YES !

 

Elia is now with the babies and is  interacting  with the members of the infant group!  

Jean-Claude our vet slightly sedated Elia and we both managed to transfer her from her quarantine area to the new infant enclosure.

When she woke up, Elia was very scared of the new place because she could smell and see she was on someone else’s territory.

I stayed with her a long time – it took about two hours for her to leave my arms.

What you must know is that Elia and I have become very close friends. Since I noticed her « rocking » behaviour, I contacted J. Patrick Malone M.Ed. for advice and help.  Patrick immediately answered back and gave me plenty of interesting tips and games  to work with Elia as she absolutely needed her brain to be stimulated.[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/b46VjvAdBDQ" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Elia made a lot of progress and started even to interact with the members of her own quarantine group. But this wasn’t enough. The others didn’t accept her « rocking » movements, hardly ever paid attention to her, sometimes beat her up and we couldn’t let her stay like this. So, we introduced her to smaller ones ( Maïka, Santa, Kimo, Dian…. ) who actually are younger and less agressive than bigger/stronger ones… Elia was very interested in Maïka…. and once we felt Elia was ready for transfer, we moved her…

Elia spent the first day inside the infant enclosure to get used to her new environment. She was alone all day and the little ones were very surprised to find her once coming in before bed time. All went well – everyone knew Elia and all were relaxed.

The next morning, when  Maman Maguy opened the gate to put the little ones outside, I was with Elia. She was in my arms and we both watched the others  leaving the night enclosure  with a lot of enthusiasm.

When we both came out, Elia held me strongly and looked at me as if she were saying « is this for me? the trees? the grass? can I go? » . We sat together for some time and while still being clung to me  she touched the dirt and took some in her hands. Elia hadn’t touched dirt for more than a year…

With tears in my eyes I told Elia in the ear « Go now! Have fun! This is for you! » and she ran, ran, ran.

Over excited, Elia climbed up trees, lost her balance as she hadn’t enjoyed this for soooooooo long…

 I was crying. Yes, I did because I could feel from the deepest of my heart that we had done something very good and positive!

To give Elia the best has been a real challenge to me. I had sleepless nights and I worked  hours and hours with her. And now, she’s in the trees with the others! I couldn’t believe my eyes!!! Welldone Elia and thank you, Patrick, for your time, devotion and willingness to help this little girl who had a tough start in her life.

Elia I am so proud of YOU!

Elia, I love you so much!!!

 

Roxane/J.A.C.K.