Lady Explores the Male Asian Habitat

Lady is known for being an elephant of taste when it comes to grass and seeks out the youngest and greenest pastures. We’re in the middle of the rainy season, so there is plenty of untouched tall, green grass in the male Asian habitat and, since it will be empty for this season, we didn’t want that perfect grazing area to go to waste.

Because the grass was cut at an ideal time last year, the first yard of the habitat is young and very tall. In fact, when Lady walks into it you can only see the top of her head sticking out. Scott made some trails with the 4-wheeler through the tall grass to make a path for Lady to walk, doing his best to ensure it would be easier on her sensitive feet. So far, she is eating with much enthusiasm, so much so that in most of the photos of her there is a giant wad of grass sticking out of her mouth, or she is in mid chew. There is a cement water trough and a pond in the yard, so she has access to more than one source of water.

Because the yard has never had any elephant residents, there are many palms throughout the habitat, along with a few beautiful and substantial shade trees. After giving her a bath, so she knew where the trough was, we took her for a short walk along the fence to one of the shady areas and left her to contentedly graze.

Though Lady has plenty of green areas to explore in Yards 1, 2, 3, and 5, this spot is different and is good for mental stimulation. This was a nice opportunity to give Lady time in an area that’s totally new to her, which she appears to love having. When Lady is happy, we’re happy – and we love to see a sense of joy on her face and hear her many contented rumbles.

Comments(15)

Melinda says
February 21, 2023 at 2:50 pm
How wonderful to see my Ladybug happily chomping away on new and delicious browse!
Maureen says
February 21, 2023 at 3:15 pm
Who better to be first in than our intrepid little explorer Lady Bug! So wonderful to see her happily exploring and munching away!!!
Nancy says
February 21, 2023 at 3:19 pm
THE BEST!!
Wim says
February 21, 2023 at 5:02 pm
Very happy scenes for the Lady herself. So nice and relaxed this party for one.
Charlotte Hansen says
February 21, 2023 at 5:27 pm
So many of your videos end up getting viewed over and over during my day, and this is going to be one of them! It’s so good to see Lady so content!
Alana says
February 21, 2023 at 10:38 pm
She does look to be enjoying every bite, Love the ear flaps. So content.
Terry says
February 21, 2023 at 11:32 pm
Would African elephants have a very different diet? I was in Thailand and the elephants ate sugar cane and bananas and I’m not sure now if these are even good for them!
- REPLY
  Sara says
  February 22, 2023 at 12:10 am
  In captivity they are often fed similar diets. But I’m the wild, Asian elephants often eat grasses and roots, while African elephants enjoy trees, saplings, and bark.
Kenneth B. Newman says
February 22, 2023 at 12:53 am
Its kind of sad that Tamy WON’T be brought out of freedom this year, according to this article………Frankly, GSE should be MORE concerned about gathering money to rescue elephants, rather than just spending the money on the elephants who currently reside at GSE……A lot of people won’t like the tone of this comment, but I think that the MOST important job of GSE is to get elephants OUT of their presently BAD conditions, and with plenty of room at GSE, WHY should Tamy and the other 4-6 ? African elephants waiting to come to GSE be delayed?????
- REPLY
  Kat Blais says
  February 22, 2023 at 8:36 am
  hi kenneth. as intelligent human beings we always have the ability to adjust our tone and ask questions in a way that isn’t confrontational, in case that is really a concern of yours. we appreciate your take on what should be GSE’s most important job, but we would never rescue elephants we don’t have the ability to care for, and that means we need to spend money on them. we do hold fundraisers specifically at expanding the habitats, but many people want to donate to our current residents’ care, which is absolutely reasonable. Tamy’s timeline at this point isn’t determined by us, it is determined by EcoParque Mendoza and the steps they are taking to prepare P&G’s old enclosure, shift him over, and begin his training. I’m sure they have a facebook page if you would like to question them on where they are in their timeline. as for the 3 African elephants, they are waiting on permits, another thing we have absolutely no control over. once again, feel free to reach out to Ibama Brazil and ask what is taking so long- I’m sure they’ll be receptive and helpful. we are transparent in this process, and announce rescues way before they are due to arrive, unlike many sanctuaries, partly so people can understand all that goes into rescuing an elephant and how complex and long of a process it is- not so that people can criticize, but alas, that will always happen when you allow people to know what is going on versus surprising people post relocations. but that is who we are, and we accept the good with the bad in that regard. so, thanks for your concern, but as always, we are doing everything possible to get elephants out of bad situations and into sanctuary. but, if you happen to cross paths with someone who would like to donate 1.2 million to GSE so we can begin both expansions of the Asian and African yards, we would be extremely appreciative of that connection. until then, we will continue to appreciate all of our donors’ support, whether they give to Lady’s foot care, a new four-wheeler, some tasty snacks, steel for fencing, or whatever way they want to support the girls and our work. –kat
John says
February 22, 2023 at 12:28 pm
You have to wonder what is going on in her brain…. something like “oh wow, oh wow, oh wow, this is great, amazing….. I love this!”
Sheila says
February 23, 2023 at 4:22 am
Very nice u folks took Lady to the MENS SPACE. YES INDEED VERY AWESOME GRASS, TALL LIL LADY CAN HAVE A VERY NICE COZY BED AT NIGHT
GREAT FOR HER HEALTH AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH. ITS LIKE A VACATION TO 🐘LADY, ILL BET
Linda P says
March 31, 2023 at 10:31 am
Thank you for sharing-Lady is so special on her own way🐘🐘❤️❤️❤️
Linda P says
March 31, 2023 at 10:33 am
Quest-is there ever a time an elephant can have trouble swallowing large amounts of grass or hay ? Are they able to regurgitate?
- REPLY
  Sara says
  March 31, 2023 at 10:44 am
  We’ve never seen it happen, but they can cough, and it has been reported that they can vomit. So there doesn’t seem to be a reason they couldn’t get the grass up if necessary.

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