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Bambi Enjoys a Bath!

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 The 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.

September 28, 2020

Comments(37)

  1. REPLY
    Lila Nieto says

    Beautiful Bambi Buns!!! She is definitely settling in wonderfully ❤❤❤❤❤

    • REPLY
      Alejandra(Sandy)Enquin says

      Bambi estas graciosa agachandote y jugando con el chorro de agua.Sos muy simpatica y demostrativa.Que se preparen los arbolitos rascadores para exfoliarte,de a poco descubriras ,vomo las chicas,las delicias del Santuario.Te abrazo corazon de melon,dulce.

  2. REPLY
    Debbie Sides says

    So glad she enjoyed her bath. She’s as cute as she can be!

    • REPLY
      Wim says

      Isn’t she lovely and wonderful. Must feel in a different world right now. How blissful life can turn around. After all her dark clouds the sun is traveling with every move BAMBI makes. Miracles still happen and outstanding to be a guest at her revival. ???

  3. REPLY
    Andy says

    So wonderful to see her comfortable and confident enough to have fun with the water.

    • REPLY
      Cristina says

      Es maravilloso verla disfrutar. Me alegra tantisimo que este ahi en el santuario. No vocaliza? Las vieron las demas chicas? Felicitaciones!!!!!

      • Kat Blais says

        Bambi does vocalize, she often rumbles and trumpets throughout the day. So far, she has seen Lady and met Maia along the fence, and touched and smelled her.

    • REPLY
      Charlotte Hansen says

      So much fun to watch!! Looks like Scott is her very best friend!

  4. REPLY
    Rachel says

    Goodness, my heart just swelled three times over. So happy for this sweet gal….

  5. REPLY
    Bridget Long says

    That was so fun to watch! It looked so refreshing. It’ll be exciting to see those hunks of dry skin start to come off. I feel such joy for her. Thanks for all you do!

  6. REPLY
    Cassie Raymond says

    That was joyous to watch! Thank you for bringing Bambi home!

  7. REPLY
    Julia Mercedes Eden says

    Totally love ? how this ‘spunky spitfire’ loves her bath, and multitasked by eating and drinking alongside too. She really looks different already and seemed to be grinning cheekily. Noticed how Scott focused on the dry skin patches on her head – she LOVES WATER ???❤️

  8. REPLY
    Deb Moore says

    WOW, layers and layers of dead skin to get off! VERY clear in the shower. That forehead and sides will be looking so much better.

  9. REPLY
    Tammy says

    Watching Bambi play with the water and act so silly warmed my heart I couldn’t stop giggling she sure brightened up my day! ?? ?

  10. REPLY
    Patricia says

    Overwhelmed with love and gratitude. Bambi is so adorable and so smart! I am always in awe of them, in awe of this girl. Smoochies, Bambi

  11. REPLY
    Lane says

    That is unbelievable. And they told you she didn’t like water… It’s a new day, Bambi.

  12. REPLY
    arie says

    What I see is one sweet very very happy relaxed joyful elephant.
    It is incredible to think this is the same Bambi as that locked in scared sad elephant we met a week ago.

    What a metamorphosis!

    She is adorable ?❤️

  13. REPLY
    Jen Smith says

    Proof of Scott’s comments about elephants changing overnight once they arrive at Sanctuary. The zoo said she didn’t like to be sprayed, and didn’t like water, in general! Watching this (multiple times) was the highlight of my day. Thank you for all you do for these sweet beings.

  14. REPLY
    Rebecca E Kehr says

    This made my heart happy!! This sweet girl is already showing her sparkling personality. Welcome to your happy forever home, Bambi! We love you!!!

  15. REPLY
    Lori Hoover says

    She sounds like she’s doing wonderful, I couldn’t be happier for her.

  16. REPLY
    Jennifer says

    I don’t cry at weddings but I cry when a special elephant is getting soaked with a hose!! 🙂 I am so happy for her. Thank you all so much for all that you do!

  17. REPLY
    Tracy H says

    That was the cutest bath I’ve ever seen. Bambi is definitely a rock ?!!!!! She looked like she loved it so much. That smile she has on her face says it all. Love love love her. What a cutie
    You all are hero’s!!!!!❤️?❤️?❤️?❤️?

