February marked the 20th anniversary of Debbie, Ronnie, and Billie’s arrival at The Sanctuary. What we now fondly consider their “birthdays” were celebrated in Roaring 20s fashion as Debbie turned 55, Ronnie 60, and Billie 64.
Care Staff transformed enrichment into a 1920s-inspired scene, complete with a table crafted from cardboard, a tablecloth made of reused Mazuri bags, and place settings of sliced pumpkin garnished with fresh mint. “Silverware” fashioned from sticks, paper “champagne glasses” filled with marshmallow fluff, and even a candle centerpiece completed the display. Behind the table, bamboo fanned from pumpkins to mimic the grandiose flair of the era.
Debbie wasted no time overturning the table and devouring many of the treats. Ronnie focused all efforts on the pumpkins, eventually pulling bamboo forward, stepping on it to crush the pumpkin beneath, and munching on the reward. The celebration was equal parts creative and delightfully elephant-approved.
Ronnie’s 60th birthday was also appropriately celebrated in the 60 area of the habitat with enrichment staged in tire barrels. The number 60 was crafted from edible privet and attached to bamboo poles, surrounded by produce including sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, and celery. Billie’s 64th birthday featured a stacked enrichment “cake” made of two cubes layered with marshmallow fluff “icing" and topped with strawberries and sliced green apples.