Her Own Little Party of One

Early one recent morning, Lady was in the back of Yard 4 and heading towards the creek as Kat and Scott headed to the barn. They assumed that she was heading to a nearby water trough. After the humans settled in at the barn, Shirlei went into the habitat to feed Mara and Rana (who were in the pond in Yard 4). Meanwhile, Maia was near the barn, so Kat and Scott let her into the treatment chute for some one-on-one attention.

A few minutes later, there was trumpeting from the habitat. They were silly, loud, and playful trumpets, the kind that makes anyone who hears it smile. With Mara & Rana by the pond and Shirlei feeding them breakfast, they were the most likely elephants to be trumpeting. Surprisingly, they were Lady’s trumpets. It was so unexpected it took Kat and Scott a moment to realize it was Lady trumpeting. Once Maia’s morning treatment was completed, Kat and Scott saw that Lady was near. She was still in Yard 4, but very close to the Yard 2 fence, which means she went on a long (and fast!) walk. Based on her location and that of the others, she had her own little party of one while all of the other elephants and humans were busy.

When they saw Lady, she was standing in the bushes. We all know Lady loves her bushes, so Scott quickly went out to feed her before she went in search of breakfast. When he greeted her, she was very bright-eyed and smiley. She seemed light. She was standing surrounded by a large number of juvenile anis (the small black birds that are ubiquitous here). They were hanging out together in the bushes, the anis looking as inquisitive as ever.

We think that sometimes Lady comes back to the barn looking for the buckets of treats she receives during treatment. Since she seemed happy in her bushes, and it’s ok to skip foot soaks on occasion, Scott gave her a bunch of fruit to make sure she didn’t come back just for rewards. Both Lady and her bird companions seemed to appreciate the gesture.

Photo of Lady, looking beautiful in her hay hat, with an ani on the log next to her.

August 25, 2020

Comments(17)

Phyllis Ainsworth White says
August 25, 2020 at 4:19 pm
I look forward to the updates of the antics of the girls.
Alejandra(Sandy)Enquin says
August 25, 2020 at 4:28 pm
Que ternur es Lady??❣paea comerla a besos,que contenta trompeteando con sus amigos pajaros!!me gusta como la miman,Y Mara como esta? Se que siempre con Rana pero queria saber sobre su vida cotidiana.Gracias,abrazos para todos??‍♀️?
- REPLY
  Kat Blais says
  August 29, 2020 at 2:27 pm
  Mara is good, we share her stories and videos as well. She is becoming more confident and independent with each day.
Rachel says
August 25, 2020 at 4:42 pm
Sooo sweet. Made my heart happy…
Bonita says
August 25, 2020 at 4:51 pm
Love love love these stories!! Thank you!!
ANDREA SIMONETTI says
August 25, 2020 at 5:05 pm
um elefante feliz com um chapéu de feno é a coisa mais linda se ver .
Wim says
August 25, 2020 at 5:07 pm
Marvelous picture and ditto story. Lady having a party for one or maybe not so solitaire. This occasion it’s quite appropriate to call her Ladybird. Her friends are winging and singing around her. ???
Debbie Sides says
August 25, 2020 at 5:51 pm
So happy Lady was having fun. She’s just so cute!
Patricia says
August 25, 2020 at 6:07 pm
We are so blessed by you, Kat and Scott, and by these elephant girls! Every day these stories bring a smile to my face and my heart swells with love. I have recently seen pictures of you humans touching an elephants trunk and interacting in a way that makes me so envious! The main thing is, however, that I am blessed to see the videos and pictures, to feel a part of the wonder of elephants. God bless and keep you all. And please, give any and all girls a trunk touch for me!
Gretchen Caudell says
August 25, 2020 at 6:41 pm
This makes my heart so happy. I pray for her healing, at the cellular level, often. That she be restored to original intent, that she be filled with joy and wonder as well. Thanks for sharing her journey.
Paula says
August 25, 2020 at 6:55 pm
Yo creo que “las fiestas de uno” son la expresión de la felicidad interna que siente Lady… habla de su sanación!
Simplemente ella está feliz de vivir y lo expresa!❤
Es muy conmovedor!
Tracy H says
August 25, 2020 at 7:01 pm
Beautiful happy and smiling Ladybird. Love the stories about each and everyone doing their thing daily. She is just to darn cute.
Margaret Chalmers says
August 25, 2020 at 8:28 pm
I love that the habitat map keeps getting more detailed! Thanks guys!
Bo says
August 26, 2020 at 12:25 am
If some of us are still having some doubts that the elephants are not being spoiled…
This message, esp the part about the treats, is another proof 🙂
Sallie says
August 26, 2020 at 2:13 am
LOVE Ladybird in her “hay hat”, so Coco Chanel . . . and just the right touch of a black feathered friend . . . Coco would love it! I love it when elephants smile! It is a good sign for Lady and all her pals.
Shirley says
August 26, 2020 at 4:35 am
How wonderful for you all to see and hear lady doing this. What a change in this girl since the picture I first saw of her in a concrete hell. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving Lady and the other girls a wonderful life. xx
Rosie P says
August 26, 2020 at 11:22 am
Once again, I feel uplifted reading this post. When my cat is happy he has a sudden burst of energy and runs and jumps doing all sorts of daft things. We call it his “fizzing moment”. So Lady Bug is having her” fizzing moment”, her party all to herself. Happy, happy girl. Go Lady!
I adore the photo.

How To Help

Adopt an Elephant

Donate Today

GSE Merchandise

Elephant Wishlists

Blog