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From Michele: Memories of Kenya

December 19, 2025

We thought we’d post a few thoughts from one of Kenya’s primary caregivers, Michele. She was with Kenya almost until the moment of her passing, and has many lovely memories to share:

Kenya was such a special elephant, that it’s hard to know where to start when talking about her. She captured everyone’s hearts right away: coming out of the crate on the day of her arrival, and pretty much as soon as her toes touched the sand, she was making all of her crazy noises, face planting in the dirt piles in the barn, kicking her back feet up in the air, looping her trunk through the tractor tire and carrying it around on her face like a donut and, of course, she was rarely without her signature hay hat. 

I’ve never heard an elephant make some of the noises Kenya made, and even Scott said he’d never seen an elephant “dance” the way that Kenya did. She did some toe tapping when we met her at Mendoza, but I remember the first day we saw her do a full-on “tap dance.” Scott and I were with her in the barn, working with her on presenting her feet, so we could begin to help her with her overgrown pads and nails. Scott simply asked her to turn to the other side, and she swung her butt away from the bars, tap danced with both back feet, making all kinds of noises and then threw her trunk up on top of the bars. We just looked at each other and burst out laughing. That was the first time, but definitely not the last. She was such an amazing elephant who wanted to do anything we asked, but it was almost as though she could only contain her brilliant, bubbling energy for so long. She would work with us, take a break to do her dance, and then come back a couple minutes later, calm and ready to do more. 

Kenya was a relationship girl. Of course, all elephants are herd animals, but Kenya really loved relationships, which makes it even more unfathomable to me that she was alone for so much of her life. Kenya also liked being silly. That’s oversimplifying, of course, but she was also sweet and soft and deep and sensitive. She often had big, bright energy and responded to that same kind of spark in other people, too. Pretty early on I learned that if I was asking her to come with me and she was a little hesitant, I could make up a silly song about what a good elephant she was or what I hoped she would do and sing it to her, and she would start walking with me. I’m sure it wasn’t so much about the singing as the shift in energy, but it worked consistently. I think she was reminding me that we could accomplish the same outcome without taking the process so seriously.

There’s one story that I kept for myself until yesterday because it felt like a secret gift, but I’ll share it now. We actually went through a phase where Kenya would sing with me when I was cleaning the barn. I would often do her treatment in the same area, and when we finished I would give her access to the barn and the yards so she could choose where she wanted to go. One day I let her out into the barn and then closed off the treatment area so I could start cleaning it. She stayed inside even though she could have left, and I began singing a little bit as I was cleaning. And when I paused my singing, she rumbled. Then I sang something else and stopped, and then she rumbled. We went back and forth like that for several minutes. It was magical. And the following few days, the same thing happened.

This was all after Pupy was gone, when she was spending a little more time near us. But watching Kenya and Pupy’s relationship form–observing Kenya with her first elephant friend–that was truly a blessing to behold. Kenya was so excited and came in with big kid energy, but she quickly learned that that was too much for Pupy. Just like during treatment, she started approaching Pupy quietly and respectfully, and then she would often walk away from the fence and make funny noises and dance around, letting her excitement out in a way that wouldn’t scare Pupy. After some time, Pupy would actually go seek Kenya out, and as Pupy felt more unwell, Kenya would stand right with her or over her if Pupy was laying down, the protective big sister that she was born to be.

As we’ve already shared, on Monday, Kenya spent a few hours in the barn’s treatment chute, getting IV fluids and medications, along with oxygen and other external treatments. I could tell she was ready to stretch her legs a little, and when we opened the chute, she walked around quite a bit, even heading off into the woods briefly, but she still wasn’t interested in food. Because of everything that happened that day, we decided I would stay at the barn overnight–not to watch her constantly or even be right next to her–but really just to be nearby if she needed something, even if that something was just to hold space and let her know she wasn’t alone. I checked on her periodically but also gave her a lot of room to rest. And when she did finally lie down and relax a little more, Scott came to the barn as well, and I brought a chair closer to Kenya so I could hear her. It had rained a good portion of the night, but just after she lay down the clouds cleared, and I saw several shooting stars and the brightest meteor I have ever seen, all while listening to Kenya’s even breathing, her first rest in days. 

Shortly after the sun came up, Scott stayed, but I went home just for about an hour to get some rest for the day ahead, and that is when she passed. If I have any comfort in Kenya being gone, it is my strong feeling that she and Pupy are reunited. Scott said that just before Kenya took her last breaths, she was making a little trumpeting noise, and no one will ever convince me that that wasn’t the moment her spirit found Pupy’s again. 

