Sissy was born in 1968 and caught in Thailand as a calf, first appeared in the United States in 1969. Sissy was sold to the Frank Buck Zoo in Gainesville, Texas to replace the zoo’s recently deceased elephant, Gerry. There she survived being submerged underwater during a record flood, with only her trunk above water allowing her to breathe. Sissy moved from the Houston Zone to El Paso Zoo where the harsh treatment she was enduring at the hands of the keepers ended up being videotaped and leaked to the local press. The community spoke for her and asked for Sissy to be retired to the Elephant Sanctuary where she arrived in January 26 of 2000.

In stark contrast to the elephant who was reported to show signs of anxiety and fear around water following her flood experience in Texas, Care Staff frequently observe Sissy splashing and swimming in the ponds, even in the rain. Sissy has the unique communication style of flipping the end of her trunk back and forth to make a “popping” sound. These “pops” are commonly heard when she is socializing or when there is some new enrichment device to interact with. Sissy is also recognizable by her long body, the rippling flap across the top of her ears, and the “freckled” effect on her face and ears. She is most often found exploring the “2nd Pipeline” area of the habitat or napping in the direct sun in “South Yard".