Rosie has trunk paresis, a neuromuscular weakness of the trunk that makes it very difficult for her to raise it above her head and even to eat or drink normally.

In this environmental enrichment exercise designed to strengthen it, she reaches high for an alfalfa bag hung inside the barn. Dr. Jim reports that after she hit the bag, a new accomplishment for her, she acted like a young elephant calf for the rest of the day. She kicked the ball around without enticement and even stole hay from Opal’s pile. Though there is always plenty to eat, those of you who have been following the girls know that Opal is usually the one to stash the extra hay.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx0vWRTD2_4

Hope Elephants is a unique facility located in Hope, Maine which cares for retired elephants and provides education programming about elephants and conservation. We now have a YouTube video channel (Hope Elephants), so please consider becoming a subscriber.

For information about reserving a day and time for a visit, please see http://hopeelephants.org/visit