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A Rare Evening With All Five Ladies

One recent night, Mara was in Yard 1, near the itchy-scratchy tree, when the habitat erupted in loud rumbles. We checked the cameras to see Bambi running full speed from Yard 2 into Yard 1 to be “reunited” with her friend. Rana was close behind, walking at a slightly more leisurely pace.

Shortly after, when we arrived for their night feeding, all three were still in Yard 1. Lady had also come near the barn in Yard 3 for her evening check-in with the girls and for snacks. We gave her hay and treats, and brought Mara into the chute for her nightly meal. Lady has become used to the evening routine at this point, and the noises that often come with it, so she remains close.

Around this time, we realized that Maia had shown up in the back of Yard 2. She clearly saw all the other elephants, and was standing ears out, focused on the picture around her, but she decided to stay close. As we’ve mentioned in posts before, the energy at night feed is very different than during the day; it’s just much more relaxed and peaceful.

Maia got within 15-20 yards (around 15 meters) of Bambi and stopped to listen again. Scott went into an empty Yard 1 to put down hay and fruit along the fence for Maia. That way, she wouldn’t feel like she had to come over to get snacks, nor would she feel left out.

After Mara was done eating and back in the yard with the others, Maia was still finishing her bonus evening treat. We checked the cameras about half an hour later, and Maia was gone. We saw Bambi and Mara sharing a pile of hay near the barn, and Rana was methodically “cleaning up.” Lady had wandered off earlier when hay and produce were being spread throughout the habitat for her. Mara, Bambi, and Rana seemed relaxed, ears slowly flapping, continuing eating late into the night. All five ladies are rarely together, so it was a truly special moment for everyone.

Photo of Mara with Bambi in the background

Comments(12)

  1. REPLY
    Charlotte Hansen says

    Thank you for this lovely update!

  2. REPLY
    Nancy Shaw says

    GREAT !!

  3. REPLY
    Cintia Abney says

    Bambi the flash cracks me up ❤️
    The ladies acknowledge each other and opt to do their own thing ❤️

  4. REPLY
    Carol says

    ?????
    ?????

  5. REPLY
    Carey says

    It must have been wonderful to experience, it’s wonderful to read ! How their lives have changed.

  6. REPLY
    SHEILA says

    OH YES! BAMBI,? GALLOPING ALONG! THE BIG PUPPY GIRL! SHE CERTAINLY RUNS FOR MARA? AND ?RANA❗️ I WONDER WHY MAIA HAS BECOME LIKE LADY,,,, NOT COMING NEAR RANA AND THE OTHERS❓ IM WISHING MAIA ?WAS PUT IN WITH ?LADY! IM SURE SHE WOULD LEAVE HER ALONE MOST OF THE TIME AS SHES A “TRAVLLER”
    HOW IS MARA DOING WITH HER TRADING MANEUVERS LATELY❓ThANKS FOR THE SWEET UPDATE??

  7. REPLY
    Barb says

    What a lovely story and told perfectly!

  8. REPLY
    Beji says

    Girls just wanna have fun!

  9. REPLY
    Anita Janusz says

    AND THAT how it should be in a real sanctuary….freedom of movement …as little as possible of human interactions…just special meals and health checks…Love your little stories and reports on all the ladies…:-)) Can’t wait for this herd of retired ladies of leisure to increase ……Thank you for all you do….

  10. REPLY
    Tammy says

    ??????????

  11. REPLY
    Katie Howard says

    Synergy. Beautiful girls, all!! Thanks so much for this vignette. It made my heart sing! ❤️?????❤️?

  12. REPLY
    John says

    This is good to hear. I love your descriptive posts. I’m still waiting for the book……..

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