Pupy Gets a Cooling Bath

Once again, Pupy has been venturing outside of the barn area and deeper into the habitat. She’s gone from being red from the sand and dirt to turning green from the trees, grass, and brush. That’s a good sign, since it shows that she’s daring to explore further than ever before.

Tonight at dinner time she was at the east end of Yard 2, so she’s clearly getting more comfortable checking things out. We made sure to bring her near all of the water troughs in the yards so she is aware that she doesn’t have to come back to the barn when she’s thirsty or wants to cool down. However, as you can see, she does still enjoy a hose bath. She even turned around and let Scott wash her back side this morning. All of this moisture, along with the scrubbing she’s getting from walking through the brush and from dusting with sand and dirt are working to exfoliate her skin; it’s already beginning to look much better.

This afternoon, Pupy worked with some of her care team on practicing the behaviors she will need for treatment and evaluations. She learned many of the necessary skills when she was training for her sanctuary trip, but sometimes when elephants regain their ability to make choices, they need some extra encouragement to recall and follow the needed behavior. It’s a delicate balance between allowing humans in when necessary, and preserving the essential autonomy that comes with a more natural life. We are already treating a pressure sore she got from lying down on hard surfaces, and she’s been a rockstar every step of the way. Pupy is responding well to all of her caregivers and has been super calm all day. We’re impressed with how far she’s come and how brave she’s being.

Comments(21)

Julie says
April 22, 2025 at 7:24 pm

Kermit the elephant, yay!
Terry says
April 22, 2025 at 7:26 pm

Pupy has this kind of peacefulness about her. I’ve always seen Asian elephants in person and through the sanctuary life here in Brazil. I always pictured African elephants as these big, wild ones in Africa. I look forward to learning more about Pupy and African elephants!
Jeanine says
April 22, 2025 at 7:51 pm

What a beautiful life Pupy has now.❤️
Tammy says
April 22, 2025 at 8:29 pm

Wow, Pupy has just blossomed hasn’t she! Its amazing to see the progress she’s made at lightening speed but then again she must feel so comfortable with Scott Kat and her team of caregivers and of course being at that beautiful Sanctuary with sooo many interesting things to explore! Have fun Pupy you gorgeous girl you and she truly is especially those great big beautiful ears of hers! 😘 🐘
Lili says
April 22, 2025 at 8:36 pm

Mil gracias por mantenernos informados de los progresos y el estado de ánimo de Pupy! Se la ve FELIZ y eso nos llena el alma!
Gracias por la hermosa atención que les brindan a los grandotes cuando llegan al Santuario después de una vida miserable en zoos, circos y otros antros horribles.
JoAnn Merriman-Eaton says
April 22, 2025 at 9:15 pm

Pupy is really making up for lost time. Living her best life, exploring her new vast area home. She is truly a hero! So brave.🐘❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Kenneth B. Newman says
April 22, 2025 at 9:45 pm

Such wonderful news !!!! I can’t wait for Kenya to get there, so they have each others company !!!!

Are there any other African elephants which are being considered for transport to GSE?
- REPLY
  Sara says
  April 22, 2025 at 9:48 pm
  
  There are always other elephants that we are working to bring to sanctuary. We will share when we know details.
Susan says
April 22, 2025 at 10:01 pm

So wonderful to see her enjoying her natural environment and just being able to be herself.
Andy says
April 22, 2025 at 10:24 pm

Beautiful, courageous, adventurous Pupy. 💕🐘
Ada says
April 22, 2025 at 10:30 pm

Pupy is adjusting beautifully in her new home. So nice to see her continue to thrive. She is where she belongs. Happy wandering sweet girl😘
Angela says
April 23, 2025 at 12:39 am

Thank you for all the updates and videos. To see her becoming an elephant is such a privalage.
Patricia says
April 23, 2025 at 1:28 am

Pupy, what an amazing darling girl you are! Love to you, beautiful, and your hoomans and the girls down the hill. 💗🐘💗
Katherine says
April 23, 2025 at 5:01 am

Lovely
Denise says
April 23, 2025 at 5:34 am

These videos are amazing to see, thank you. It is so nice to see all the elephants you save, can’t wait to see Kenya arrive and how they interact. Thank you so much for all you do for these amazing creatures
Beji says
April 23, 2025 at 10:19 am

She came from a black and white world. Now, she’s in her new technicolor world. An elephant of many colors….
Rachel says
April 23, 2025 at 10:55 am

These videos always make me smile and my heart fill with gratitude. Wonderful way to start the day. Thank you. 🙏 💕
Beci says
April 23, 2025 at 2:43 pm

It looks like she likes humans. Anytime I see her in these videos she is going towards the people. Scott she tends to come towards your voice or turn around when she hears you. It is so wonderful how she is so enjoying all of the experience. For all those yrs people really missed out on what a special personality Pupy has. So easy to fall in love with. When the male elephants get there does she get to be with them even though the sex is different?
- REPLY
  Sara says
  April 23, 2025 at 2:58 pm
  
  We hope that with time she will be less drawn to humans and more drawn to the natural environment. And, no, male and female elephants won’t share space.
Nancy says
April 24, 2025 at 10:28 pm

Another “WELCOME HOME!”
Finn Jørgensen Lock says
April 30, 2025 at 5:52 pm

It’s so good to see her being so relaxed, calm 💕💕

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