An inevitable part of working in this field is loss, especially when the animals haven’t had lifelong access to natural environments or medical care. Having two losses this close together is…well, it’s almost too much to process. Normally, I can’t go back and look at pictures and videos right away. It hurts too much to see them again so soon. But today I found myself craving hearing Kenya’s voice and seeing her silliness with her trunk, which moved like its own entity. Kenya and I seemed to help each other through Pupy’s loss. And now Kenya is helping me through her own loss because that is just who she was: pure love. So today I watched videos and looked at photos, many of her and Pupy together, and I laughed and cried and tried to get a handle on the overwhelming disbelief I felt when I walked up to the African barn and it was empty and still.  

I wish that Kenya and Pupy had had longer together, more time experiencing this kind of freedom and autonomy and relationship. And of course, selfishly, I wish I also had more time with them, seeing them enjoy their lives and each other. But I am so grateful they had it at all, so blessed to have been there to see it, to know them. I can’t even find the words to describe the void, the ache of these losses. But right on the heels of that, the thing that keeps repeating in my mind is “What a gift, what a gift, what a gift.”

P.S.: This video, which Michele took a while back, shows Kenya playing with a tire that we brought with Pupy from Buenos Aires. Pupy’s companion Kuky loved this tire, and we traveled with it to sanctuary in hopes that Pupy would see something familiar and find joy. Pupy never really cared about it one way or another, but Kenya did decide to play with it for a while. Eventually, it ended up in the forest, but it definitely saw some fun days!

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Comments(25)

  1. REPLY
    Wim says
    December 19, 2025 at 2:20 pm

    Thank you Michele, for sharing your breathtaking remembrance with us. It certainly feels as a privilege to be so close to the African girls. Beautiful souls can connect seamless, I’m sure your connection will withstand the age of time. The shadow side will be finding the right form of mourning and bereavement. This whole reflection is a very soothing eulogy. One reflection on Kenya last trumpeting, when you’re familiar with the astral world, there Pupy and Kenya may have found each other already.
    🕯🕯💔 😥

    • REPLY
      patricia says
      December 19, 2025 at 2:39 pm

      So true, and now the veil is thinning even more………I know with all my being that Kenya is on the other side, with a beutiful Elephant Family and People who love her, I have zero doubts.

    • REPLY
      Karen says
      December 19, 2025 at 9:14 pm

      I wanted to tell you that this proved to be healing for me as I’m sure it was for you and others.

      Thank you 😍

    • REPLY
      Nicole says
      December 20, 2025 at 11:59 am

      Wow, thank you, Michelle, for sharing about Kenya! I am so sorry for your loss.

  2. REPLY
    patricia says
    December 19, 2025 at 2:23 pm

    I too have been reluctant to look at these Posts, or videos about Kenya, as it’s so heart-wrenching, almost unbearable, and yet, when I read this article, I understood that we are all grieving and celebrating at the same time, really Together. Truly, I am so, so grateful for every nano-second that these Ladies had with the Elephant Sanctuary people and all those others who came together to help these excellent ladies…and yes, it is and was worth it, and yes, it has made a huge impact and will continue to do so. I care not for those who fail to see that these Elephants have a basic right to be in Sanctuary, it is cruelty beyond my understanding to keep them captive. Thank you for everything…and YES, we will meet them again in the next world, where there are no tears.

  3. REPLY
    Barb says
    December 19, 2025 at 2:44 pm

    Kenya, always in our hearts 💕

  4. REPLY
    J Johnson @jmjinsincity 🇺🇸 says
    December 19, 2025 at 2:51 pm

    Oh….so emotional, so many tears, so heartbreaking. It must take such a toll on your soul having worked so intimately with both Kenya & Pupy & then lose them both in just a few months. Sometimes it seems the cycle of life can be so cruel & unfair. So incredibly lucky you all got them to Sanctuary where they passed being loved & cared for beyond measure & did not die in a concrete pit. 💔🌈😭 I am heartbroken but your pain must be unbearable.

  5. REPLY
    Susan Hunt says
    December 19, 2025 at 3:17 pm

    Dear Michele, what a beautiful tribute. I’m speechless to say more. What a gift for each of you to have each other. I believe that everything happens for a reason. It’s no accident that you and Kenya came together. I believe you are so right about that last trumpet was a celebration of hello too Pupy. I know you will see her again. Bless you. This was beautiful.

  6. REPLY
    Frances Beasley says
    December 19, 2025 at 4:03 pm

    Michele, thank you so much for sharing this deeply moving account of your love and care of Kenya and Pupy. Your incredible account of the closeness you shared with them, especially Kenya, is magical. Your pain at the loss is understandably so great. Thank you for giving your all to these wonderful elephants that are such truly special creatures.

