Baby Meets Rana and Mara Face to Face

Baby has been spending her time in the yards by the barn, which neighbors both Yard 5 and Yard 4 along the back sides. Bambi, Maia, and Guille have been in Yard 5 and Rana and Mara are in Yard 4, so everyone has access to fence lines where they can interact, if they want. At dinner time, Rana and Mara situated themselves in an area where their yard and the one Baby was in meet, so they could catch a glimpse of the new arrival. Mara ate her dinner as she normally would while Rana watched Baby (who was also eating her meal) from a distance. After everyone finished, Rana began to move closer to Baby, who turned and went toward the opposite side of the yard and found Guille, who was arriving in Yard 5.

At the end of the day, Mara and Rana showed up again in the same area and Baby eventually walked over to them. They all stood together quietly with Mara facing Baby and Rana with her side to Baby, just sharing space. There was no touching, but the energy between them was relaxed and a little curious. After a while, Baby headed toward the barn. We don’t know exactly where the ladies all spent the night, but it’s always possible that there were some evening interactions.

Comments(16)

Sue says
September 14, 2026 at 2:12 pm

So interesting to see the dynamics developing!! Curious, do the five Girls (not counting Baby), ever spend time near each other or in the same area? I know Bambi can still be hesitant with Mara, but wondered if Guille ever spends time with them. Are the fences between yards 4 & 5 usually closed, or can the five interact in the same areas if they wanted to? Sorry so many questions! Will be interesting watching the Herd make adjustments as we go along! Thank you! ❤️🐘❤️
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  Sara says
  September 14, 2026 at 2:43 pm
  
  Sometimes they position themselves in neighboring yards, but it’s not super common. When they do, Guille seems curious but also protective of Bambi. But they have lots of chances to interact across fence lines if they position themselves in the right spot.
Cintia says
September 14, 2026 at 2:15 pm

Wow, they were very close!
They seemed very relaxed indeed!
Ada says
September 14, 2026 at 2:27 pm

Why is the song from the King and I in my head watching this interaction…’Getting to know you, getting to know all about you. Getting to like you, getting to hope you like me…’💗🥰
JoAnn Merriman-Eaton says
September 14, 2026 at 2:38 pm

Shady area….browsing……quietly enjoying your herd……watching and letting the new kid on the block know you are curious and non threatening. How perfect! So wonderful how GSE allows the new kid to just learn and explore possible friends and terrain on her own time. Thank you GSE.
Doe Fowler says
September 14, 2026 at 3:06 pm

This is wonderful! Thank you for the update. 🌸
Barbara L Smith says
September 14, 2026 at 3:19 pm

So interesting to watch, like us they are getting to know each other. An elephant’s meet and greet, over a meal.🥰
Kenneth B. Newman says
September 14, 2026 at 3:53 pm

Its wonderful that the ladies are ALL getting to know one another. Quite interactions seem to bring these elephants together. Wasn’t there a message last week about about a MALE Asian elephant being rescued soon and being brought to GSE?
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  Sara says
  September 14, 2026 at 5:34 pm
  
  Yes! Scott is at the Sorocaba Zoo right now working on crate training with Sandro.
Maureen says
September 14, 2026 at 3:55 pm

It’s wonderful that they have such a safe environment in which to get to know each other. They have all had so much trauma in their lives and there is so much that may have happened to each of them that we can never know just what all their triggers may be. This way they can take their time and walk away if anything is overstimulating or scary for them. Lady was a perfect example of this; she knew her mobility was very limited and she always remained on guard and unsure of her safety in interactions with the others. Giving her the safety of fencing allowed her to grow and explore and become our intrepid adventurer. Guille was so very energetic and didn’t know how to interact with others and had to learn. Baby was with another elephant but if I remember correctly, she was very submissive in that relationship. She now has a chance to become more confident in herself and hopefully remain true to her own nature in future interactions. The slower contact environment gives her that opportunity!
Cat says
September 14, 2026 at 5:21 pm

That’s wonderful!!!
Alida says
September 14, 2026 at 6:38 pm

Baby is doing so well, I think she’s a social butterfly mingling with all the girls, they all seemed so relaxed, wonderful update! 💕
Bonnie Guerra says
September 14, 2026 at 6:53 pm

What a amazing moment tears in my eyes been waiting for this I hope they will be friends all of the girls
Suzanne Eaton says
September 14, 2026 at 8:29 pm

It’s a lovely sight seeing the girls comfortable with each other.
Beci says
September 14, 2026 at 8:31 pm

With baby turning around and having her rear towards them, isn’t that her being submissive like how they show respect for others until they get to know each other? That’s what it looked like to me like she turned around and paused. Stayed like that for a minute like she was saying I respect you or something. I just think it’s wonderful. They’re getting close.
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  Sara says
  September 14, 2026 at 8:37 pm
  
  It could be that, sure.

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