Winkie at The Sanctuary
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  • September 14

    Winkie continues to eat and drink well. She shifts from stall to stall with no problem, but she still is too afraid to go outside. All of the girls came into the barn to see her this morning, including Bunny who had appeared to be avoiding her. Bunny and Winkie exchanged truck touches, which became a threesome when Jenny came over. Winkie likes the company of other elephants. Shirley has been trying to establish dominance over Winkie. But each time she opens her mouth and tries to place it on Winkıs head, Winkie resists and attempts to hold her head higher. Tonight at 10pm, Shirley pushed Winkie with her head. Winkie became quite agitated and struck out at Shirley quite aggressively. Jenny stood by but did nothing to interfere. Shirley turned her back on Winkie who dropped her head and stood still. Immediately Shirley approached Winkie, they exchanged trunk touches and after about ten minutes of non-demonstrative activity they walked away from each other. Winkie is getting frustrated about being in the barn. Hopefully she will go out tomorrow.
Barbara was next to meet Winkie. Winkie showed no concern or fear when Barbara approached, both touching each other's face and mouth. They spent quite a bit of time exploring each other, exchanging gentle trunk strokes. Later this night, Sissy met Winkie through a stall divider. Sissy was very excited to see Winkie. She pop-pop-popped her trunk (a sign of excitement and pleasure). Throughout the night Winkie and Sissy stayed in close proximity to each other. Neither lay down to sleep, instead napped standing up. Tomorrow promises to be a very exciting day.

Shirley and Jenny were waiting at the barn door to see Winkie at 7am. Jenny was anxious to meet Winkie and immediately touched her all over. Winkie exchanged the greeting. Again it was obvious that Winkie was not afraid of the other elephants. She was going to be just fine. Shirley followed Jenny inside the barn. Immediately Jenny and Shirley lined up on either side of Winkie and began to escort her out of the barn. It was amazing to see the two gently try to coax her outside. Barbara was next to meet Winkie. Winkie showed no concern or fear when Barbara approached, both touching each other's face and mouth. They spent quite a bit of time exploring each other, exchanging gentle trunk strokes. Later this night, Sissy met Winkie through a stall divider. Sissy was very excited to see Winkie. She pop-pop-popped her trunk (a sign of excitement and pleasure). Throughout the night Winkie and Sissy stayed in close proximity to each other. Neither lay down to sleep, instead napped standing up. Tomorrow promises to be a very exciting day.
Winkie was too afraid yet to experience the big outdoors, she resisted. Only after 2 hours of gently coaxing did Jenny and Shirley take a break from their efforts. Winkie obviously wanted to leave the barn but was fearful. Even the reassurance of Jenny and Shirley was not enough for her yet. Jenny and Shirley left the barn but stayed close by all day repeatedly returning to the barn to once again encourage Winkie to come outside. Winkie would quickly approach Jenny and Shirley when they entered the barn and would even begin to follow them outside, but at the last moment she would retreat back inside the barn.
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