Bambi and Maia Meeting and Touching for the First Time

Bambi and Maia Meeting and Touching for the First Time Part I

Maia (on the left) and Bambi (on the right) are meeting at a gate. These are Bambi’s first physical interactions at Sanctuary. Bambi is very brave, and Maia is very gentle.

Lady and Bambi were the first to see each other. The two saw each other across a Yard this morning, but weren’t too interested in each other and did not approach each other. When Maia came up to the fence later, Bambi came over.

Rana and Mara have spent the day at the pond – it’s scorching here. We are still waiting on the first rain of the rainy season, which will give us clouds and drop the temperature.
Scott’s phone cuts out suddenly with the heat, but not before he films incredibly sweet trunk touches between Bambi & Maia. He picks up with a second Live that you can watch on our page.

If you’re just joining us, Bambi is our newest rescue, who arrived on Saturday.

Bambi and Maia Meeting and Touching for the First Time Part II

Bambi played in the water this morning while Scott sprayed her with the hose in the Elephant Care Center.

Scott sprayed the hose near her, and she was very responsive. First, she lifted her trunk and wanted the water in her mouth. Shortly after, she started getting silly, and that’s when we began filming.

She immediately settled into play behavior. She waved her head, put it over the bars. She got silly with her entire body – squishing her head, almost sitting down, and throwing mud. After a bit of silliness, she settled in further. She became very relaxed and cute – almost like a lazy elephant standing in a rainstorm.

We are beginning to see a cheeky, playful, and silly Bambi. She seems to be letting her barriers down more. An entirely different side of her is starting to come out – she’s quite a spunky spitfire.

She seems to be finding relief and comfort in the water. We notice that when she’s wet, she turns into an itch-scratchy monster – and has to scratch every inch of her body on the bars of the barn. You can also see her slapping herself a little in a few clips – that’s her responding to her itchiness as well. She hasn’t scratched on itchy-scratchy tree yet, but she has smelled it a little bit. She has a lot of skin on her body that needs in-depth exfoliation. Once she discovers how wonderful it feels to scratch on trees, she will probably begin to do it frequently.

She spent most of last night outside, exploring the yards close to the barn. She seemed to wander around Yards 2 and 3 a fair bit during the overnight.
She seems comfortable going outside today but is mostly going out only for short periods before returning to inside the barn, where this video was filmed. Overall, she is doing great and seems to be enjoying Sanctuary life.

Comments(19)

JoAnn Merriman Eaton says
September 29, 2020 at 6:01 pm
Bless Maia for welcoming Bambi and being so gentle. She needs a new BFF, I hope Bambi is it! Thank you Scott for taking the time to video and share their progress.
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  Beverly Singler says
  September 29, 2020 at 7:39 pm
  What she said!!
Debbie Sides says
September 29, 2020 at 6:02 pm
Oh my goodness this is so exciting! Maybe Maia and Bambi will become friends and maybe Lady too!
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  Heather says
  September 29, 2020 at 6:51 pm
  Thank you for sharing! I so look forward to these videos.
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  ELISA says
  September 29, 2020 at 8:48 pm
  Ohhhh!!! I’m sooo happy! Let’s hope they will be best friends! maia is been sooo good!
Kelejan says
September 29, 2020 at 6:14 pm
Bambi is doing incredibly well and it brings a happy tear to my eye. Both of them were so gentle. Before I could figure which elephant was which I watched the behavior and decided Bambi was on the right as she seemed to act a little submissive. That was before I saw her back left foot and her left eye. I think Bambi is going to feel very safe at Sanctuary.
Carol says
September 29, 2020 at 6:15 pm
It’s just incredible to watch Bambi and Maia together. I’m over the moon for Bambi and so heartened to see her making so much headway in such a short time. Here’s to good times only, from now on, for Bambi and the other ESB Girls.
Barb says
September 29, 2020 at 6:17 pm
Fantastic beyond belief that Bambi is blossoming so since her arrival. That girl was ready for a new life and renewal at ESB. As always, we are so grateful for you sharing these incredible moments. Kinda laughed at Maia when the dinner bell sounded :o).
Lori Hoover says
September 29, 2020 at 6:23 pm
I’m not sure who I am most proud of, Bambi or Maia. They were both so impressive, Lady, too. I couldn’t be happier for them. I think I’ve said that before, LOL I just really couldn’t be happier for them.
PS…….I’m having so much rain right now, I wish I could send it your way, the girls would love it.
Lila Nieto says
September 29, 2020 at 6:35 pm
I absolutely love this. I love watching the development of elephants in Sanctuary, it is always surprising. You never know who they will bond with and then it might just be with the one you least expect, and then it all seems so logical. ❤❤
Sallie says
September 29, 2020 at 7:03 pm
What an uplifting & warm-hearted vid! This just proves the goodness in the hearts of female elephants. Such sweetness from Maia and Bambi, a new BFF and a great, lovely happening before Lady and Rana appear. I bet this trunk affection for each other, will eliminate any chances of aggression or jealousy by Lady or Rana. If Maia says OK, then it must be OK! This is an Elephant Sorority, and Brownie Points must be earned and approved of . . . How exciting each day will be from now on! What a wonderful story for a children’s book on friendship! And learning about the kindness of elephants!
Barbara Edis says
September 29, 2020 at 8:09 pm
I had a feeling that Maia would be the first to greet Bambi! The video is so sweet. Thank you so much for sharing it.
arie says
September 30, 2020 at 12:38 am
This is the dream scenario realized: Bambi’s first meeting with one of her co-habitants in a serene gentle friendly and calm atmosphere. Couldn’t have gone better!
Thank you, dearest Maia ?❤️
Rosie P says
September 30, 2020 at 1:56 am
This is beautiful. It’s more than I could have imagined at such an early stage at sanctuary for our new girl. Maia is so gentle and Bambi so brave at her first meeting with another of her kind. She was so nervous at the zoo and afraid of Maison. It is heart wrenching that she has the confidence to approach and touch Maia. Something in Bambi has changed. There is an outpouring of love from all over the world for these ellies, maybe they can feel it or maybe it is down to the loving care they get from everyone at ESB. Thank you for sharing so much with us. Truly, a great start to my day!
Bonnie Kraft says
September 30, 2020 at 2:15 am
My niece told me of Bambi and your Sanctuary a few days ago, and I am totally enjoying Bambi’s arrival and Scott’s oh, so nice comments. I have become another fan of your Sanctuary!!!!
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  EleComposer says
  September 30, 2020 at 9:34 am
  Welcome, Bonnie, we are so glad you have found us with thanks to your niece for that! ❤️
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  Kelejan says
  September 30, 2020 at 9:35 am
  Welcome Bonnie Kraft, so glad you have become another Fan. It is wonderful to be another one of this fabulous group of supporters of this Sanctuary.
Wim says
September 30, 2020 at 7:19 am
How amazing to be a part of Elephants Paradise. When you share a painful past it is supernatural to align in this sentient way. Must be Elephant magic. Wish you beautiful days girls. ????????
Elizabeth MacIntosh says
September 30, 2020 at 8:46 am
So powerful to see colorful Maia meet our cautious, timid newcomer “where she is” with such a calm and relaxed welcome. Think how many years (decades?) since Bambi has had a chance to explore this kind of herd behavior… Hope she’ll find comfort and happiness in her new Sanctuary friendships for many years to come!

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