  18. REPLY
    Terry says

    BAMBI IS BEYOND HAPPY!!!! If dirt were her wishes, she had found ALL that she has wished for, and then some!!!! Im so happy for her, so grateful for everyone who spends countless hours caring and loving these magnificent beings!!! Thank YOU!!!!!

  19. REPLY
    Paula says

    Esto es un bautismo de bienvenida al Santuario!????
    Que feliz se ve Bambi?
    Parece otro ele, la actitud y hasta su cuerpo se ven diferentes!!!!
    MUCHAS GRACIAS ESB!!!!❤

  20. REPLY
    Laura B says

    Does her behavior around water square with what you were told by her previous carers? I thought I heard mentioned that she didn’t like water much. Her water frolics are great for us to see and even better for her to experience! I’m sure she will adore her vastly improved surroundings, all of her new caring humans, and the other elephants quickly. I can’t wait for her full integration! Thank you for all you do – it was a joy and privilege to “ride along” on her rescue!

    • REPLY
      Kat Blais says

      not really, but that’s not uncommon. a lot of behavior is due to feeling like there isn’t much choice involved or space to get away. when an elephant is somewhat stuck in their stall, receiving a bath, it can feel invasive. once they have the ability to walk away, it feels like their decision to be made, and many are much more open to it.

  21. REPLY
    Vicky says

    Will never cease to amaze me how they change in just days. This girl didn’t like water? No, she loves water-she just needed to be in the right place to enjoy it. Yay Bambi–so very proud of you!!

  22. REPLY
    Lynne Russert says

    I so enjoyed watching this clip. She looks sooo happy!! I’m overjoyed at her blossoming so quickly! She’s a rock star!!!???????

  23. REPLY
    Kelejan says

    Thatiss one happy elephant. She is going to be even more beautiful when that dry skin vanishes.

  24. REPLY
    Carol says

    Tears of joy for Bambi – it is wonderful, so wonderful, to bear witness to this. Thank you for allowing us to watch her discovering what Sanctuary has to offer.

  25. REPLY
    Heidi says

    Welcome to sanctuary Bambi. You are TOO adorable!

  26. REPLY
    susan says

    For a girl who doesn’t like water, she’s bearing up wonderfully under that shower! 🙂

  27. REPLY
    Elizabeth MacIntosh says

    My teenage son walked by my computer screen showing Bambi’s bath and said, “Why does that elephant look extraordinarily happy?” Well…. it’s a long story!!! Dear, sweet Bambi – you are safe and loved now at Sanctuary. May all your future moments be filled with happiness and healing!!!

  28. REPLY
    Carol Anderson says

    I cant believe this is the same girl that hid in a corner for three days at the zoo. She seems so comfortable and BRAVE at sanctuary. You all should be so proud of what you have done for Bambi in such a short time. Just imagine what the future holds for her thanks to you. You deserve some sort of prize for what you have done for all the girls in your care. Bless you all.

  29. REPLY
    Sallie Robbins-Druian says

    What a beautiful vid! Bambi looks so happy and is having such a fun time with Scott the Spray King! This vid made me relaxed and the stress of the day, flew away . . . Thank you Miss Bambi! You have wit and are so playful! You will LOVE your new life!

  30. REPLY
    Rosie P says

    And this was an elephant who didn’t like water!!!!!!!! I have watched this over and over and haven’t had time to get breakfast yet!!! I am overjoyed at Bambi’s happiness. She certainly loved her shower and this video shows the reward for all you have done for this sweet angel…thank you so very much for sharing this with us, for allowing us to be part of Bambi’s journey and part of ESB …………. for giving so much back to all your supporters. All the preparation and hard work has proved what sanctuary can do….and in hours and days!
    Thank you for giving this precious elephant this moment of so much joy. It’s made my day!
    Love you all so much.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
    Bambi enjoy your life, you are finding yourself.

  31. REPLY
    Carey says

    Gorgeous vid to watch, she is full of life and twinkle it appears, that old skin build up is horrid, I look forward to it becoming fresh and glowing. Thank you All x!

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