  7. REPLY
    Sue says
    December 19, 2025 at 4:29 pm

    Thank you, Michele, for taking the time to share such beautiful memories of time spent with sweet Kenya. You brought her to life in my mind’s eye, sharing her joyous spirit and enthusiasm for life, as well as sharing moments that were obviously so meaningful to you. I am glad that Kenya had you there as a friend and a support, just as Pupy had her. I am sure it meant so much to her to have you near and to know she had someone to seek comfort from. I am sending thoughts of comfort and love as you make your way through this most difficult time. Thank you again for sharing and for caring for these beautiful Girls with all your heart. Much love – ❤️🐘❤️

  8. REPLY
    Juliet Camp says
    December 19, 2025 at 4:37 pm

    Thank-you so much for this….. crying now….I am so sorry for your loss. Is there an elephant Rainbow bridge???

    • REPLY
      Sara says
      December 19, 2025 at 4:39 pm

      We’d like to think so. ❤️

  9. REPLY
    Barbara L Smith says
    December 19, 2025 at 4:49 pm

    Thank you, Michele for sharing your time and relationship with Kenya. Kenya sounded like a funny delightful caring , loving girl. I can imagine in your next thunder storm, the sound of Kenya’s tap dancing feet. Rest in Peace sweet Kenya.🐘🌹

  10. REPLY
    Jeanine says
    December 19, 2025 at 5:13 pm

    Loosing a beloved rescued elephant is indeed a heartache. I imagine it to be when we lose a dog or any animal that has been our beloved pets. For me, the sadness is always kind of there. I’m so sorry for your great loss.💔

  11. REPLY
    Sue Brown says
    December 19, 2025 at 5:41 pm

    This is so beautiful, Michele. Thank you for sharing your stories and memories of beautiful Kenya. She and Pupy will be in my heart forever. Thank you to all of you for what you do. You gave both of those girls a wonderful, happy, free life in their sunset months. They are lucky and so are all of us who watched them dance, play, gain courage and live naturally. I have adopted many dogs at this period in their lives. I was determined they would have a happy life to finish whatever time they had left on this earth. Blessings to you all and may your hearts heal just knowing the love you gave and received is a precious thing indeed.

  12. REPLY
    Jean D says
    December 19, 2025 at 6:06 pm

    💕🐘🐘🌈😇😇

  13. REPLY
    Johnny says
    December 19, 2025 at 6:41 pm

    Beautiful!

  14. REPLY
    Terry says
    December 19, 2025 at 8:04 pm

    Michele- Thank you so very much for caring, sharing, and loving Kenya, Pupy, and all the girls!
    The shooting stars…the brightest meteorites…all signs saying how happy Kenya and Pupy are together!
    We often clock love by years, but its true scale is the depth of the bond felt before it fades. Death doesn’t erase the connection; it simply marks the point where a shared presence becomes a permanent, internal memory and we, who are left behind, are forever changed…

  15. REPLY
    Bonnie says
    December 20, 2025 at 2:05 am

    Hi Michele thanks for sharing that story and how you and Kenya got along she trusted you that video is funny her with that tire it’s nice to hear about Kenya thru the Memories of you taking care of her you did good And Thank you

  16. REPLY
    Terry Silva says
    December 20, 2025 at 10:30 am

    Thank you for posting your thoughts Michele. Your relationship with Kenya was magic for you both.

  17. REPLY
    Sandy Crile says
    December 20, 2025 at 12:50 pm

    Thank you, Michelle. We are so grateful for the love and care you gave to our African girls. Knowing how awful I feel about their passing, I cannot imagine what you must be feeling.
    Should anyone ever find Kuki’s beloved tire, would you consider hanging or placing it by Pupy’s and Kenya’s graves? I think Kuki would like that.

    • REPLY
      Kat Blais says
      December 20, 2025 at 1:43 pm

      we could do that. thank you for the suggestion.

  18. REPLY
    Jane Travis says
    December 21, 2025 at 2:04 am

    So grateful that Kenya and Pupy both got the chance to live the last months of their lives, free and wild elephants. After being alone for so long, then to meet and become friends, so heartwarming due to the amazing job of your team❤️
    I shall miss the stories and updates on these two precious soles.
    No wild animals should ever be in captivity.
    Keep up the wonderful work.

  19. REPLY
    Pat says
    December 22, 2025 at 6:06 am

    Thank you for sharing. It took me a few days before I could read and view. I am so sorry for your loss. Scott too. Your love for these beautiful creatures is enduring.

  20. REPLY
    Katie Howard says
    December 31, 2025 at 7:26 pm

    Dear Michelle,
    I simply could not read this when you posted it…But today is New Year’s Eve and a time for reflection, so I braved it. I am undone again.
    But I wanted to especially thank you for sharing this.
    Kenya was stellar. A meteor from the heavens, bursting with energy and Joie de Vivre! Her presence reinvigorated Sanctuary – and Pupy…and all of us.
    I am so thankful that she, and Pupy, got to experience Sanctuary and each other. It’s an incredible void, their absence – even from afar. I cannot fathom what it must be like for you, Scott, Kat and the rest of the team. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you all. ❤️

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