Care Staff have noted that Billie, our eldest elephant resident at age 63, has recently been choosing to sleep in during the early morning hours, often snoozing well past the time Staff arrive to begin their daily routines. Out of respect for her rest, Care Staff quietly adjust schedules to fit her needs, sometimes even pushing ATVs far away before starting them to avoid disturbing her “beauty” sleep. These small but meaningful adjustments are just one example of the thoughtful ways Staff honor the elephants’ choices each day.
In addition to her extra rest, Billie has also been engaging in more social interactions. Recently, she and Ronnie shared a “playdate” in their barn. To the delight of Care Staff, Billie lifted her trunk to rest it gently on Ronnie’s forehead, while Ronnie explored Billie’s mouth with her trunk—a tender and meaningful elephant interaction often seen in greetings, play, and moments of comfort. For Billie, who sometimes prefers solitude, this choice to connect was especially exciting to witness.
From peaceful mornings in the barn to moments of companionship with herd mates, Billie continues to show us the many ways elephants thrive when given the freedom to choose.