Carrying Hay in Her Own Unique Way

While the Asian elephants tend to approach and snack gently on their hay (except for maybe Maia and Guillermina), the African elephants sometimes have their own unique approach to eating their hay. In this video you can see Pupy picking some up and sticking it between her trunk and tusk and holding it for a couple of minutes before eating it.

Until now, we’ve not had elephants with tusks. The Asian elephants at sanctuary have tushes, which are small tusk-like protuberances that originate near the corners of their mouths. They don’t put them to use in the same way the African elephants do, and we’re interested in seeing more unique behaviors from the African elephants in the days to come.

Pupy has been doing this pretty much since she arrived and caregivers have been trying to catch her in action so we can show you her charming behavior. The video is short because they had to jump off the 4-wheeler to try to film it before she moved. But it’s just a quick look at how African elephants are different from Asian elephants, which is true in so many more ways than one.

Comments(10)

Julie says
July 22, 2025 at 3:07 pm

Portable food. Good idea, Pupy!
Beci says
July 22, 2025 at 3:33 pm

So good to see Pupy. That’s interesting how she does that. It’s fun to learn their unique differences. I’m looking forward to more interactions with Kenya and Pupy. Do you ever try to encourage it by having them in their part of the barn at the same time and not let them out so they are having to interact? Or would that be wrong?
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  Sara says
  July 22, 2025 at 6:21 pm
  
  We’ve put them in neighboring yards, which gives them the opportunity to get close without feeling threatened. We don’t want to force them into it if they’ll connect slowly on their own. They both seem open to the idea, but it might take some time.
Alida says
July 22, 2025 at 11:32 pm

Very resourceful and beautiful girl Pupy ❤️🐘❤️
Bonnie says
July 22, 2025 at 11:39 pm

Sara I’ve noticed that she lifts her right leg every now and then she likes her hay
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  Sara says
  July 22, 2025 at 11:42 pm
  
  She does! That’s a very African elephant posture to make.
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  Carla says
  July 25, 2025 at 3:21 am
  
  “Oh crap busted, quick act like an elephant”
Tammy says
July 23, 2025 at 7:37 am

Now that’s what i call food to go!
Sarah Finlayson says
July 24, 2025 at 10:21 pm

Hopefully they will become friends. They both been through a lot. Thanks for taking care of them. They are such an unique and a intelligent animals.
Terry says
July 27, 2025 at 9:55 pm

Pupy is spearing her hay with her tusk! Cool.

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