elephant behavior

Video: Maia’s Expressive Eyes

Maia has eyes that are uniquely expressive and show her excitement or curiosity in a dramatic and charming fashion. She often wants to know what is going on around her, but doesn’t always turn her head or her body, as other elephants might. Instead, she uses her eyes, moving them…...

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Video: A Curious Lady Watches Mara Up Close

It seems that Lady’s curiosity is pushing her to expand her circle of comfort just a bit. On a recent evening, she traveled from Yard 5 into the yards closer to the barn around dinnertime. This is pretty unusual for Lady because, once she goes into her favorite spots in…...

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Snap, Crackle, and Pop Go the Tree Limbs

If you are looking for an elephant who knows how to entertain herself, then Maia is your girl. While she is spending more time with the other ladies than before, she still enjoys solo walks through some of the wooded areas of the habitat. And, when she is in the…...

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Elephant Myths: True or False – Are Elephant Graveyards Real?

Over hundreds of years there have been legends of mysterious places where elephants travel when it is time for them to die. Some folklore even says that this magical spot calls to dying elephants as they search for a final resting place. For years, explorers searched for such a location,…...

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EleFact Friday: How Do Elephants Breathe?

Happy EleFact Friday. We’ve discussed several physical characteristics elephants possess that make them different from other land mammals, and today we’ll be adding their lungs to that list. ...

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You Ask, We Answer: How Do Elephants React to Cold Weather?

After a recent post about a change in temperature here in Brazil, we had several people ask questions about how elephants react to cooler weather, and what the sanctuary does to prepare for cold weather events. We thought we’d share a bit about what we’ve learned and how we would…...

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