Fences4Kenya Construction Update!

We’ve officially had two loads of steel and one load of concrete delivered from our Fences4Kenya fundraiser! As anyone who has ever built anything knows, no plans are final until the project is finished.

We frequently talk about our holistic approach – and how we build with the elephants in mind, but also consider the wildlife, the land, and our impact on everything. This means, now that we are “on the ground” so to speak, and planning exactly where each fence posts will go, we are tweaking our plans. We have some large, beautiful, healthy trees along the planned fence line, and we don’t want to cut them down unnecessarily, so now our fence line will be a little zig-zagged. After redesigning the fence line to work around these trees, we realized it also changes the size of the enclosure. While we planned for the first 3 yards to be 10.7 acres, with these changes, the female African habitat will be around 13 acres!! With no additional funds needed!! We can’t imagine Kenya or any other future African elephant residents will mind a meandering fence or the extra space.

Constructing an elephant fence is not an easy task. When the steel is delivered, each tube is

around 12m long (~ 40ft) and
weighs approximately 700 lbs (~320 kilos).

Once each load arrives, we cut a portion of the tubes into 3.5 m (11.5 ft) sections for the vertical fence posts and transport them to the African Elephant barn using the backhoe. The next step is digging holes and putting the posts in concrete. Once the vertical posts are set and secure, we go back and add the horizontal pieces.

It’s a slow-moving process (& not very exciting), but we will get there, and Kenya will come. And, again, because we can never say it enough – thanks to everyone who donated, liked, shared, and commented on our fundraising posts so we can build these Fences4Kenya! ❤️

January 22, 2020

Lori Hoover says
January 22, 2020 at 5:20 pm
I can’t wait to see Kenya in the habitat, and I can’t wait to see the fences winding around the big, beautiful trees. It sounds a Brazilian Paradise for African Elephants, LOL
Barb Wilson says
January 22, 2020 at 5:21 pm
Very exciting report and speaking for myself and others, it has been an absolute pleasure and indeed an honor to be supporting ESB. I love the zig-zag fence scenario and Kenya would give a big “trunk up” for the idea I’m sure.
Tracy says
January 22, 2020 at 7:38 pm
So excited about the update on the new habitat for Kenya. Can’t wait for her to experience freedom and love. Thanks again to everyone who open their hearts for these big beautiful ladies. Everyone appreciates what you all do to make their lives better. ?❣️
BTW. IS IT JUST ME OR DOES THOSE CLOUDS LOOK LIKE AN ELEPHANT??
- REPLY
  Donna Hagen says
  January 23, 2020 at 8:17 am
  It took me a minute, but yes I see it! Maybe Ramba is watching over the project 🙂
Kelejan says
January 22, 2020 at 7:55 pm
Quote: “It is a slow moving process (and not very exciting)” – but is IS exciting, and we are hanging on every word you print to keep us updated for Kenya’s arrival.
Sheila says
January 23, 2020 at 3:34 am
PTL? Dear BIG? KENYA WILL GAIN ADVANTAGE AND HAVE THE LOVELY ?TREES TOO! EXCELLENT NEWS?I HOPE THERE WILL BE A ?FRIEND FOR HER COMING TO THAT AFRICAN SECTOR! IT WOULD BE SO NICE AS SHES BEEN SO LONELY AND BORED FOR SO MANY YEARS!! WILL KENYA HAVE PONDS TO BATHE AND SWIM IN?⁉️ DO U HAVE ANY IDEA WHEN APPROXIMATELY FENCE WILL BE DONE! END OF MARCH PERHAPS?? I CANT WAIT TO SE KENYA IN THE JUNGLE FREE LIKE SHES NEVER BEEN‼️ SHES A YOUNG LADY YET SADLY? LIKELY NEVER WILL HAVEVA BABY‼️! SO SAD ?THESE ELEPHANTS ?HAVE HAD THEIR LIVES STOLENFROM THEM! SO UTTERLY WRONG?
Carey says
January 23, 2020 at 7:18 am
That ‘s great, I hope the rains are good for making the holes for the posts easier to dig, and working around the trees was an important call, very well done!
I hope that Kenya settles well and that other African eles will keep her company soon especially after being alone for so long
Carey says
January 23, 2020 at 7:20 am
PS If you’re talking about the clouds to the right of the tallest tree in the pic, Yes I can see an elephant head also Tracy!
Nancy Nortell says
January 23, 2020 at 10:07 am
This is very exciting, and now with a bigger enclosure it just gets better! Thanks so much!!!
Julie says
January 23, 2020 at 2:07 pm
Oh thank heaven! I recently read Kenya’s story about her only friend being the painting on the wall. Her psyche has to be very fractured. I’m dying to know how much time she has to wait for sanctuary. Please update us on the projected timeline! As always, thank you for all you do at GSE!!!
Crystal Alexander says
January 25, 2020 at 7:03 am
Last night spent hours watching Tennessee Elephant sanctuary elephant videos.. Could hear your voices and see the hard work you all put into your work. Heart and soul. And love. And beauty. I laugh. I cry. I hope. I pray. Thank you. The elephants travails are tragic and at times remind me of some of my life difficulties. It gives me such joy to see them smiling, gracing, eating fruit, cuddling, playing, swimming, lazily napping any where they earned well please. Playing in the rain. Knocking down trees to help Scott work. Lol Such a joy. Thank you. For everything. Wish I was their to clean your toilets and cook for you. The least I could do for all you do for these amazing beings.

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