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) 
















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Benita Auge says
December 6, 2022 at 2:09 pmYou are so very respectful of their need for personal space and of their varied temperaments.
Jeanine Sahulka says
December 6, 2022 at 2:13 pmEverything looks so green and beautiful in that spot. I’m happy to hear when the elephants are having a good day.❤️
JoAnn Merriman-Eaton says
December 6, 2022 at 3:05 pmThis 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.❤️🐘❤️
Andy Ingram says
December 6, 2022 at 3:08 pmLady’s looking quite smiley. Lovely to see.
Carey says
December 6, 2022 at 3:39 pmPerfect arrangement, just right. ; )
Leslie says
December 6, 2022 at 4:04 pmI love that you all really listen. What a great place to heal.❤️🐘🐘❤️
Barb says
December 6, 2022 at 4:14 pmWonderful to know they were in close proximity! Lady might derive some heretofore unknown benefit.
Sheila says
December 6, 2022 at 5:53 pmOh 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🤞
Bonnie says
December 6, 2022 at 6:09 pmLady has such a big smile on her face so cute
Debbie Sides says
December 6, 2022 at 6:51 pmNice 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.💚
Alana says
December 6, 2022 at 7:02 pmLady 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.
Sara says
December 6, 2022 at 7:07 pmSo happy you are enjoying it!
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.
Linda says
December 6, 2022 at 7:06 pmSorry, meant Lady’s new adventure.
Anella Stewart says
December 7, 2022 at 12:16 amI 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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Lady Shares a Neighboring Yard With Maia