Bobbing for Apples

Sometimes, we cut apples into smaller pieces and put then in the water troughs around the habitat. This way, when an elephant comes to drink, they’ll find a little bobbing snack. In many parts of the world (including the US), this task is frequently a party game for humans in the Fall season. As any human who has been bobbing for apples knows, it can be a little bit of a challenge to pull out the apple pieces as they sink and float and move around in the water. Some elephants aren’t super into it, as it is a lot of effort for a smaller piece of apple. Other elephants love the challenge – and the snack at the end.

Lady enjoys it, so we try to target it to her. We don’t put it in every water trough every day. We try to rotate when we do it and which water troughs so that sometimes when she goes to drink, she gets a lovely little bonus surprise.

It always seems to make her happy, and it only takes the humans a few minutes, so we are delighted to leave an apple surprise for her frequently.

Photo of Lady, looking delighted.

June 30, 2020

Comments(13)

Nishant Bhajaria says
June 30, 2020 at 4:27 pm
I am so grateful you do this. After all these elephants have been through, these small gestures must make them so happy.
Kyle says
June 30, 2020 at 4:32 pm
Glad Lady enjoys bobbing for apples! It must be nice for her to find a treat floating in the water every once in a while. Thank you to the blog writer(s), it’s been nice to have little chunks of good news during these hard times!
Lila says
June 30, 2020 at 5:04 pm
Her lovely face has softened a lot 🙂
Wim says
June 30, 2020 at 5:18 pm
Exciting game for specialists. Oh sweet Lady you are the apple of my eye. Hope you’ll enjoy your treats and never get bored.
?????
Paula says
June 30, 2020 at 5:20 pm
Todos ustedes son muy amorosos!
Hermosa sorpresa ❤ Así debe ser… mimar y consentir a las damas…
JoAnn Merriman Eaton says
June 30, 2020 at 5:58 pm
Beautiful Lady Bug. Love hearing any and all details about her. Thank you GSE for making her life special and peaceful.
Shery says
June 30, 2020 at 6:27 pm
I have played this game. It is quite the challenge trying to bite an apple and pull it out of the water in your mouth.
I feed squirrels apple bites and they love them. Horses love apples too. Crunch, crunch. An apple is good to eat if you need
to brush your teeth and don’t have a toothbrush.
Julie says
June 30, 2020 at 8:39 pm
I think you’re right Lila, Lady’s face does look softer. Her eyes look soft and happy. ❤️
Sallie Robbins-Druian says
June 30, 2020 at 9:36 pm
I love this! How adorable! Something to look forward to . . . Lady! You lucky girl!
Jillyp says
July 1, 2020 at 2:40 am
She really is so beautiful. How wonderful for her to find little surprises that she enjoys ❤️???
Thank you for all the little things you do to make their lives more interesting ?
Rosie P says
July 1, 2020 at 3:50 am
What a fabulous enrichment for her! It’s not just the big things you do but also the little things that make life enjoyable and interesting for these girls. Amazing! Just going to hide a few treats around the house for my cat to find! He’ll love it as much a Lady and her apples!
xxxxx
Sheila says
July 1, 2020 at 4:13 am
Dear lil lady shes a smart girl mz lady‼️ she loves treats and since she needs to drink having a delicious??? apple treat and activity is great? this will reinforce how nice a life she has now with the humans at the sanctuary! Nice to hear lady feels very ?special when she finds apples in the water.
Debbie Sides says
July 1, 2020 at 12:48 pm
Lady is cute as a button and it’s great that she enjoys bobbing for apples!

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