Sticks Galore For Pupy

Pupy has really taken to sanctuary life and all that comes with it. A few times, she has appeared out of nowhere at mealtime, chomping on a branch. Yesterday at dinner, caregivers had to wait on her to finish munching on her branch, which made her in less of a rush to come for her meal. Besides, she knows we’ll wait for her. Large sticks, small sticks–they’re all tasty snacks for Pupy.

She now has access to practically untouched native vegetation at sanctuary, and it’s remarkable how quickly she has gotten in tune with the natural world. We’ve found that elephants very quickly revert to innate behaviors once they have the opportunity to make their own choices. They aren’t in survival mode anymore, which allows who they really are to shine through. Many elephants begin to graze on grass and browse, dust themselves with sand and dirt, and cover themselves with mud and water almost immediately after arrival at sanctuary.

As for Pupy, she has a few favorite types of trees, bushes, and bark. We’ve been collecting samples of her most frequently eaten bites of browse so that our visiting researcher can study what Pupy prefers to eat and how she’s interacting with the plants in the habitat. She’s becoming a full-fledged sanctuary girl right before our eyes.

P.S.: As part of the Trunks & Treasures auction, a lucky winner was able to name the mud wallow in the female African habitat. The sister team of Sheila and Gwynne have decided that from here on out, the wallow will be known as Club Mud! Here’s to many years of muddy fun for the elephants at Elephant Sanctuary Brazil.

Comments(9)

Barbara L Smith says
July 15, 2025 at 3:10 pm

Pupy was eating her appetizer, when you arrived with dinner.🥰
Ada says
July 15, 2025 at 3:50 pm

I love the freedom these majestic eles have in the sanctuary. The freedom to do whatever they want😌🥰
Jane says
July 15, 2025 at 3:53 pm

It’s rude to deliver the entree when the diner is still working on their appetizer.
Doe Fowler says
July 15, 2025 at 5:45 pm

Pupy seems content and at peace in her new home with wild, open spaces to explore. Big thanks to all making this Pupy’s new world. Makes my heart content and at peace too! Love you Pupy forever! 🐘🫶😘
Patricia says
July 15, 2025 at 6:59 pm

Sweet tree muncher Pupalita! I love you. 😘😘😘
Julie says
July 15, 2025 at 8:17 pm

Club Mud, I like it! I love to see Pupy getting relaxed and knowing sanctuary is now her home!
Bonnie says
July 16, 2025 at 1:59 am

Eat Pupy Eat she’s having a good old time
Sarah Finlayson says
July 16, 2025 at 4:35 am

It’s wonderful n good news to see Pupy has her own place. Hopefully she will become friend of Kanya. Thanks for saving Pupy. They are smart animals.
Pamela Payton says
July 16, 2025 at 8:24 am

While this is a wonderful environment and hopefully getting better as we learn more about these magnificent animals, as we all know, it is still second best to roaming in their native land. As we also know, tho, humans have made that possible. Sad.

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