An Easygoing Afternoon With Lady and Rana

Rana and Bambi were both at the barn one recent morning, while Mara was near the pond in Yard 4, seemingly quite relaxed. It’s out of the ordinary for Bambi and Mara to spend time apart, so Scott asked Rana and Bambi to follow his four-wheeler out to Mara. Bambi accompanied him at full speed and ate her breakfast out in Yard 4; she joined Mara soon after finishing. Rana instead chose to stay at the barn, rather than go with Scott and Bambi. We took advantage of the time to do a little footwork on Rana. After her footwork, she seemed content to continue spending time near the barn. We decided to open up between Yards 1, 2, and 3 to allow Lady and Rana to share space.

Lady has seemed more at ease recently spending her days alone, but near the barn. We still like to encourage Lady to push her comfort zones and, as Scott says, at least ponder the opportunity to be near Rana.

This particular day, Lady was very intrigued by Rana’s presence; she was curious and watchful. She never approached Rana but spent most of the day keeping an eye on her. On several occasions throughout the day, Lady would be grazing, when Rana would go to an area that Lady wouldn’t expect her to go. In response, Lady would freeze with her ears out, watching where Rana was heading.

When Rana would notice Lady responding in this way, she would turn around and walk away or stop and begin grazing. This body language communicated to Lady that Rana would not approach her or infringe on her clear boundaries.

The day ended up being slow and easy for both ladies. While they didn’t interact, the two seemed to enjoy the change of pace, just watching and spending time near each other.

Rana eventually ended up heading out into Yard 4 just before dinner, rejoining her friends Bambi and Mara.

Photo of Lady

Comments(9)

Katie Howard says
April 25, 2021 at 4:01 pm
Ah, Lady! What is in your past that makes you so wary? It breaks my heart to contemplate the likely scenarios…On the other hand, it’s great that you have chill days like this where you can hang out without pressure at least in the vicinity of another elephant. It’s all on “elephant time” and I’m so thankful you are now at GSE!!! ❤️?❤️
Tammy says
April 25, 2021 at 4:06 pm
Boy oh boy just look at that face I sure wish I could give those girls the biggest hug and smooch ever ? ? ?
Wim says
April 25, 2021 at 5:05 pm
Lady will always need space to feel relaxed. Wonderful they’ve grown so much and give eachother room to move and life peacefully.
??❤️
Carol says
April 25, 2021 at 5:05 pm
Such complex psyches. We are all products of our life experiences. These ladies are no different. We pray that they are able to move forward in good mental and emotional spaces in order to live the rest of their lives with inner peace and fulfilling companionships. GSE is the place to encourage and enable just that! Love to the whole gang!!!
John says
April 25, 2021 at 5:48 pm
Lady, you just might be my favorite. But no telling the other girls that.
Suzanne Eaton says
April 25, 2021 at 6:30 pm
Sweet Lady Bug, I wish we knew what trauma you suffered in your past life to make you so fearful of other ellies.
It’s God’s gift that you are at GSE and able to live your new life at peace on your terms. Love you to pieces.
Beji says
April 25, 2021 at 7:22 pm
One day at a time, Lady. One day at a time.
Anita Janusz-Wong says
April 25, 2021 at 9:14 pm
This seems like a very strange behaviour to avoid other elephants like that. But we are all different so it may be that some elephants are happier as loners. Maybe for Lady, just a knowledge that there are other elephants in those spaces is enough not to feel completely alone without actually being with them?..? Time will only tell and show if that changes and if there ever will be sniffings , touchings and rumbling concerts together…..
Nancy Shaw says
April 26, 2021 at 8:58 am
Everyone’s comments made me smile.

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