Baby Seems Softer

Female Asian elephant named Baby stands in front of palm trees Part of easing all elephants’ arrivals into sanctuary life is offering them a late night meal. Generally, after a new resident starts to settle in, we like to make sure they understand that we’re there if they need anything: food, comfort, stability. We don’t want an elephant to become overly dependent on the humans around, so we taper off the 10pm check-ins over time, depending on what each elephant seems to need, their health status, and their emotional comfort level.

Baby is still in her early days here, so we’re making sure to visit her every evening. Last night, her caregiver noted that Baby’s ears were positioned slightly out, as if she was listening for something. She may have been reacting to the unexpected rain, but it could have been any number of things–perhaps even a call from one of the other girls, especially since they tend to be more vocal at night, even more so when they hear the four wheeler.

Since we met Baby at the amusement park, she’s held her head notably high, with evident tension–and we couldn’t determine why. Her caregiver noted that last night Baby seemed less stiff and her shoulders and neck were more relaxed. She wasn’t moving in such an intense way, instead adopting a slower, more measured pace. Her eyes were softer and her energy was easygoing and open. We’ll see how she responds in the coming days, but we appreciate that Baby seems to be getting more comfortable and her body language less rigid as days go by.

Photo of Baby in front of some tall palms

Comments(13)

Barbara L Smith says
June 27, 2026 at 2:59 pm

Baby seems to be settling into her new home.❤️
Julie says
June 27, 2026 at 3:23 pm

My heart imagines she is relaxing because she smells and hears her new sisters. She is starving for elephant companionship and knows somehow she will be satiated soon. Thank God for ESB and the healing they facilitate.
Doe Fowler says
June 27, 2026 at 3:44 pm

Sanctuary Life is a blessing for our 🐘 friends. Thank you for caring!
Robin says
June 27, 2026 at 5:15 pm

She probably senses from the rumblings of the others that they are relaxed, happy and very comfortable at GSE! No worries… no fears… safe & secure. However they communicate and whatever they are chatting about, how could it be anything but happy happy happy!
Kenneth B. Newman says
June 27, 2026 at 8:32 pm

So when does Baby get to really meet the other elephants, even if a fence is separating them?
- REPLY
  Kat Blais says
  June 27, 2026 at 9:02 pm
  
  when all of her judge ordered test results come back. we do not have a date for that at this time.
Terry says
June 27, 2026 at 9:03 pm

Has anyone noticed the palm behind her which looks like a silhouette of her sketched in black and white? Center in the middle which is an eye. I can’t NOT see it now! Uncanny. I hope someone else sees it too!
- REPLY
  Barbara says
  June 28, 2026 at 4:17 am
  
  Thanks I saw it as well her double in fact and her image lovely
Bonnie says
June 27, 2026 at 10:48 pm

Sara why does baby have those spots on her ears
- REPLY
  Kat Blais says
  June 28, 2026 at 12:15 am
  
  it’s her natural pigment, elephants have different levels of pigment- like Maia has a lot of spots at the top of her trunk. you only see them when they are very clean, and since there are several bathing videos of Baby, you get to see her spots frequently.
Carey says
June 28, 2026 at 2:12 am

How good to see this
Sara McCue says
June 28, 2026 at 10:38 am

Awww sweet girl. Thank you for taking care of these wonderful creatures. 🙏❤️🐘
Beji says
June 28, 2026 at 11:07 am

Baby knows that she’s safe and loved. She can finally relax because she is home. Home truly is where the heart is.

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