A Follow-up on Pupy With Scott

It’s been a few days since Scott and Dr. Trish left Pupy and Ecoparque Buenos Aires. We’ve had several people ask if the two of them are disappointed to have to return to the sanctuary without Pupy. On the first day after leaving the ecoparque, they were doing a lot of decompressing as the adrenaline from the week was leaving their bodies. We asked Scott to put his feelings into words, if he could.

“We’re wishing the situation was different, but at the end of the day, we’re remembering where we are and what we do, and thinking back to that last day when we really talked to her,” said Scott. “We kept saying, ‘Let us know if you want to do this. Now is the time, you just have to help us.’ And she kept her back feet farther out of the crate than ever. On top of her being extra watchful that day, it was a clear ‘no’.”

Since then, the ecoparque staff had a meeting with their care team, trainers, and supervisors. We know there will be several staff members working with Pupy who are on board with the things we discussed they could try and how they could switch things up, while still keeping some of her routine. Everyone will have a lot less fear going forward. One of the biggest things holding the trainers back was their worry about upsetting Pupy. For that reason, they were reserved with desensitizing her to noise and movement, which is important for an elephant who is going to be on the road for several days. Now they know it’s okay for Pupy to have moments of questioning or frustration, which you have to listen to–but you shouldn’t be afraid of. African elephants are very reactionary; they will respond quickly and strongly, but they don’t usually hold onto those things. The same behaviors from an Asian elephant would mean something very different.

Scott related, “As far as what we’re feeling now, it’s certainly disappointing. There’s a little bit of a feeling like I didn’t do what I was supposed to; I didn’t get the job done. But at the same time, somewhere in the back of my brain and my heart, I know the scenario wasn’t ideal. We tried a lot of different things and it’s a complicated situation. We know all we can do is take the next steps for her and give her a chance.”

Hopefully, those next steps will be what Pupy needs and she can find comfort in allowing the back door of her transport crate to be closed with a little more confidence and tranquility.

Photo of Scott with Pupy

Comments(20)

Patricia says
March 3, 2025 at 2:23 pm

My heart is aching for Pupy. I am praying that she can accept the crate and its closed door. I pray that the humans are united in their loving goals for Pupy. 🙏🏼💞🙏🏼
Barbara Smith says
March 3, 2025 at 2:25 pm

I pray Pupy accepts that closed cage door. She would have to remain calm during the entire trip. That’s another concern. I don’t remember his name, but that gentleman who helped train Pocha and Guille for their trip. Maybe he could help. His voice is calming as a lullaby, I believe if he told Pupy, it’s ok. She believe it.
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  Beth says
  March 4, 2025 at 9:25 am
  
  Sweet Pupy had to let go of her beloved friend who died. Now she is being asked to let go of the home she’s known for so long. She needs time. Thank you for understanding her feelings. It would be a lot for a human to go through! Love you Pupy and wonderful caregivers.❤️🙏
Shirley says
March 3, 2025 at 2:53 pm

Has Pupy shown any forward progress, gained some more confidence since Scott and Dr. Trish left the ecoparque? I’m sure it’s so hard for her to think about leaving a place she’s been familiar with for so long and trust that moving on will be a good thing. She’ll come around… Sweet Pupy! We got choo girl!
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  Sara says
  March 3, 2025 at 2:59 pm
  
  She’s working on it, slowly but surely.
Rocío says
March 3, 2025 at 2:57 pm

Qué ansiedad! Entiendo que el proceso es lento, y ojalá Pupy pronto deje su miedo atrás, si tan solo pudiera entender la hermosa vida que le espera 🙂
Lástima que en el camino que tienen programado no pasen por Corrientes Capital, me hubiera gustado ver su traslado.
Los mejores deseos para que pronto inicien la travesía 🙂
Jeanine says
March 3, 2025 at 3:20 pm

I am really sorry about this. I hope eventually she will allow the gate to be closed. Poor animals don’t know. Thank you to Scott and everyone involved for being so patient with Pupy.❤️
Lynn says
March 3, 2025 at 3:51 pm

