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Kenya’s Gentle Nature

July 24, 2025

Kenya has big energy surrounding her, but she has a remarkably tender nature. When caregivers drive near, she usually emerges from wherever she’s been grazing, making her big rumbles. She’s not especially food motivated, but she still comes when she hears the 4-wheeler getting close to where she’s hanging out, excited for another new thing to happen. There’s often an air of excitement around her. 

But there’s also a side of her that’s almost delicate at times. She seems to enjoy affection from humans, and she treats them with care and consideration. We’ve all witnessed that African elephant trunks can be a little loosey-goosey at times, but she reaches through the fence for food and for strokes with a controlled trunk, under the bottom rung. That’s an incredibly respectful way to approach someone. If an elephant is being a little demanding, sometimes they’ll reach through the middle rung, and if they’re feeling dominant, they will even lift their trunk over the top. But not Kenya; she’s a bottom rung girl. 

At times, elephants can be demonstrative if you give them food they don’t like or don’t want at the moment. They might toss something to the side or even step on it to show that’s not something they’re interested in. Perhaps they want to clearly express their feelings and leave no doubt about it. But Kenya tends to be fairly dainty. She will gently place down the bites that she’s not interested in. We’ve seen her pick up a watermelon piece by the stem, so we know she has a gentle side. Sometimes she just wants to have a few minutes of conversation and a scratch on the behind and then she’ll go on her way. 

P.S.: People often ask us if we touch or pet the elephants. We obviously do touch them during medical check-ups and treatments, but we tend to let the elephants lead us when it comes to physical interactions. If an elephant indicates that they want affection, like Kenya sometimes does, we happily oblige, but we generally don’t offer it without being given permission. If Kenya starts to build a relationship with Pupy, her interest in people might subside. We hope that Kenya and Pupy will find joy in the natural world–and possibly each other–and those are the relationships we want to take precedence.

Photo of Kenya walking out of the tree line

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Comments(21)

  1. REPLY
    Katherine says
    July 24, 2025 at 2:38 pm

    Beautifully put

  2. REPLY
    Deborah Durham says
    July 24, 2025 at 2:43 pm

    I look forward to reading your observations and learning about each elephant’s journey at sanctuary. I am so heartened to learn about Kenya and how she is acclimating to her new home. I often wonder if she realizes that every single day will now be open to her choices now. What an amazing future she has with her new life. Happy stories, which are sorely needed in these times. Thank you.

  3. REPLY
    Barbara L Smith says
    July 24, 2025 at 2:46 pm

    After years spent alone in it that vacant pit, I imagine the love, care and attention, she is receiving makes a dream come true. We all need that touch of love. Kenya is beautiful.🌹

  4. REPLY
    Susan Flewelling says
    July 24, 2025 at 2:51 pm

    Kenya definitely showed her distain for apples a few weeks ago! Too funny! 🥰🥰🥰

    • REPLY
      Kat Blais says
      July 24, 2025 at 6:41 pm

      she actually loves apples. pumpkin/squash, pears, and apples are her most consistent foods. but she tends to want something in the morning, and maybe not that specific thing in the afternoon. she has always been like that, so it helped her caregivers not be concerned on the road.

  5. REPLY
    J Johnson says
    July 24, 2025 at 3:01 pm

    Awww, heartwarming. So happy Kenya seens to be adapting well. She initially came across as a big personality. She now has the freedom to express who she truly is. Love that she wants interaction with her human family. Hopefully, Kenya & Pupy will become besties. If not, that’s okay too. @jmjinsincity

  6. REPLY
    Tracy H says
    July 24, 2025 at 3:15 pm

    Oh my! I just love this girl and the journey she is on! It’s makes me so happy to see her thriving. Can’t wait for her relationship with Pupy to evolve into the best friendship ever. She deserves everything and more. They all do. Love what yall do for these lovely ladies. Yall are the best 🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘

  7. REPLY
    elaine richard says
    July 24, 2025 at 3:18 pm

    So happy she’s there with you all, and Pupy. 😊

  8. REPLY
    Maria José Agostinho says
    July 24, 2025 at 3:24 pm

    Glorious words! Thank you so much for the care and respect. That huge piece of land has been a piece of heaven! Also, the news about Kenya make me understand even more everything that has happened with her and around her. She is a soft & strong creature.

  9. REPLY
    Ada says
    July 24, 2025 at 4:06 pm

    She comes when she hears you guys. Could be because she misses y’all. She knows good humans are living in the sanctuary with her and her ele family😂

    • REPLY
      Kat Blais says
      July 24, 2025 at 6:40 pm

      the four wheeler is also the elephant equivalent of the ice cream truck. 😂

  10. REPLY
    Carmen says
    July 24, 2025 at 4:26 pm

    I understand that completely. I’m just happy that she WANTS your touch and affection. Please keep giving that to her whenever she wants it

  11. REPLY
    Zoi says
    July 24, 2025 at 4:31 pm

    Impossible not to admire how well elephants use their bodies being so big. Kenya is an exquisite girl, just let’s remember when she didn’t want apples she didn’t spit out just let the apples drop off her trunk.

  12. REPLY
    Doe Fowler says
    July 24, 2025 at 4:56 pm

    Kenya is a remarkable soul. How’s her tooth/tusk healing?

    • REPLY
      Kat Blais says
      July 24, 2025 at 6:39 pm

      it’s not going to ever be normal. she has a little wound at the top, which is healing fine. but without a surgery to cut her tusk, there is no way to fix what is going on with it growing through her sulcus.

  13. REPLY
    Terry says
    July 24, 2025 at 7:56 pm

    To me she has the gentle nature and perhaps the wisdom of Rana. Kenya is brilliant in her own way of course. I am so fascinated by the dexterity of their trunks. !!! Have you witnessed any closer interactions with Kenya and Pupy yet?

  14. REPLY
    Julie says
    July 24, 2025 at 8:06 pm

    What a lovely post. Kenya sounds like the most delightful elephant ever, and she is in great hands at ESB.

  15. REPLY
    Susan Flewelling says
    July 24, 2025 at 8:11 pm

    All i remember is her spitting out three apples offered while she was in the crate.

  16. REPLY
    Beji says
    July 24, 2025 at 9:03 pm

    Sometimes, all we all want is a few minutes of chit chat and a scratch on the behind and then be on our way…

  17. REPLY
    JoAnn Merriman-Eaton says
    July 24, 2025 at 11:34 pm

    Kenya, you sweet, amazing and beautiful girl. It seems even though you lived a life of solitude and loneliness you developed the best of qualities. Kindness and sensitivity, and now understanding you can make choices. ❤️🐘

  18. REPLY
    Sharon says
    July 25, 2025 at 5:55 am

    Such a lovely post about Kenya. I love that she comes to visit her caregivers and likes a scratch now and then. I often wonder about elephants that have been in captivity for many years, how the cope in their new world without having human touch. Do they miss it ? Do they prefer not to have a scratch and a rub ? How do they let you know they want you to touch them ? I know elephants are all different and have different personalities ❤️ Thanks for sharing your lovely post about beautiful Kenya ❤️❤️❤️

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