The Return of Lady

After quite a few weeks in Yard 4, Lady has headed back to the barn. She seems like she’s in a great place emotionally- light and comfortable. While Lady still receives foot treatments while in Yard 4, being near the barn allows her to have daily foot soaks in her jacuzzi tubs – and all of the treats that come along with the 15-minute soak. She seems to be enjoying the extra TLC that comes with being near the barn.

Along with Lady returning to the barn, Karissa, our US-based trainer/caregiver, has returned to the sanctuary for a few weeks. Karissa is a protected contact and positive reinforcement trainer who comes periodically to work with the elephants. She’s working with all the elephants while she is here but will be focusing on helping Bambi better understand the concept of reward-based training, and trying to get her to focus a little better. Training at Elephant Sanctuary Brazil uses positive reinforcement –food treats and verbal praise – to help the elephants understand what we would like them to do. This is Karissa’s first time meeting Mara and Bambi and she is falling in love with the newest members of our herd.

Comments(13)

Sherry says
December 28, 2020 at 4:14 pm
These elephants are intelligent and are being trained appropriately, by positive reenforcement. I always trained my dogs by
positive reenforcement and I know it works. One lady told me her chihuahua could not be potty trained and I said I know you can by positive reenforcement and patience.
FRANCINE FORD says
December 28, 2020 at 5:08 pm
I’ve been wondering where Ms Lady bug had gone off to. 😉 Ms Independent! I wonder if she left any grass for the others. LOL
I wonder if she came back to greet the new hooman “guest”.
❤?❤?❤?❤?❤?
Julie says
December 28, 2020 at 5:17 pm
Thank you for the post. I love to hear about the community of caregivers you all have assembled, and I love to hear that Mara and Bambi’s fan club is growing. ? Please keep us posted on Bambi’s progress with positive reinforcement and focusing….very interesting
Tammy says
December 28, 2020 at 6:06 pm
Wow Lady looks fabulous! Keep doing whatever it is you’re doing girl it’s working for you ??
Kelejan says
December 28, 2020 at 6:22 pm
It almost goes without saying that people fall in love with the elephants at GSE because the elephants
are treated with love and respect so the the elephants expect that from everyone at Sanctuary.
Nancy Shaw says
December 28, 2020 at 6:56 pm
Well that was heart-felt : )
bo says
December 28, 2020 at 7:00 pm
…and the ladies will fall in love with Karissa too.
hope Bambi and Mara will figure out that it is all tender, love, caring and positive treatment, and of course if meetings with Lady, Maia and Rana will happen, all the same.
Sallie says
December 28, 2020 at 10:33 pm
YAY! WELCOME KARISSA, I AM SURE YOU ARE FALLING IN LOVE WITH EACH OF THESE INCREDIBLE GIRLS! I BET IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO LEAVE ALL THE BEAUTY & BEAUTIES OF GSE. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE TO HELP IMPROVE THEIR LIVES. BEST OF THE HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOURS . . . SO APPRECIATED.
SHEILA says
December 29, 2020 at 12:36 am
OH GREAT LIL ❤️ SWEET ?LADY. ITS TIME U RETURNED TO GETTING FOOT TREATMENT YOUNG LADY❗️ IM ANXIOUS TO HEAR IF HER FEET ARE HEALING UP WELL SINCE SHE HASNT BEEN GETTING THE SAME GREAT JACCUZI SOAKINGS!! WHO KNOWS SHES CERTAINLY BEEN WORKING ON HER FEAR AND FLEE FACTOR OF THE OTHER ?LADIES! SO MAYBE SHE FEELS LONELY FOR HUMAN TOUCH TOO AND VERBAL❤️ LOVE! MAYBE CURIOUS WHATS GOING ON HEARING THE AFRICAN BARN BLDG NOISE! SO NICE MZ LADY IS EAGER TO GET HER TREATMENTS! TRIMMINGS! EXAMINATIONS! VITAMINS! ETC!
AND MOST IF ALL THE WONDERFUL TREATS? NICE KARISSA CAN WORK WITH HER SPIRIT! COACHING HER FOR MORE TRAINING?
Beji says
December 29, 2020 at 1:53 am
She is a beauty. How lucky all your staff is to have the privilege to be with these magnificent creatures every day. It must be humbling. Good vibes coming your way from St. Louis!!
Rosie P says
December 29, 2020 at 3:03 am
Who could not help falling in love with all the ellies at ESB. I am sure Bambi will enjoy the attention from Karissa and get some positive training. I shall look forward to hearing how she is progressing.
Gorgeous photo of Lady, she’s looking good, bless her beautiful heart!
Thank you for all you do for these precious girls…..I sound like a broken record but there it is! I am so grateful.
Carey says
January 13, 2021 at 8:47 pm
How are her feet?
- REPLY
  Kat Blais says
  January 14, 2021 at 3:58 pm
  Not much of a change from our last update. Possibly slightly improved but definitely not getting worse.

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