Curious Touches Between Baby and Guille

At breakfast, Maia, Bambi, and Guillermina had their meal where they could see Baby in the Male Asian Habitat, and Baby could see them as well. After eating, everyone took a few minutes to digest, and the care team decided it would be an appropriate time to try and introduce Baby to some of the other elephants, since everyone was displaying a positive and light mood. Baby’s caregiver walked next to her down the outside of the fence in her habitat, encouraging Baby to move alongside her–which she did.

Baby moved calmly from the male habitat, through the adjoining corridor and into the female habitat. There were fences between Baby and the other three elephants, which has always been the first step in meet and greets at the sanctuary. You can never be sure exactly how elephants will react to each other, so we give them the security to feel each other out, which also allows the caregivers to observe initial interactions and impressions. Individual histories, health concerns, and personalities can sometimes impact an elephant’s readiness to welcome companions or to decide to become part of a group.

Guille was waiting next to the outer gate that connects Yards 1 and 5, watching Baby head her way. Baby headed right over to Guille and the two girls reached out to each other from a distance before Baby walked over to Guille and they began to touch trunks through and over the fence line. A couple of minutes later, Guille walked back to her friends, perhaps looking for some support or to share some intel. Guille has a lot of energy, but she also shows uncertainty at times, and in that moment it seemed that she needed to turn to her friends for encouragement. She would turn and walk toward Baby, then turn back toward Maia and Bambi again.

After a few moments, Maia then approached the fence, appearing to be strong and confident–ever the calm protector of her friend group. Maia reached out toward Baby, leaving the option up to her as to whether to make contact, and Baby chose not to. Guille and Bambi stuck together at a distance as Maia remained at the fence, ready to approach Baby if she wished. Upon considering her options, Baby seemed to decide that was enough of a step for the moment, heading off to explore her new yards some more. All in all, it was a positive meeting, and everyone walked away with seemingly benign responses, which is a good thing in the elephant world.

P.S.: It’s almost Sandro’s turn to experience the freedoms of sanctuary life! We’re preparing to bring him home to sanctuary, a place he’s been waiting for for years. Help give him a fresh start by donating toward his rescue. Together, we can make sanctuary life a reality for Sandro!

Comments(16)

Doe Fowler says
September 9, 2026 at 2:25 pm

Beautiful, brave, & curious souls. Thank you care team for all your accomplishments. Hopefully this moment is one of many to come- 🦣 willing. Cheers all!
Joey Lamphier says
September 9, 2026 at 3:44 pm

So wait a minute. Did Baby’s test results come in and give her the “all clear, you can now join the other girls in the habitat?” Or were they still separated by the fence? I can’t tell for sure. Without the test results, she isn’t cleared for joining the other girls, rigth? Or did that change?

This is so exciting for Baby! I am so happy she is able to touch them and start getting to know them without the fence barrier between them.

I can’t wait until they are all in the same habitats, no fences between them, able to come and go, together, to explore their surroundings. Baby will be so happy becoming part of the current herd of the other girls. So exciting!
- REPLY
  Sara says
  September 9, 2026 at 3:46 pm
  
  Quarantine is a complete separation, so if they’re meeting that means things are safe. They are still separated by a fence and will be until everyone seems comfortable together. They can interact whenever they want but won’t share space just yet.
Sue says
September 9, 2026 at 4:52 pm

So beautiful!!!!!! ❤️🐘❤️
Barbara L Smith says
September 9, 2026 at 4:57 pm

At last that trunk touch, Guille and Baby.❤️❤️
Alida says
September 9, 2026 at 5:39 pm

This is wonderful to watch! The moment we have all been waiting for and Baby and Guille were so brave in taking their steps towards a friendship, well done sweethearts! Can’t wait to see them all together being friends ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Ada says
September 9, 2026 at 5:57 pm

This is beautiful to see🥹I love how you guys take your time to slowly introduce them. Always about them in their own time, their comfort level, their readiness. I think the two youngest ones, Guille and Baby will be bffs🥰💗
Terry says
September 9, 2026 at 8:19 pm

Nice write up. I do believe Baby and Guille will be great friends in time. Im so, so happy for Baby and the other girls starting to get to know one another!

Looking forward to Sandro’s arrival!
Elizabeth says
September 9, 2026 at 9:54 pm

“Baby” steps
Bonnie says
September 9, 2026 at 9:55 pm

That was so nice to see it was also cute hearing baby’s caregiver saying come on come on question Sara were do you all fine these caregivers and how do they get trained
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  Sara says
  September 9, 2026 at 9:59 pm
  
  Our caregivers come from all over the world and are hired via everywhere from employment ads to recommendations. Caregivers need to have large or wild animal experience or other special skills.
Beci says
September 10, 2026 at 2:14 am

I don’t know why, but it brought tears to my eyes. I am kind of a mushy person, but I’ve been so excited for her to get to meet the other elephants and to see them touching trunks was really great. She knows she’s safe and she knows that she has to look forward to being part of a group. As always when I end my comments I like to tell you all thank you for everything you do.
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  Sara says
  September 10, 2026 at 12:54 pm
  
  Thank you ❤️
Johnny says
September 10, 2026 at 7:48 am

Amazing. Am I correct in remembering that Baby did not have other elephants to interact with at the place she moved from?
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  Sara says
  September 10, 2026 at 12:54 pm
  
  She did have 2 elephants in her enclosure, but both died years ago. She was on her own after that.
Patricia says
September 10, 2026 at 4:19 pm

Good heavens, I love them so much! I hope Baby gets to mingle soon! xoxoxoxo

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