Our educational approach includes plenty of up-close, hands-on practical education, observations, and conversations. There are times when we feel itβs important for our care staff to have solo moments to make decisions, see what works well for them, and understand the scope of what still needs to be learned and explored. We work alongside them, of course, but anyone who plans to work with elephants long-term needs both a sense of confidence and an understanding of the massive amount of continuing education required. That is part of our goal as teachers and as elephant advocates. We recently asked Trish to detail what a day in the life at sanctuary looked like for her, on a day that she and the team took over the care of all of the sanctuary residents:Β
The morning here starts at 7am, or even earlier if you want to watch some of the most unbelievable sunrises at 5:30am.Β
One of the sanctuary dogs, Molly, has a variety of medical conditions and requires medications spaced throughout the day. She was following me around closely, so I packed up her mid-morning medicine for our trip to the barn – where she has been supervising us all lately.
The animals up at the top of the hill must be fed breakfast and given medications (if necessary), before we can head down to check out where all five elephant girls are. At the house, you can check the two cameras to see if any elephants are waiting for breakfast at the barn. You will usually find Bambi and Mara by the pond and know that Rana is somewhere close by.Β
On the way down from the house you keep your eyes open to see any signs of elephants in the yards or water missing from the troughs, indicating someone has drunk there recently. We then make a plan for the day, dividing up tasks and deciding who is feeding which elephants and who will be opening and closing each gate and cleaning the yards.There always has to be someone watching the girls as they eat breakfast, to ensure that everything is done safely.
Lady has been coming in to get her foot soaks and some of her treatments with me and Mateus, and has been so cooperative and enjoying all the extra treats. Around 4pm we usually let Mara in for her private dinner. As we know, Mara often brings her friends Bambi and Rana along. Sometimes they start heading to the barn at 2:30-3pm, and other days a short drive by the pond reminds them it’s around that time. Bambi and Mara are quick to head back to the barn, but Rana usually takes her time, showing up about 15 minutes after the other two and picking up leftovers wherever she can. Mara has been doing well with allowing both me and Mateus to wash her and apply bug spray, while she enjoys her dinner in the chute, away from her slightly invasive friends.
After Mara is finished, the sun is setting and sometimes, if you are lucky, there are toucans or macaws or flocks of parakeets flying over. It’s a very peaceful time of night. Rana and Mara and Bambi have all been fed dinner and are mingling around, all finishing up each other’s hay. Mara recently has been very cute asking for more food when all the hay is finished. I tell her the kitchen is closed, so no more orders tonightΒ – but after-dinner dessert is being offered out in the yards.Β
While someone is feeding the three girls at the barn, someone else goes out to deliver dinner to Maia and Lady, and spread food around the yards for all of them to find throughout the night.Β
Back at the house, around sunset, all the roosters are getting into bed up in the trees or along the porch wall. The three dogs and two cats are waiting for their dinner in the kitchen. There is just a beautiful peaceful vibe as the sun magnificently goes down and all becomes gradually quiet.Β
One of my favorite parts of being up at the house has been the different faces I find outside the front door, obviously looking for something. Sampson, the rooster who’s blind in his right eye, comes for his daily fruit and nuts. Milo the sheep is the only animal to show his displeasure when he discovers that I am not Scott or Kat. I was told that offering him papaya might make him my friend again, but I just found out he’s also been looking for a salty snack. No wonder he’s been spitting out the fruit I’ve been giving him.Β
At 10pm there is one last feeding and treatment to do for Alma, the resident tapir. One of the dogs, Bugsy, always walks me from the house to Alma’s enclosure and patiently waits outside. It is so peaceful and beautiful here on a clear night, with so many stars in the sky.Β
In addition to Bugsy, there is a duck who walks to and from Almaβs enclosure, looking for company and, of course, food. Often Milo the sheep joins the group for Alma’s last treatment as well.
When you get close, Alma makes this loud chirping sound, excited you are coming with one last meal. Tapirs are nocturnal, so she is just waking up as Iβm trying to stay awake. Bugsy and Minnie are then left to sleep on the veranda to protect all the other animals from hungry wildlife.
