This post fulfills two things:
1) My long-held desire to present the tale of Buttons/Ellie the Elk as a children’s story
2) Answering your inquires from this post about what happened to our elk friend (scroll to the bottom of the story for that update)
Buttons The Magical Elk
Once upon a time, there was an elk who stood apart from her species.
She grew up an orphan, adopting humans as her herd. They named her Buttons.
She was a very curious elk and not easily frightened.
When she was about two years old, she wandered away from the farm where she grew up.
She discovered very interesting animals living at a property nearby.
Who would have guessed there was a chimpanzee sanctuary in the neighborhood?!
The chimpanzees at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest were curious about this new visitor and sometimes walked together around their outdoor habitat on opposite sides of the fence.
The humans at the sanctuary loved her. They called her Ellie, not knowing she had been named Buttons.
What a treat to have such an unusual companion!
She did cause quite a bit of mischief, however…
She wandered further and further away from her childhood home, finding more human friends in a nearby village, having many adventures, and causing more mischief.
She was an elk, after all. A large, powerful, wild animal.
Not a dog.
Nor a cat.
Nor a cow.
Her human friends worried about her future.
Shouldn’t she be with others of her kind?
One day, a small herd of wild elk passed through the sanctuary property. Her sanctuary human friends hoped Ellie would join them and discover the life of an elk. But, alas, Ellie ignored the other elk and stayed put.
Word of the magical elk traveled throughout the land, gaining the attention of officials who became concerned.
She was far too comfortable around humans, even those she did not know.
Something could go wrong. She could easily hurt someone. Someone could hurt her.
An officer in charge of wildlife decided it was finally time to find a new home for Buttons. But where?
Officer Scott knew there were elk nearby who stayed in one spot for the winter, so his team put Buttons on a trailer and moved her to this herd.
Some of her human friends in the village were very worried and even mad.
Why would they take Buttons away from her home and the people who loved her?
Her human friends at the sanctuary hoped for the best – the chance for Ellie to be an elk.
She didn’t know how to be an elk in such a big group, though. She stayed away from them and searched for a way out.
Officer Scott looked high and low for other options for Buttons. A place for her to be herself and be safe.
The sanctuary humans offered to keep her at the sanctuary, but knew that would mean she would be an elk of one and not able to wander far.
Officer Scott heard from the zoo over the tall mountains – they had a small group of elk and could take Buttons!
Buttons/Ellie had another chance to be an elk! There was even a male in the group, Goodwyn. How would Buttons react to a male of her species in a small group?
A year and a half later, the sanctuary humans asked the zoo humans how Buttons/Ellie was doing, and this is what they said:
The Roosevelt elk (cows Willow and Lily) hang out together and the Rocky Mountain elk (bull Goodwyn and Buttons) are seen mostly together. Buttons, now being the oldest of the cows, is the dominant female and enjoys pushing those young cows around. During this rut season, Goodwyn seems to direct his attention to Buttons (he’s had a vasectomy, so there will be no baby elk).
Buttons continues to be a blessing to keeper staff in her willingness to shift and engage with us. She loves her afternoon carrots and leaf eater biscuit “cookies.”
Even though Buttons was raised with people and interacted mostly with people, she certainly knows elk language and behavior, and is confident in our little herd.
Buttons had found her home. A place where she could be her mischievous self but also live with others like her.
The zoo humans even shared some beautiful photos of her at her Woodland Park Zoo home:
Not long ago, as the sun was rapidly sinking, the sanctuary humans heard strange animal calls near the property. Sounds they had never heard before.
It was the loud cries of bull elk calling back and forth across the valley! The sanctuary humans rushed quietly up the hill, squinting to try to see in the dark.
When they got to the spot where Ellie used to walk on the other side of the fence with the chimpanzees, they heard heavy breathing and pounding hoofs and saw the shadowy figures of dozens of elk running through the woods.
They wondered if these elk were Ellie’s original family.
They wondered what her life would have been like if she had been able to stay in the wild.
But they know, like the chimpanzees they care for, that sometimes wild animals can’t go back to the wild.
Sometimes the happy ending isn’t perfect, but it’s still happy.
Kathy says
Thank you for this update. I have been thinking about her but afraid to ask (afraid a hunter hot her).
Lois says
Diana,
You’ve got the perfect children’s book right there! Excellent story for young & old kids, with a good ending.. I’d say go for it and publish it along with the photos!
Teri says
Absolutely great idea about book.
Jeani Goodrich says
Diana, you have such a wonderful way with words. Are you going to put this in to a book? I hope so. I for one would be on the “ I want one!” list. The photos are wonderful and thank you so much for the update. It is so nice to hear Ellie has found her “ Love, Home, and Sanctuary.”
Elaine Reininger says
Oh Diana, this was such an uplifting update on the story of Ellie. I’ve thought of her alot these past months and felt it was so sad that she was removed from the sanctuary grounds and all the people who love her, but it did have a bitter-sweet ending, in that she is SAFE AND CARED FOR. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
Tina Shaw says
This was such a wonderful story. I love the Chimps so very much but Buttons is very cute and lovable also. I’m so glad she is happy.
Elaine Reininger says
Diana: thank you so much for the update on Ellie. Have thought about her so much these past months and felt sad that she was removed from the place she called home and the people she had grown fond of. But I can understand that she may have come to a bad end being too friendly with humans so what you did was best for her in the long run. Your story had a sad but sweet ending because I know you all miss her but she seems happy and safe and cared for.
Sherry says
What a beautiful story! Thank you for the update and the pictures. She seems happy, and that’s all that matters to me.
