Pupy is Exploring Her Elephant Nature

April 20, 2025

Pupy was out exploring early this morning, continuing to rediscover what it means to be an African elephant — enjoying the simple, beautiful things like stripping bark from trees and, of course, knocking a few down along the way. She also spent some time this morning enjoying her huge pile of sand.

We’ll do our best to go live later today to share a little of her world with you, though we aren’t sure how well the internet will hold up out in the habitat. It’s unlikely we’ll go live this morning, but we’ll try later today.

Comments(14)

REPLY
Sue says
April 20, 2025 at 12:56 pm

She is amazing!! Is this just instinct on her part? Did they have access to any trees or shrubs before? I am always so amazed when they just naturally start to access their surroundings when they get to Sanctuary! I love her!! Thank you for all the sharing moments you provide us with! ❤️🐘❤️
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  Sara says
  April 20, 2025 at 1:44 pm
  
  She didn’t have any trees or brush growing in her enclosure at the ecoparque. This is a perfect example of how quickly elephants can access that instinctual behavior. They return to it almost immediately!
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Tammy says
April 20, 2025 at 1:12 pm

Happy Easter everyone and what a joyous day it is! Not only with it being Easter but Pupy is doing fantastic so so happy to hear that she is exploring her new home and what an amazing one it is! Can’t wait to see her live doing what elephants do in the wild! Happy days ahead God bless everyone have a blessed day, Tammy🕊🙏🐘
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Barbara L Smith says
April 20, 2025 at 1:32 pm

Pupy is great peeling bark. At last she can be an elephant.
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Sue says
April 20, 2025 at 1:56 pm

Thank you for your reply Sara! It must be so satisfying to get out there and investigate all the exciting new things Sanctuary has to offer. She certainly looked proud of herself after she knocked down that tree, and so she should! She brings so much joy! Thank you again to everyone at Sanctuary and your endless dedication to caring for these lovely eles! ❤️❤️❤️
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Jane says
April 20, 2025 at 2:23 pm

Am I correct in understanding that where she was there were no trees/grass etc ?
So amazing that she immediately “becomes” a typical ele in her interactions with nature .
What is your take on her mood now ?
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  Sara says
  April 20, 2025 at 3:20 pm
  
  It’s a great example of how quickly elephants can return to their natural roots. At the moment, Pupy is calm but inquisitive. She’s taking her time to learn the new environment.
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Renee says
April 20, 2025 at 2:43 pm

Lordy look at that girl go! I can’t even imagine what it feels like for Pupy to get to be a REAL elephant just doing elephant things like pushing down a tree just because she can! That had to feel so good!!! I love all ellies but my heart has always had a big spot for Africans! I’m soooo excited for Pupy to begin this journey of autonomy! Flap those big ears girl! Flap on!! ❤️🥰❤️🥰 I must confess….I literally had my phone on me all day watching and waiting for Pupy to exit her crate. She literally just needed her space and time! Thank you Scott, Kat and ALL of you who were and are a part of freeing these elephants from the captivity they are in. Even though these girls are still technically in captivity, it’s a whole different world to get to just be as autonomous as they can! God bless all of you and Happy Easter! ✝️
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Bonnie says
April 20, 2025 at 3:00 pm

i figured she’d go exploring more in the daylight question if you can answer why did she knock down the tree and then just walk away
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  Sara says
  April 20, 2025 at 3:22 pm
  
  She’s just now getting in touch with her wilder African behavior. That’s a common thing for African elephants to do.
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Bonnie says
April 20, 2025 at 3:12 pm

thanks for the videos when she knocked down the tree she looked at it and just walked away she’s exploring
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Zoi Flores says
April 20, 2025 at 3:33 pm

It was fantastic to see Pupy knocking down the tree, looking at it with her beautiful eyes as saying Oops!… and walking away with a little branch. LOL! I’ll keep this video. 💚🐘 thank you for all the love,
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Julie says
April 20, 2025 at 4:03 pm

African elephants are amazing, so strong and beautiful with their big ears!
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Finn Jørgensen Lock says
April 20, 2025 at 6:01 pm

❤❤❤

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