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We’ve heard many rumbles and trumpets lately, coming from all of the elephants. There is an air of celebration – at dinnertime, when reuniting with friends, and centering on random happy moments – throughout the sanctuary lately. The girls have been spirited and the energy feels light and positive. 

This clip of video (taken from our security camera, so there’s no sound) shows Guillermina and Maia having a rough-and-tumble bit of fun in the Yard 4 pond. There was lots of playful pushing and leaning into one another. Guille was putting her trunk on Maia’s back and Maia was returning the favor with some sturdy shoves. Guillermina even strolled out of the pond and then walked backwards into Maia’s head. They were both clearly loving those muddy few moments. We’ve always hoped Maia would have a friend that would allow her to express the more energetic side of her personality and Guillermina is fitting the bill – though she definitely gets as much out of these encounters as Maia does. 

After their roughhousing was done, Maia and Guille gathered around Bambi, who was standing at the pond’s edge. Clearly they all had to celebrate again because they were delighting in one another’s presence and making plenty of vocalizations, touching each other, and holding trunks. It was a joyful moment, seeing the group of three gather together, seemingly enjoying simple moments with each other.