Karen says
Diana, As you know, I was one who was very sad that Ellie had to leave Cle Elum so it is heartwarming to see her photos and hear about her life among other elks. I am now much relieved and am proud that Ellie is adjusting to her new life. Can’t wait to read your story! Thanks for the great post!
Linda Gere says
Absolutely a wonderful story. I Love it. I have tears running down my face not from sadness but pure joy that she is doing so well. Thank you for sharing this Awesome story. Linda Gere
Julie L says
Best elk story ever. Thank you, Diana!!
Julie Medrano says
Speaking as a retired English teacher of all ages groups, I think
your story is excellent, great presentation, good vocabulary,
and an appropriate and tender message. Go for it and try
to get it published. Good luck!!
Linda C says
So glad you addressed the vocab, Julie. If Diana were to market this, which age group would you suggest it be marketed for? 7-9 years old?
Julie Medrano says
Linda, Yes, 7–9 would be good, but I honestly think the story could be adapted to just about any age group. It would be a good opening for a discussion on life, and how we can adapt to
whatever happens to us and be happy!
CeeCee says
Diana, I think you have found your calling, Or, at least another calling.
Your story is so beautifully told, it made me cry. It would be a great children’s book. Giving adults the chance to talk with kids about the responsibility we humans have to help wildlife. And about how hard that can sometimes be.
I had the privilege of meeting “Ellie” when I visited CSNW, and she was just the sweetest. she was so happy to show us around the place.
It really seems that everything worked out for her, she looks so happy in those pictures, for me the proof is in her sweet eyes.
Thank you for the update.
Julie says
Oh, my!! Happy tears. Lots of happy tears. She looks good. Thank you so much for sharing this!!!
Chris says
I loved this story Diana..I have tears of happy joy..A good and happy day was just made happier by reading this. Thank-you so much for putting the icing on the cake! 🙂
Pamela says
What a wonderful story and pictures! Thank you so much.
Lisa McCurdy-Grattan says
This is a wonderful “story.” EllieButtons is one of a kind, that’s for sure. ????????
Laurie E says
Thank you for the beautiful story. Made me cry just a bit. You all do remarkable work and I’m grateful for what you do. Thank you
Judy says
Diana what a beautiful, well written story with a message that will resonate with kids. It is so important for kids to grow up with this type of understanding and a great introduction to what SANCTUARY is and how it works. I too will be on the “I want one, (or two, or three)” list for myself and my young grandkids. Please publish this book.. with the wonderful pics.. (I love the eclipse pic of all of you with Ellie/Buttons) Hugs to all and to all a good night. <3
Michelle says
Thanks for the update it’s great to see Buttons having her best life. Xx
Julie says
Thank you Diana! What a relief to know she is doing well at the zoo!
Nancy D. says
Beautiful story and since I only live about 2 miles from Woodland Park Zoo I will go and see if I can catch a glimpse of Ellie.
Linda C says
I agree with Julie M, Diana, it would make a great book, with all the photos (if they’ll share the ones from the zoo).
I only learned the full story of Ellie Buttons from your blog in the last year or so. I remember that JB’s post included info on how she had learned to open doors, and I loved the funny/creepy photo of her peeking in at you through the windows! I think you should include that one, too!
This would be great in the merch shop!
Finally, thanks so much for another update on Ellie Buttons. I’m overjoyed that she’s found Goodwyn and finally “fits in”! Kind of like our friend Bubba, no?
Kathleen says
Oh Diana, that was delightful. What a great children’s book. Go for it and get it published. Perhaps half of the proceeds could go to the zoo to directly care for Ellie and her new family and half could go to CSNW. I too think of Ellie often and I am happy to see these new photos of her and it’s a comfort to know she finally found place where she fits in with others like her. (I wonderful if she misses her old human and chimpanzee friends….I bet she does.)
Beth M says
I saw Buttons just last weekend and may see her tomorrow. She is doing very well and is settled in beautifully. When I saw her last weekend, the entire group was napping together.
Linda C says
Thanks for letting us know!
Arlene abs Michael says
Diana thank you so much for letting us know how Ellie is (and sharing the beautiful pictures). I have wondered about her and wanted to ask but I didn’t realize you had updated information on her. It is comforting to know she is doing well in her new home. I love your story:)
Diane K says
Yes — a WONDERFUL children’s book. Ready for the holidays? Or whenever.
However — the Woodland Park folks didn’t gear their comments for children. Well, I (definitely not a child!) found it confusing, had to read it over more than once, and imagined having to explain it to my 7-1/2 year old grandchild. It needs Diana’s edit — her wording is perfect for kids!
Linda C says
Lol, it was the vasectomy, wasn’t it?
Diana says
That was ENTIRELY my fault. When I contacted the nice folks at Woodland Park Zoo, I was not thinking I would write the update as a children’s story – that just happened as I began writing. But I didn’t want to take their update out of context, so I left it in as is. I added the part about the vasectomy, because I know a lot of people wonder about that, but that’s not a super kid-friendly word ;).
Pat Malcolm says
Diana, I agree with other voices urging you to publish! What a wonderful story, and well told. One ask, however: when publishing, please label the Woodland photos. Cheers for all the wonderful animal friends making the best of it in sanctuary!
Jackie says
Thank you for the update on Ellie. I wondered about her and hoped that she was ok in her new home. Love the wonderful photos!
Pat Froelich says
This is a lovely story and thoroughly added a few minutes of warmth to my Sunday. Thank you for your story and pictures!?
valerie says
great story! and yes it should be a kids book, but adults enjoy the “story with pictures” as well! super funny ones with the cat, cows etc 🙂