had another interaction and Kenya actually adopted a more submissive demeanor, doing her African elephant foot taps and trunk pops. Pupy walked a few steps further but stopped and turned toward Kenya. Pupy is learning that an important part of sanctuary is having the ability to “choose your own adventure,” as they say, and that includes making her own decisions about where to be, when, and with whom.

Our job at this point in the introduction process is to encourage the two ladies while also providing safe spaces for them. Introductions among Asian elephants tend to be more gentle than those of African elephants. That’s not to say that African elephants are always boisterous, but they often approach situations with more emotionality than Asian elephants do. While the Asian elephants might meet each other and exchange gentle touches, African elephants tend to respond to situations quickly and are demonstrative with their feelings. There is often some trunk wrestling, sparring, or a bit of head pushing. We reassured Pupy that she could be brave while asking Kenya to embrace the softer side of her personality. There was a lot of watching each other for a while, glancing at each other, staying relatively close. Overall, it was a positive interaction for both girls. No one stayed in a scared or submissive spot or went to an overly dominant place. They aren’t hyper-focused on each other, which is a good place for them to be, emotionally. And unlike the first time when Kenya got really vocal and silly, Pupy did not go to the other end of the habitat, she stayed within seeing distance. It will be their choice as to whether they want a relationship with each other, and what that timeline looks like, but these early first moments are important to learning that their choices matter.

Comments(23)

Lynn Herrick says
July 11, 2025 at 2:27 pm

My heart!
Cintia Abney says
July 11, 2025 at 2:31 pm

It cracks me up, haha, Kenia charges like a bullet in Pupy’s direction.. Poor Puppy 🩷🩷 hopefully Kenya can tone down her enthusiasm 😋
JoAnn Merriman Eaton says
July 11, 2025 at 2:32 pm

Can one imagine how strange it is to see and smell another elephant unlike anything they have seen before? Kenya definitely not fearful of this new alien and slapping the bar with her trunk! Daddy Scott… ‘That was not necessary Kenya”! Pupy saying “I’m outta here”! 🐘🐘♥️
Linda says
July 11, 2025 at 2:50 pm

Poor Kenya, she seemed so excited she went charging over lol. Intimidated Pupy a bit. It makes sense because Kenya has no idea how to interact with another elephant – if she did it was so long ago when she was a baby before she was taken. She will learn, she certainly seemed eager enough. Pupy will teach her that she only gets the interaction she wants when it is done gently. Such a wonderful thing though.
Kenya, so used to just the sad painting of another elephant on her enclosure wall, must be like “Oh my goodness, this other elephant MOVES!” Good job on everyone for introductions, thank you for sharing!
Barbara L Smith says
July 11, 2025 at 2:51 pm

Let’s be friends, maybe over the fence, maybe side by side. Friendships are built.🙏🏽🐘🐘❤️
- REPLY
  Ben Bruinius says
  July 13, 2025 at 11:23 am
  
  Hi Barbara
Julie says
July 11, 2025 at 3:12 pm

Thank you for the explanation. As much as we all want these previously isolated elephants to be fast friends, that may or may not happen, and if it does, it may take longer than we expect. We just love them both so much.
Sandy Crile says
July 11, 2025 at 3:30 pm

Oh, that Kenya! Considering she hasn’t been near another elephant for 40 years, (seeing another trunk hanging over a wall doesn’t count) I am proud of her, She caught on quickly that she needed to tone it down. I love the trunk offering to Pupy.
Nancy says
July 11, 2025 at 3:37 pm

It’s amazing how fast the African girls are! I know its not possible but I could watch them all day.
Sue says
July 11, 2025 at 4:03 pm

So lovely and interesting getting to watch the Girls meet! Can’t wait to keep watching how things develop and to see what choices the girls make as they continue moving through their new lives!! Thank you for all the videos you are posting for us to watch and enjoy!! ❤️🐘❤️
Alice says
July 11, 2025 at 6:03 pm

Through no fault of her own, Kenya has had no opportunity to learn elephant etiquette in the last 40 years! I do hope in time she and Pupy will decide to be close friends.
Doe Fowler says
July 11, 2025 at 7:13 pm

Fascinating behavior displays. I hope Pupy is okay! What an adjustment for Kenya though, as the last time she was with real elephants was in her youth. She likely never learned the life lessons from a matriarchy. Time will tell what will unfold between these two lovelies. 🤞🏻🙏🏻 💛🐘
Beci says
July 11, 2025 at 10:55 pm

Poor Pupy looked shocked and since Kenya doesn’t know how to be with another elephant she has to learn. All in time, which they have a lot of and will probably become inseparable. Love they are attempting
Elsa says
July 11, 2025 at 11:05 pm

Kenya es un tanto ” intensa “😀
- REPLY
  Sarah Finlayson says
  July 12, 2025 at 6:32 am
  
  Hope Kenya could become friends with Puppy. Poor Kenya doesn’t know how to greet Pupy. May these two elephants get to know each other soon
  Thanks for saving them.
Bonnie says
July 12, 2025 at 1:44 am

is Kenya older then Pupy and it takes time when you meet someone new the girls will be ok
- REPLY
  Sara says
  July 12, 2025 at 8:39 am
  
  That’s very true. Kenya is 44 and Pupy is 35.
Alida says
July 12, 2025 at 2:32 am

I have watched this video so many times 😊 I love both Pupy and Kenya so much ❤️ I think at the end of the video Kenya was extending her trunk to Pupy like saying ‘I’m sorry Pupy I came on too strong, I want to be friends, please come back’ very interesting dynamics LOL they are so beautiful! ❤️🐘❤️🐘❤️
Maggie says
July 12, 2025 at 5:10 am

My goodness there are such big differences in the African ele’s to the Asians.
Kenya is probably overloaded with so many thoughts and emotions in the past 48 hours. I can totally understand why she more or less ran to Pupy, she couldn’t believe there really is another elephant like her as she’s never in the past 40 years seen one.
Darling Pupy was totally overwhelmed by Kenya’s actions. The difference in their personalities seem huge. The fact she came back relatively near to Kenya shows she is very interested in her but understandably a little cautious. I’m sure with your help and guidance they can be friends. As you always say, “all in elephant time”.
Thank you Scott and Kat for sharing this amazing time with us.
Tammy says
July 12, 2025 at 10:47 am

This is all so new and quite intimidating for both of them which in time will lead them to becoming one big beautiful family protecting and loving each other always its amazing to watch this all unfold! 🐘💞🦋🪷
Steven says
July 12, 2025 at 10:47 am

Well written. Thanks for the perspective
Mr Malson says
August 12, 2025 at 3:30 pm

So elegant and powerful.
Mr Malson says
August 12, 2025 at 3:32 pm

Such a peaceful scene

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