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Lady Ventures Into the Barn

When the first good rains came to sanctuary, Lady ventured to the back of Yard 5 again, which was no surprise. After Pocha’s passing, Lady did not return to the small yards by the barn, instead moving further into the deeper parts of the habitat. As time went on, she began to walk closer to the barn, still staying in Yard 5. Yesterday she indicated that she wanted to come in for foot soaks, which meant that we opened up the barn for her to enter the treatment chute. She walked into the stall and was visibly unsettled. We keep the gate behind Lady open so that she can leave whenever she wants and she didn’t choose to leave, but was incredibly watchful of everything around her. 

It seemed that any small change caught her attention: when the dogs barked, she would step out of the jacuzzi; when she heard 4-wheelers in the habitat, she would step out of the jacuzzi. Lady would only take brief breaks, but it was clear that there was an unease in the air. She appeared to want to have her foot soaks but, at first, had trouble getting comfortable in the setting. There is probably a different feel to everything surrounding that area that she is picking up on. Lady always seems to have an awareness of when strangers have been nearby, and that was the case with Pocha’s necropsy. There have been different voices, different smells, and just a different vibration in the air. Because Lady is very sensitive to these things, they undoubtedly impact her in ways that only she may understand. 

The longer Lady was in the cute getting her foot soaks, the more settled she became, and seemed to appreciate working through things. But there is no mistaking that Lady can tell that something is not “normal” at the moment. For now, she is still in Yard 1, but has access to Yard 5 and can leave any time she wants. If she seems to want to stay close to the barn – and depending on where Guillermina is – we may open up Yards 2 and 3 for Lady so that she can go into Yard 3 and try to get a grasp on what has happened on her own. Until then, we will leave things up to Lady and let her lead the way on where she is most comfortable spending her time. 

Photo of Lady

Comments(30)

  1. REPLY
    Pam says

    Thank you for these daily posts. So helpful and informative.

  2. REPLY
    Carol says

    Any necropsy findings yet?

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      Nothing yet. We hope to have preliminary results soon, but final determinations can take weeks. We’ll report as soon as we know something concrete.

  3. REPLY
    Cintia Abney says

    How sensitive she is ❤️ Hopefully she will start feeling her normal soon again

  4. REPLY
    Melinda says

    Lady is so wise and intuitive. Love you sweetie.

  5. REPLY
    Andy says

    Such a sensitive being and beautiful soul. She spends much time on her own but that seems what she is comfortable with. Me being a human I worry about her however she seems to know whats best for herself.
    Its always wonderful to hear what she is doing.

  6. REPLY
    Peggy Quentin says

    From that picture, does lady have a sore on her left cheek?

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      It’s an abscess that Lady came to sanctuary with. It was a pressure sore from lying on concrete for long periods of time. It does flare up from time to time, so we treat it often.

  7. REPLY
    Glena says

    How can I get a good photo of Pocha to frame?

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      We don’t sell photos of any of the elephants. Unless you are an EleGuardian, where you’d get a photo of P&G, the best thing I can suggest is downloading a photo from the website or Facebook and having it printed.

  8. REPLY
    Dawn says

    Lady Love!! Their minds are just brilliant,,,,they have a spiritual aura to me,,,,, THEY KNOW!!!!! Getting her foot done is just too cute!! I’m glad she relaxed. You guys are the best!! They are extremely loved and respected. ♥️♥️

  9. REPLY
    Constance S. Harris says

    Amazing how perceptive she is

  10. REPLY
    Tammy says

    Lady knows she’s aware of things being very different now just like Guille at Pochas gravesite dusting herself taking some time to process to grieve her mamas passing in our own way. Elephants have such an uncanny sense of their surroundings of anything out of place I guess in the wild its what keeps them safe protected from danger….💞😘 🐘

  11. REPLY
    Elizabeth says

    Sweet, sensitive Lady. Thank you for honoring her so completely.

  12. REPLY
    Wim says

    Hard times for the herd to move on again.
    They must be very sensitive.

  13. REPLY
    Elizabeth says

    Sweet Lady! She is smart and yet cautious of sounds and smells.

  14. REPLY
    Julie says

    Sweet, sensitive Lady. Thankfully ESB provides just the right atmosphere for sorting out the Ellie psyche.

  15. REPLY
    Susy says

    Gracias Santuario por contarnos diariamente la vida que llevan las chicas. Seguiremos esperando los resultados de la necropsia . Es muy triste saber que no volveremos a ver a nuestra amada y valiente mamá Pocha. Ella partió intuyendo que su trabajo de mamá fue excelente y que preparó lo mejor que pudo a su hija para la vida.

  16. REPLY
    Susy says

    Cómo está Guille?. Que hace estos… cómo los está transitando??. Pueden contarnos algo más o podemos verla a la peque Gui?

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      Guillermina has been spending the day surrounded by the other girls.

  17. REPLY
    Mônica Blenda says

    Quanto sensível o momento e Lady tão singular e perceptiva. Respeitar.

  18. REPLY
    JoAnn Merriman-Eaton says

    Lady Bug, you are aware, and perceptive of even the smallest details of your surroundings, so it is no surprise that strange voices and noises are unsettling to you. Guille and the girls are more quiet while they are absorbing and mourning their loss, and I’m sure you are aware of the difference in your sisters. Bless you sweet girl.

  19. REPLY
    Tracy H says

    Lovely Lady🐘. Such a sweet girl. So good to see she is doing well.

  20. REPLY
    Debbie coulsey says

    Her behavior makes me wonder just What happened to her during her life. Something drastic or emotionally unbearable is back there in her memories . Seeking peace & quiet is her way to soothe herself. Change is scary & probably brings on the flight risk. Hopefully she can find solace in listening to the other ele’s & also with Kats voice & her actions. 💞💞💞

  21. REPLY
    Bonnie says

    is that a boo boo on ladies right side by her ear

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      That is an old abscess that she has had for years. We make sure to treat it regularly.

  22. REPLY
    Debbie coulsey says

    Have you tried honey in her abscess? It’s supposed to be good. 💞☺️

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      We have a whole medical regimen, but we don’t use honey.

  23. REPLY
    Beji says

    Not that I have favorites….but I do….and she is it!!

  24. REPLY
    Luis says

    Que hermosa es Lady, toda una señorita y como es sensible y delicada.

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