As we have mentioned, Lady’s comfort level is cyclical – and some days are better than others. We work on her feet most days, with a foot soak and topicals in the morning, and scrubs and topicals in the afternoons.
The other day, while doing her afternoon treatment at the training wall in Yard 3, we asked for her foot. There is a footrest welded into the bars of the fence, at the “perfect” height for an elephant to rest their foot while we scrub, trim, inspect, or file. She picked up her foot, and, rather than putting it in the usual spot, she went the next section higher. This bar is relatively close to her chest height. It wasn’t something we asked for, but it’s a good muscle stretch, and she seemed comfortable. Apparently, it is where she felt her foot should be that day. We cleaned her foot, used the cold-therapy laser, and applied sprays while she comfortably propped it up nice and high.
When elephants with physical compromise do things like that, it makes us laugh a little. We have had people who worked with elephants saying that, during initial training, their elephant couldn’t lift their foot to the stool or the bar. If an elephant is in critical condition, this may be true, but most of the time, the elephants are playing their humans. They only lift their foot partway, and they still get treats, they act like it’s difficult, and they get praise and treats, all the while they are quite capable of lifting their foot that high and beyond. We have seen elephants pretend they can’t do a behavior with one person, only to have someone else walk up and they do it right away. They are smarter than many people give them credit for.
Elephants are very good at training their humans, and sometimes we let them when there’s no harm. But Lady is the kind of elephant who wants to show what she is capable of. Her feet may not be perfect, but she is strong, agile, and knows how to get extra handfuls of Froot Loops and lots of smiles. ?
Comments(15) 
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Nancy Shaw says
July 4, 2020 at 2:23 pmI LOVE HER !!!
Wim says
July 4, 2020 at 2:42 pmWonderful picture Your Ladyship. I presume you’ve been secretly training to impress everyone. Well done and yes you make the whole world smile and lovely rosy. ??
Gramma Tammy says
July 4, 2020 at 3:27 pmSmart is an understatement wow these girls are just amazing ??
Gillian Gandy says
July 4, 2020 at 3:52 pmDear sweet Lady you try so hard and I’m so proud of you.With lots of love from your English momxxx
Ann-Marie Jacobs-Brown says
July 4, 2020 at 4:43 pmMe, too!!!
Ann-Marie Jacobs-Brown says
July 4, 2020 at 4:44 pmTotally agree 🙂
Allison Guy says
July 4, 2020 at 4:58 pmLove the updates on all your elephants. Must be very satisfying work!
Renee' Killian-Zeiger says
July 4, 2020 at 6:45 pmUh yeah….well from a human lady to elephant Lady, I’d lift my foot over my head for FRUIT LOOPS! Loved them as a child, love them as a treat with a cup of milk as a grown up! Heck, now I’m hungry for sone Fruit Loops. Guess I gotta go to the market now!
SHEILA says
July 4, 2020 at 8:43 pmbravo sweetlil ?lady u have shown you are strong and resilient and perhaps you are eager to ger more live and treats from those humans who are chatting. With you and doing your treatments well lady we know ur a smart gal ansd you r really doing no wrong in anyway so i say just do as you like! Scots gang encourages this! So if you want to play tricks you do it sweety?? dont tell them but it keeps th caregivers on their “toes” too
Paula says
July 4, 2020 at 9:40 pmLady es adorable?
Toneladas y toneladas de elogios, mimos y golosinas!
Angelina Souren says
July 5, 2020 at 5:22 amShe’s quite a character, with a very clear mind of her own, and I love her photos!
I rehab the occasional pigeon now that I no longer have any animals of my own. I currently have one who behaves like a (tame) parrot to some degree, which makes me wonder if perhaps she was handraised by humans. They tend to come and find me these days if they need help, these critters. Some stay for a few days, others for much longer.
Enjoy your day!
Carey says
July 5, 2020 at 5:54 amSuper smart dear Lady .
Rosie P says
July 5, 2020 at 6:40 amI love these girls. With the traumas of the past having made such a significant mark on them, they still amaze us as their characters really begin to surface. Such stoicism, such majesty but a silly side and a crafty side to show us humans who cry tears for them that there can be much joy, too.
Shirley Taylor says
July 5, 2020 at 8:15 amI have always said we can learn so much from elephants and now reading your blogs on them I am learning. You are one step ahead of them I think just dont let those ladies know that though haha!! Love them Love you all for what you have done for these girls the difference in them is brilliant in the short time they have been with you. xx
Terry Feleppa says
July 5, 2020 at 8:52 pmLove those Lady steps!!!! She Rocks and I do believe we are all a bit smitten for her❤️
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