Summer in Tennessee brings an abundance of tall, lush grasses, and African elephant Nosey is often seen grazing throughout The Sanctuary's habitats. In recent months, she has spent more time exploring Woodland, the recently expanded 137-acre habitat that connects the Hickory and Buckeye habitats. On several occasions, she has traveled throughout Woodland long enough that Caregivers needed additional time to locate her, reflecting the increased time she is choosing to spend exploring these areas.
Nosey has also been utilizing Buckeye Barn and Habitat while Artie and Osh explore the Woodland habitat together. These periods give her access to habitat areas she has had fewer opportunities to explore in the past, as well as the barn's sand stalls, where Caregivers frequently observe her resting.
During routine care sessions, Nosey continues to participate in Protected Contact training and takes part in garden hose baths and scrub brush sessions. She has even been documented lying in recumbency during some of these sessions, allowing Caregivers access to her back and head.
Socially, Nosey is frequently observed interacting with Edie and Mikki across habitat barriers, particularly overnight. In recent months, Caregivers have documented several occasions when all three elephants were active simultaneously, moving throughout their habitats and vocalizing.
Shared space opportunities continue to be introduced gradually. During some shared space sessions with Mikki and Punch, Nosey has shown behaviors that suggest reduced confidence, including moving away quickly, which can result in chasing. Across habitat barriers, however, affiliative interactions between Nosey, Edie, and Mikki continue regularly. As with all introductions at The Sanctuary, shared space is guided by each elephant's behavior and comfort level.
Following Sissy's move to Willow Barn, Nosey continued visiting Sissy through the connected habitat areas during the early months after her move. As Sissy's mobility declined, she spent more of her time close to Willow Barn, where the terrain and nearby veterinary support best met her needs. Because Sissy was living independently at Willow Barn at the time of her passing due to the need for close monitoring, the circumstances surrounding her end-of-life care were different than for elephants living within an established herd.
Throughout her time at Willow, Sissy continued to have opportunities to see, hear, and smell neighboring elephants. While Nosey shared a unique relationship with Sissy, she also continues to have opportunities for social interaction with other elephants at the Sanctuary. As always, the Elephant Care Team continues to monitor Nosey, along with all resident elephants, and support opportunities for social interaction.