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Lady Shares a Neighboring Yard With Maia

Recently, Lady decided she wanted to move from the more dense environment of Yard 5 into Yard 1, near the barn. When she arrived, Maia was grazing in the neighboring yard. Scott thought it might be a good time to do foot soaks with Lady, so he checked to see if Maia was interested in moving farther away into Yard 4 to give Lady some space. Lady can become unsettled in her soaks if there are elephants in the yards near the barn and the treatment chute, since it puts her in a somewhat vulnerable position – so we always want to respect her feelings and keep her as comfortable as possible. 

At the time, Maia was enjoying some fresh grass and didn’t appear interested in shifting into a new spot. Lady also seemed content with where she was and started playing in the mud wallow and grazing. Since there was no urgency in doing foot soaks, we thought we would not worry about getting things done at that moment, and just allow them to be. It’s not often that Lady is in one of the yards near the barn at the same time as the other girls, and both Lady and Maia seemed really light and easy.

We like to take the opportunity to encourage the elephants to use the space that’s theirs in a way that is most natural for them. Deciding to interrupt the natural flow of things wouldn’t necessarily be beneficial in an instance like this. If treatment were absolutely imperative, we would encourage Maia to shift yards or do Lady’s treatment along the fence; there are many options. But sometimes it’s nice to give them space and time to enjoy what is occurring in an organic fashion. Even though the two weren’t side by side, they were still in relatively close proximity to one another, which was a nice moment for both of them. 

Photo of Lady

Comments(15)

  1. REPLY
    Benita Auge says
    December 6, 2022 at 2:09 pm

    You are so very respectful of their need for personal space and of their varied temperaments.

  2. REPLY
    Jeanine Sahulka says
    December 6, 2022 at 2:13 pm

    Everything looks so green and beautiful in that spot. I’m happy to hear when the elephants are having a good day.❤️

  3. REPLY
    JoAnn Merriman-Eaton says
    December 6, 2022 at 3:05 pm

    This reasoning by GSE to allow more closeness between Lady and Maia, and delay the foot soaks for Lady because they were not urgent, reflects the thoughtfulness of the staff to respect each elephant and their own space and needs. Total respect for GSE.❤️🐘❤️

  4. REPLY
    Andy Ingram says
    December 6, 2022 at 3:08 pm

    Lady’s looking quite smiley. Lovely to see.

  5. REPLY
    Carey says
    December 6, 2022 at 3:39 pm

    Perfect arrangement, just right. ; )

  6. REPLY
    Leslie says
    December 6, 2022 at 4:04 pm

    I love that you all really listen. What a great place to heal.❤️🐘🐘❤️

  7. REPLY
    Barb says
    December 6, 2022 at 4:14 pm

    Wonderful to know they were in close proximity! Lady might derive some heretofore unknown benefit.

  8. REPLY
    Sheila says
    December 6, 2022 at 5:53 pm

    Oh my. MZ LADY🐘💖. U SMILING LADY. I THINK. U WERE TRYING OUT A SMALLER Y YARD WILTH MAIAAS A NEW ADVENTURE. WOW U R BRAVE SWEET LADY💜🐘 WE LOVE TO KNOW U TRUSTED MAIA ALOT AND SCOTT TO GET THIS SHARE YARD ORGANIZED. I THINK PERHAPS U MIGHT BE WANTING TO TEST THE LADIES AND URSELF. IN SAME SPACE. ITS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL. TO KNOW. U STEPPED FORWARD IN TRUST, AND CONFIDENCE. THANKS 👏SO MUCH SCOTT🤞

  9. REPLY
    Bonnie says
    December 6, 2022 at 6:09 pm

    Lady has such a big smile on her face so cute

  10. REPLY
    Debbie Sides says
    December 6, 2022 at 6:51 pm

    Nice that they have plenty of space and the freedom to just be elephants. So happy they’re living in a place that is paradise on earth.💚

  11. REPLY
    Alana says
    December 6, 2022 at 7:02 pm

    Lady really does have the cutest face.
    I got my calendar “A year of elephants 2023” today, It’s beautiful & I can’t wait tell 01-01-2023 to hang it.

    • REPLY
      Sara says
      December 6, 2022 at 7:07 pm

      So happy you are enjoying it!

  12. REPLY
    Linda says
    December 6, 2022 at 7:03 pm

    …Maia’s new adventure… brave… trust……confidence…. Seems to be big step forward. Well put Sheila.

  13. REPLY
    Linda says
    December 6, 2022 at 7:06 pm

    Sorry, meant Lady’s new adventure.

  14. REPLY
    Anella Stewart says
    December 7, 2022 at 12:16 am

    I really have to marvel at our sweet Lady Bug. I don’t know how she manages to be alone night after night w/o feeling the need for company nearby. I guess elelphants aren’t so afraid of being on their own in the dark of night? I only wish she could get somewhat closer to one of her sisters at GSE just for the companionship, but she really seems to not mind being alone does she?
    I received my 2023 Calendar as well but it is a Christmas Gift to myself so will enjoy viewing all our beautiful girls Christmas morning.

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