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Since we’ve been working on foot trimming this week, Scott decided it would be a good time for some of the caregivers to see more detailed techniques on how to do footwork. Maia and Guillermina came into the barn, while Bambi just hung out eating hay nearby. Maia was a model student and let Scott do quite a bit of trimming on her right front foot. A couple of times, when he was taking his time explaining things, she actually put her foot back up on the bars as if to suggest that it was time to get on with things. 

Guille was willing to offer her feet and let him trim some, but she wasn’t keen on being separated from her two friends. So, Scott opened the gate to the outside and let her decide where she wanted to go. She walked away, but then Maia came back to where everyone was standing and offered her foot again. Part of the lesson for the day was the fact that each elephant’s foot is unique, but so is the elephant herself. It’s important to tailor your approach to the elephant based on her needs, but also on her mood and what she wants to do at that moment. Every individual has their own style when it comes to treatment, so you have to learn about personalities, specific needs, and how to approach each girl to get the most out of every encounter.

Photo of Maia showing off her gorgeous, unique spots