About a year ago, the maintenance team was working on an area of the sanctuary and found some nice looking dirt. (Did you know working with elephants helps you develop an appreciation for dirt? ?). The team used the “scooper” of the backhoe to save it and made a nice pile of soil outside the habitat for the elephants.
It ended up being a large pile, and the dusting piles don’t need topping off very frequently, which means we are still using dirt from this pile. It turns out the elephants really, really like this dirt.
There has always been a bit of a step down from Stall 1 to Yard 1. It’s not a big step – the other elephants (and humans) easily navigate it, but we notice Lady hesitating there. We are very sensitive to her feet and any issues they may cause, so we pulled from the “dirt pile” to make the incline more gradual. Since the backhoe would already need to go into the habitat to do this, Scott decided to top off the other dirt piles in Yards 1 & 2 at the same time. For ease of coordination and safety, we closed Lady in the barn briefly (just after her treatment) while the habitat was open, which gave Lady a front-row seat to the excitement.
Lady watched all “her” dirt coming in with a big cheesy grin. Once Scott completed the project, Lady exited the barn but didn’t make it very far. She spent a good amount of time dusting just outside of the stall and then went and checked out all her other new dirt. She seemed to approve of the minor upgrade.
It’s super cute, and always nice to watch the elephants rejoice in the little things.
Photo of Lady nicely coated in her new dirt (in the form of mud) with Maia in the background.
Comments(11) 












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Patricia says
March 25, 2020 at 4:23 pmWhat can I say? I love Lady madly! I love you all madly! ?????
Kelejan says
March 25, 2020 at 4:30 pmAll these little improvements make life joyous for the elephants. They are clever enough to know that you are doing it for them.
Barb says
March 25, 2020 at 4:33 pmCharming “hat” of mud on Lady! New appreciation of uses for dirt ?❤️?
Sherry says
March 25, 2020 at 5:47 pmOH, YES, Dirt is fun and it feels good too!
CyrAnn says
March 25, 2020 at 5:58 pmI just love Lady’s precious face. I know she understands what your all doing for her and her every growing trust of you shows it!!!!!!!!!!
SHEILA says
March 25, 2020 at 6:19 pmoh my. just seeing such a happy cute ?smiling lil ?lady face‼️ m goodness that. sweet lil ?lady is so cute and happy! wow maybe she will very soon be ready to cruize habitat with rana ?and ?maia looking for more “cool sun hats”
Nancy Shaw says
March 25, 2020 at 6:23 pmNICE Hairdo !!! hahaha
Heidi says
March 25, 2020 at 6:42 pmSuch a lucky lady. Thank you for all the big “small things” you do for the girls!
Kelejan says
March 25, 2020 at 7:00 pmAnd wonderful for the complexion.
JoAnn Merriman Eaton says
March 25, 2020 at 7:15 pmLady, I rejoice with you on each new experience. I know you love these wonderful, thoughtful caretakers as much as I do!❤️?❤️
Alana says
March 25, 2020 at 8:40 pmI second all post ahead of me, she looks so contented & Happy.
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