I feel a great sense of pride that I support an organization that truly lets the animals they support be heard. I think you’re doing EXACTLY what you’re supposed to be doing. Thank you.
Elizabeth Ormerod says
March 3, 2025 at 4:31 pm

Wishing for the best with Pupy so she will be able to travel GSE & a better life! Hopefully she will get the message from her caregivers that she has nothing to worry about. ♥️ 🐘
Ann Stewart says
March 3, 2025 at 6:21 pm

I’ve learned so much about elephants over the years from Scott & Kat: among their other qualities, they’re highly intelligent, very social & perceptive. It’s a long shot, but I was wondering how Pupy would react to enlarged pics of the sanctuary at Brazil that would also include the five elephants currently enjoying their life there? These large colourful pics could be placed around her crate where she couldn’t help but see them.
Would she be able to somehow connect the pics with the crate, esp if someone was talking to her and trying to get her to understand the significance of those pics, ie this is going to be your new home?
I’ll certainly leave that up to the experts to decide, but since all other options seem to have not worked so far, I thought it was worth a try. It must have been so disappointing for Scott and Dr. Trish to come home without Pupy. It’s going to take her a little longer and as we all know, GSE works on elephant time so we give her all the time she needs, but we’re all looking forward to the day when she finally arrives at her new home at GSE.
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  Sara says
  March 3, 2025 at 6:32 pm
  
  We did show her photos and videos of the sanctuary. Hopefully she will get used to having the gate closed soon. As you said, we’re on elephant time.
Terry says
March 3, 2025 at 11:20 pm

She will be ready when she can be. Pupy may still need to mourn the loss of her friend and companion at this juncture. My human conjecture. Do elephants respond to photographs, do we know? If she sees her future sanctuary home she may be inspired to move forward. Just my thoughts…
Scott and Trish- You two are incredible! Not the outcome you, or we hoped, but it will be. Are we now on Pupy time, and when she is ready, you can go back without any further red tape?
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  Sara says
  March 4, 2025 at 12:09 am
  
  We’ve shown her pictures and videos of the sanctuary, so we hope she understands. There shouldn’t be logistical problems moving forward.
  - Terry says
    March 4, 2025 at 9:34 am
    
    Thank you for this Sara, and all that you do too!
  - Sara says
    March 4, 2025 at 11:34 am
    
    Thanks ☺️
Bonnie says
March 4, 2025 at 12:07 am

Sara please tell Scott I’m sure he did everything possible to get her comfortable for her journey but she wasn’t ready and she let them know that she just needs more time that’s what it sounds like to me hang in there
Beci Bostwick says
March 4, 2025 at 12:55 am

Is there a point/date where you have to say okay we have no choice we have to move her now? Or is that totally open to allowing as long as she needs no matter id its another week or 2 or a few more months?
You’ve done this many times with Asian Elephants but have you moved an African elephant before?
Again I always want you all to know you have my utmost respect and gratitude for everything you do for these wonderful animals. Ty ❤️
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  Sara says
  March 4, 2025 at 11:33 am
  
  We don’t plan on putting an end date on her transport. We’re ready to allow her the time she needs. We haven’t moved an African elephant as part of GSE but have worked on others in the past.
Sir Richard of the Elephants says
March 4, 2025 at 1:45 pm

Pupy has a pretty face. I send all the good energy I can to Pupy to make up her mind wisely and, hopefully understand that Scott means well for her. Go Pupy, Go!
Javier says
April 16, 2025 at 3:11 pm

El dia Domingo 13/4/25 estuve en el ecoparque y me llamo la atencion el acceso restringido que habia para acercarse al corral de los elefantes. Ahora entiendo por que, estaban entrenandola para que no este expuesta a los ruidos. Muchas gracias por lo que hacen por estos animales. Esto es un nuevo comienzo para Pupy, una vida que se asemeja mucho mas a la libertad.

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