The days are full of hard work and I am so grateful to be here in this beautiful place helping Scott, Kat, and the sanctuary team. I am honored they have entrusted me with everyone’s care. Of course my focus has always been the elephants, but this time I am really enjoying getting to know the other beings that call the sanctuary home, too.
Comments(16) 

















- PO Box 2426
- Brentwood, TN 37024
- (615) 435-9523







- Ways to Support
- GSE Merchandise
- Privacy Policy
Title USD
June Ross says
June 7, 2021 at 2:40 pmWonderful write up Trish! I felt like I was there with you. Thank you!
Carol says
June 7, 2021 at 2:40 pmWow! Amazing! Working with precious beings that are in need of care and compassion must be so rewarding.
Constance S. Harris says
June 7, 2021 at 2:40 pmLovely
Rachel says
June 7, 2021 at 2:42 pmWhat a wonderful post. Calming, positive, heartwarming, and I could envision it all. Thank you Trish! πΈ
Lane says
June 7, 2021 at 5:34 pmJust this essay could be your first book. With pictures of Scott and Kat, of course. Do it and I’ll buy it, I promise!
Irene says
June 7, 2021 at 6:59 pmThank you Trish! Very enduring and beautiful! How fortunate you are to be in one of the most beautiful places on earth, caring for so many wonderful creatures! β€οΈπ
Alana says
June 7, 2021 at 7:17 pmSounds like Heaven on Earth.
Barb says
June 7, 2021 at 8:52 pmI felt like I accompanied you, Trish, as you described a beautiful day at ESB. Thank you for taking me there πβ€οΈ
Bonnie says
June 7, 2021 at 9:50 pmTrish good day you had question what other Animals are out there that are harmful to the animals
Sara says
June 7, 2021 at 11:32 pmThere are no natural predators to the elephants here. In the wild, large cats or crocodiles may target young elephants, but there are no animals in that category here. All around the world, the biggest danger to elephants is humans.
Sharon Cameron says
June 7, 2021 at 11:10 pmI could just feel the relaxed vibe of the sanctuary.
Wim says
June 8, 2021 at 4:07 amA day in the life feels like a year. The hands of love nursing many friends fulfilling Sanctuary life.
ππ
Elizabeth says
June 8, 2021 at 9:18 amI love hearing a glimpse of a day there Trish thank you. Sounds so cool Iβd love to visit.
Katie Howard says
June 8, 2021 at 4:46 pmAnyone who has simultaneously taken care of multiple species of animals know that, despite your idyllic portrayal of a place I could only describe as Heaven on Earth, it is an awful lot of work of the most rewarding kind! Kudos for the job you do. I am positive that Scott & Kat are extremely grateful for the help you provide.
Thank you for this lovely heartwarming post!
Christine says
June 10, 2021 at 3:28 pmThankyou Trish, you are truly blessed to have the companionship of so many special friends. The icing on the cake must be the beautiful sun rises and sunsets. God bless you ,π
πππππ¦π¦πππ.
Jeannie Ulrich says
June 11, 2021 at 6:01 pmWhat a wonderful post! I can feel the beauty of life at the Sanctuary. One that is filled hard but satisfying work. Such a privlege to spend with the elephants. It sounds like where I would like to go to retire, too. Thanks for your part in the care of the Sanctuary inhabitants and sharing your day with us!
Subscribe to our Blog
Shop & Support Elephants
Visit our online store and and help spread the word about the need for sanctuary for captive elephants.
Give Through Our Wishlist
Shop and choose a treat or much-needed item for one of the elephants.
Categories
Archives
Global Sanctuary for Elephants
Stay connected with our herd
MISSION: Protecting, rescuing, and providing sanctuary for elephants worldwide.
Global Sanctuary for Elephants is a 501 (c)(3) tax exempt, public charity status (EIN 46-3564818) and all contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
Β© Global Sanctuary for Elephants. All Rights Reserved
Your ticket for the: From Trish: A Day in the Life Here at Sanctuary
From Trish: A Day in the Life Here at Sanctuary