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Morning Breakfast

On this particular morning, five elephants lined up against the fence in Yard 5 for their early meal. Scott starts off talking to Guille as she enjoys her fresh hay, grain, and produce. Bambi had scooted over near Guille’s pile of food, hoping to share, but ended up stopping and staying with her own serving. Scott walks down the fence line to meet up with Rana, Mara, and Maia, explaining that Mara gets a little extra food to make sure her stomach stays well fed and happy after past GI issues.

Everyone is very calm and seems to be enjoying themselves in a relaxed way. Scott talks a little bit about how though those who don’t seem to believe in sanctuary may not understand the ways we care for elephants, it’s still very manageable to make sure that each elephant gets the attention and medical care needed – all while maintaining their natural lives as much as possible. 

P.S.: Listen at the end for Guillermina’s cute vocal attempt to convince Bambi to let her have some hay.

Comments(15)

  1. REPLY
    CAROL says

    Our precious pumpkins…such beauties…

  2. REPLY
    Melinda says

    That was an adorable video! So awesome watching happy, healthy elephants just being themselves!
    But, why on earth would anyone object to sanctuary???

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      There are people who don’t understand the concept, that believe elephants are better off in the “homes” they’ve had for decades, with keepers they’re familiar with – and lots of other things. Seeing elephants who have transformed over time at sanctuary has changed many minds, though.

  3. REPLY
    Nancy says

    Thank You Scott! Love your narratives.

  4. REPLY
    Melinda says

    Ugh, sorry but I call that total ignorance. Their true homes were in the wild with their birth families, from which they were stolen. But I’m happy you are changing hearts and minds for these wonderful beings!

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      Education is the key to greater acceptance. That’s part of our goal here and each day we prove that sanctuary is the best possible option for captive elephants. The more we work, hopefully the bigger difference we can make.

  5. REPLY
    Luanne L Schick says

    Thank you Scott. You are Angels 😇 without visible wings 😇. God bless 🙌 🙏 all your Amazing Hearts. Love ❤️ Love Santuary.
    Ban all ZOO’S! aquariums! Santuary is a freedom for elephants 🐘. Love ❤️ Huzs from Alberta Canada ❤️ 🇨🇦.

  6. REPLY
    Charlotte Hansen says

    What a fun video! thank you, Sara and Scott, for the explanations. I can’t BELIEVE some people don’t appreciate the benefits of sanctuary for the elephants or for any animal that has been held captive in zoos or circuses! It’s mind-boggling!

  7. REPLY
    Johnny says

    Loved hearing the explanation by Scott why and how they do the morning feeding. What lovely girls!

  8. REPLY
    Wim says

    Beautiful together in this peaceful breakfast club.

  9. REPLY
    Susan Flewelling says

    How do you work Lady into the mix to ensure she gets in on the action? Do you have to take food and meds to her or does she eventually make her way to you?

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      We take food, medicine, and footwork supplies to her, wherever she is at the moment. Sometimes she might come to the barn, but often she’s out exploring.

  10. REPLY
    Benita Auge says

    After having been treated so cruelly in the past, do these elephants occasionally express their repressed anger toward the current caretakers? Can you trust them 100% of the time?

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      One of the reasons that we use protected contact, other than for the elephants’ comfort, is that we hope for the best and plan for the worst. We have learned a lot from elephants and encourage them to understand that we are listening to them. Anger is a valid expression after years of abuse and neglect.

  11. REPLY
    Marcia says

    All ANYONE would have to do is watch the before and after videos of your sanctuary elephants to see the dramatic change in these animals almost overnight. That one early video of Bambi almost dancing down the path a few days after her arrival says it all.

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