Baby and Guille: Sharing a Yard

It’s been several days now since Baby and the other elephants met each other across a fence line. So far, Guille and Baby have spent the most time interacting and seem to be learning more about each other’s communication styles. Baby’s energy is often exuberant, so it makes sense that she (34 years old) and Guille (27 years old), another young and enthusiastic elephant, might be most curious about each other. Both also appear to understand that they can simply walk away if they want to and have the space to do so.

Because of this growing mutual understanding, the two girls seemed ready to take the next step and actually share space in the same yard. After breakfast, Guille was near the gate leading into the yard where Baby had positioned herself. They touched each other across the fence for a few minutes and, since the energy between them was light and easygoing, the time seemed right to allow them in together.

Almost immediately, they walked right up to each other but didn’t resume touching. Baby curiously circled Guille, who took a few steps back. Baby’s energy rose quite a bit and she headed in the opposite direction fairly quickly. She then went into an adjoining yard and they took a break, coming back together after a little breather. After that short time apart, they were remarkably relaxed, but still took a few minutes to get spunky and trunk wrestle. They took breaks when they needed them but, when they wanted to be together, they’d occasionally stand calmly side-by-side.

Guille, who in the past has had experiences with multiple elephants and how they established their own boundaries with her, is using those lessons with Baby now. Baby, to her credit, seems to be picking up on what Guille is trying to communicate. By dinner time, it seemed as though they were ready for a rest from the excitement of the day and fully settle from all the physical and mental energy they expended over the past hours. Guille was ready to return to her friends and, upon her return, chose to reconnect with Bambi first.

Comments(19)

Cat says
September 17, 2026 at 2:04 pm

That is so wonderful, baby has a friend now…..🩷
Beth Robbins says
September 17, 2026 at 2:22 pm

AMAZING news! Thank You!
Ada says
September 17, 2026 at 2:30 pm

Oh. My. Goodness!! Aww. So nice to see these two becoming friends. You’re not alone anymore Baby girl…unless of course, you want to. Plenty of space to walk away if alone time is needed/wanted🙂‍↕️💗🥰
Christine Dodin says
September 17, 2026 at 2:37 pm

magnifique
Barbara L Smith says
September 17, 2026 at 2:42 pm

So sweet, the start of a friendship. Since Guille and Baby are young elephants, their high energy enthusiasm, should not be a damper in their interactions. Hoping for the best.🥰
June H. says
September 17, 2026 at 2:50 pm

Thank you so much for this update! Such great news that Baby has a new friend! ❤️🐘🐘❤️
Patricia Richardson says
September 17, 2026 at 3:03 pm

So wonderful for both of them!!! I feel joy!
Joey Lamphier says
September 17, 2026 at 3:07 pm

It is so wonderful to see Baby and Guille together. Baby isn’t alone anymore. I’m so happy for her. Their yard share went so smoothly from the start and that is wonderful to hear. I predict they will be best friends and by doing so, Baby will be integrated into the herd in no time at all and they will all be sharing space and lives from now on. It is so great to see and read about this time they spent together.
Doe Chappo-Fowler says
September 17, 2026 at 3:19 pm

Beautiful, special moment! 🦣🦣🦋 TY!!
Maureen says
September 17, 2026 at 4:01 pm

Guille most likely went back to Bambi and promptly said, “I get it now my friend, I was a lot for you guys. Thank you for teaching me because now I know how to become friends with this new girl!!” This is very exciting to see them becoming friends but each on their own terms and each able to keep their own personalities. It’s also awesome that not only do they both know they can walk away, but they have both demonstrated it and it has caused no “hard feelings” or misunderstandings between the two of them. They will be so awesome once they are true friends. With their youthful energy & exuberance, be prepared for many more late-night elephant parties, LOL!!
JoAnn Merriman-Eaton says
September 17, 2026 at 4:59 pm

Oh WOW! This makes my heart sing. 🐘🐘❤️
Richie Chiger says
September 17, 2026 at 6:26 pm

Sounds like a very good beginning for a group that will live together and share a space.
Elizabeth says
September 17, 2026 at 8:08 pm

I’m not crying… you’re crying!
Maureen says
September 17, 2026 at 9:12 pm

Is Baby out of quarantine?
- REPLY
  Sara says
  September 17, 2026 at 9:32 pm
  
  Quarantine means no contact, so now that she’s in the female habitat that means she’s finished.
Bonnie says
September 17, 2026 at 11:01 pm

So Sara Baby is ok to be around the girls and those two are buddies that was so cute the way those trunks were wrapped around each other
Johnny says
September 18, 2026 at 7:54 am

It’s easy to forget how powerful they are. Their legs and trunks so thick with muscle!
Carey says
September 18, 2026 at 11:38 am

Just wonderful. Thank you so much to the teams on the ground there for all your work. Perfect timing!
Jane says
September 18, 2026 at 11:47 am

Amazing to see how well Baby has been doing

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