All Five Along the Fence Line

Female Asian elephant Rana stands on a dirt path. Female Asian elephant Mara stands in the background Around dinner time, Mara and Rana moved to the fence line to meet their caregivers and get their evening meal. From the opposite side of the fence, Guillermina walked right up to the area across from them and stood there facing them. After a couple of minutes, she moved even closer and then all three of them had their heads together for a little while, likely communicating in some subtle way.

Guille stayed in this position for quite some time, though Rana and Mara moved back from her a little. Bambi and Maia were in Guille’s area of the yard, and Maia walked over to be near the two nearby friends, but only for a minute. She seemed a bit more keen on standing in the vicinity of her uneasy companion, Bambi, who appeared insecure around Mara and stuck near her caregivers while Guille and Maia interacted with Rana and Mara.

All five elephants had their breakfast down the fence line from each other, although we gave Bambi enough space that she could feel comfortable eating and not be too close to Mara.. Still, she had the option to move closer if it suited her–but at that moment, she wasn’t interested. Her care team hand feeds her produce and grain to make sure she gets every bite of food, so they were looking out to make sure Bambi appeared at ease, even as her friends stood a short distance away from her. Eventually, Mara and Rana were the first to move away from the others, walking off into the habitat together.

P.S.: There’s still time to place your bids on some truly unique items for the Trunks & Treasures auction! The virtual silent auction supports construction of our first on-site medical building and ongoing care for the elephants. Check out the jewelry, home decor, and exciting experiences and find perfect gifts for your loved ones–or yourself! View the items and bid today.

Photo of Rana (front) and Mara (back) near the gate that separates the yards

Comments(10)

Kenneth B. Newman says
June 17, 2026 at 2:17 pm

Its nice to have ALL five of them together, but when will number 6, 7, 8,9, and 10 elephants show up….??? Or is South America NOW empty of elephants in zoos and circuses, or private hands on private property?
Pamela Hall says
June 17, 2026 at 2:24 pm

Friendship! What a perfect Blendship!
Carey says
June 17, 2026 at 5:55 pm

Interesting 😊
Tammy says
June 17, 2026 at 6:13 pm

Boy I still think of Pocha with great fondness still missing her and wondering if Guille does too? Elephants share such a tight family bond that I wonder if time truly does heal all wounds like humans or if that mother daughter connection will always be there no matter what or how long being apart or do we even know? Separation brings on so many of the same things humans go through sadness depression, anxiety etc. Elephants forced to live alone in concrete cells in zoos suffer horribly when all alone which there should be strict laws world wide my first one no private ownership of elephants period, none can be held alone in captivity, my second would be all elephants must be surrendered and sent to accredited sanctuaries no more private ownership no more zoos no more circuses or road side zoos! I know this is all in a perfect world but hopefully it will become a reality some day sooner than later a girl can dream big can’t she? 🐘🙏🐘🕊🐘💞
- REPLY
  Sara says
  June 18, 2026 at 9:31 am
  
  While there’s no way to know Guille’s feelings for certain, we feel sure that she thinks about her mother often. After decades together, just the two of them, their connection was strong.
Patti Daley says
June 19, 2026 at 1:13 pm

The elephants are majestic & the caregivers are so dedicated!!
Bless them All!!
Alice Yeates says
June 20, 2026 at 9:11 pm

Love this
David says
June 20, 2026 at 10:45 pm

Elephants are one of the greatest creatures we have on Planet Earth, we must care about them!
N says
June 21, 2026 at 4:35 pm

I like elephants very much.
Finn says
July 10, 2026 at 5:58 am

💖💖💖💖💖

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