Getting Braver: Lady Pushes Her Boundaries

The always-cute Lady has been continuing to, well, be cute. She has been pushing her comfort level with socializing and getting closer to Mara, Bambi, and Rana.

Recently, Lady has been in Yard 3 at night, and Mara, Bambi, and Rana usually descend upon Yard 2 during night feed. We can use so many adjectives to describe those three elephants, but we definitely wouldn’t call them “quiet.” The three usually show up at the barn right after Kat and Scott start preparing for night feed. As the group approaches – and when they arrive – they typically have some celebration featuring a significant amount of vocalizations.

Despite sometimes being in the vicinity of the barn at night, Lady usually avoids their area when they are around. In the past week or two, she has come down to the barn when the three arrive and spends time near them. She still maintains her preferred distance, but we see her trying to be a part of things in her way. The three together can be a bit intimidating in general, and Lady is a very petite elephant. They are all bigger than her, yet she is still choosing to push her boundaries and approach them from a distance.

We try to let the elephants do everything at their own pace. When they do things on their own – like when Lady approaches others or Bambi goes deeper in the ponds – we encourage them. We like to see them engage more or stay a little closer to the others, but on their terms. Encouragement can mean anything from verbal praise to tossing fruit, hay, or other treats their way.

Lady usually receives some hay and fruit at night feed, but she gets a little extra when she is near the others.

Photo of Lady

Comments(22)

Katie Howard says
March 6, 2021 at 2:42 pm
She looks marvelous! SO happy to hear she is venturing beyond her comfort zone. ??
Charlotte Hansen says
March 6, 2021 at 3:10 pm
Thank you so much for telling about our Lady!! I’ve been worrying about her while the others have been making so much progress in their friendships. Your explanation of what’s going on is very, very helpful! You guys are the best!!
John says
March 6, 2021 at 3:15 pm
Wouldn’t you love to know what she’s thinking? Ahhh but the mystery of elephants is also quite sublime.
Barb says
March 6, 2021 at 3:15 pm
Braveheart Lady! In her own way she is “hanging out” with the gang. Extra treats can’t hurt :o)
Alana says
March 6, 2021 at 3:41 pm
I’m so happy this progress is happening now before the 2 new girls arrive.
Julie says
March 6, 2021 at 3:59 pm
Nice straw hat, little Lady! Sending you love and kisses!
SHEILA says
March 6, 2021 at 4:01 pm
OH YES! LIL ❤️?LADY??. GREAT U R GETTING BRAVER! WE KNOW IN UR HEART AND MIND U WANT COMFORT AND FUN WITH THESE OTHER LADIES BUT UR JUST NOT USED TO BEING AROUND OTHER ELEPHANTS AND PERHAPS MEMORIES OF BAD EVENTS SO UR FEARFUL‼️IM PRAYING YOU ARE GROWING FONDER OF THE BIG NOISEY FUNNY LADIES LIL ?SWEET AND WILL JOIN THEM IN A VERY SHORT TIME??
Nancy Shaw says
March 6, 2021 at 4:05 pm
Love her Bonnet !!
Kelejan says
March 6, 2021 at 4:25 pm
Lady is just like all human ladies; some shy, some very extrovert, some like their own company: all come from differing backgrounds. I think every elephant that arrives at GSE gets better and happier.
If I were and elephant and did not have my own family, then I would be happy to live at this Sanctuary.
Tracy H says
March 6, 2021 at 4:28 pm
Such a sweet brave little girl. You keep doing you sweet lady. You’ll get there in your own time. Love the hay hat.?????
Melinda says
March 6, 2021 at 4:30 pm
I wonder how Lady will relate to the mom and daughter, hopefully, coming soon to the sanctuary.
Tara Brooks says
March 6, 2021 at 5:04 pm
Lady is so adorable! I just love them all and can’t wait to hear their stories. Thank you for sharing.
Lis says
March 6, 2021 at 5:20 pm
Has Lady not been around other elephants in her life? I know all have their own personalities, so is she just shy by nature in addition to her size or her background ?
- REPLY
  Kat Blais says
  March 7, 2021 at 2:40 pm
  We’re not sure about her history with other elephants, there are many different versions of her life that have been shared with us and there’s no knowing which is true. She was in the circus, and many circuses here have ‘stored’ elephants at facilities with others, so she most likely had run-ins with other elephants. It’s possible they weren’t very positive interactions. We’ll never know.
Bernadette M Andaloro says
March 6, 2021 at 6:00 pm
Such a cute picture of the lovely Lady!
Debbie Sides says
March 6, 2021 at 9:10 pm
Love her hay frock she’s sporting! Glad to know she’s getting brave to stay near the other girls. I can’t wait for her reaction towards Guillermina. To have a baby live there is so exciting!
Gayle says
March 7, 2021 at 12:23 am
Lady is a doll! She and the other elephants are so lucky to be able to live out their lives on their own terms and timetables. Being able to be who they are at their core, is a great gift bestowed upon them by their kind and compassionate humane friends. ❤️
Beji says
March 7, 2021 at 11:00 am
She is cute!! I’m having some trouble imaging a petite elephant. Isn’t that an oxymoron? Whatever…. it’s fab that she’s just being an elephant.
Bertica Valdes Suarez says
March 7, 2021 at 12:43 pm
Lady looks to me like she’s saying: “Hello! Happy to see you in my little corner of my sanctuary. Want to graze with me for a little while?”
Kelejan says
March 7, 2021 at 3:51 pm
It will certainly be something different for the others as they will not have had much to do with mothers with daughters. It is going to be so very interesting watching them them getting to know each other.
Rachel says
March 7, 2021 at 5:23 pm
Thanks for the update on the very special Lady. It’s great to hear she’s decided to spend more time near the other eles. Another positive step that is cause for celebration – and I love that adorable straw hat she has going on 🙂
Sallie says
March 7, 2021 at 10:34 pm
Lady is a Smart Cookie! She does give the impression of an Elder Auntie, but she is not demanding a curtsy. Just a smile, a bit of hay and melon . . . and hopefully a sweet rumble. And Chanel would be proud of her sense of style, since she wears a hay hat so well . . . A great place for later snacks! You Go Girl!

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