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

To learn about Bambi’s history, click here.
For photos and videos of Bambi’s rescue, click here.

Comments(37)

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Lila Nieto says
September 28, 2020 at 3:59 pm
Beautiful Bambi Buns!!! She is definitely settling in wonderfully ❤❤❤❤❤
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  Alejandra(Sandy)Enquin says
  September 28, 2020 at 5:03 pm
  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.
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Debbie Sides says
September 28, 2020 at 4:01 pm
So glad she enjoyed her bath. She’s as cute as she can be!
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  Wim says
  September 28, 2020 at 5:46 pm
  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. ???
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Andy says
September 28, 2020 at 4:08 pm
So wonderful to see her comfortable and confident enough to have fun with the water.
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  Cristina says
  September 28, 2020 at 7:10 pm
  Es maravilloso verla disfrutar. Me alegra tantisimo que este ahi en el santuario. No vocaliza? Las vieron las demas chicas? Felicitaciones!!!!!
  - Kat Blais says
    October 1, 2020 at 5:04 pm
    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.
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  Charlotte Hansen says
  September 29, 2020 at 12:36 am
  So much fun to watch!! Looks like Scott is her very best friend!
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Rachel says
September 28, 2020 at 4:12 pm
Goodness, my heart just swelled three times over. So happy for this sweet gal….
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Bridget Long says
September 28, 2020 at 4:15 pm
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!
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Cassie Raymond says
September 28, 2020 at 4:21 pm
That was joyous to watch! Thank you for bringing Bambi home!
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Julia Mercedes Eden says
September 28, 2020 at 4:33 pm
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 ???❤️
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Deb Moore says
September 28, 2020 at 4:37 pm
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.
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Tammy says
September 28, 2020 at 4:37 pm
Watching Bambi play with the water and act so silly warmed my heart I couldn’t stop giggling she sure brightened up my day! ?? ?
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Patricia says
September 28, 2020 at 4:40 pm
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
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Lane says
September 28, 2020 at 4:40 pm
That is unbelievable. And they told you she didn’t like water… It’s a new day, Bambi.
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arie says
September 28, 2020 at 4:45 pm
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 ?❤️
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Jen Smith says
September 28, 2020 at 5:04 pm
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.
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Rebecca E Kehr says
September 28, 2020 at 5:17 pm
This made my heart happy!! This sweet girl is already showing her sparkling personality. Welcome to your happy forever home, Bambi! We love you!!!
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Lori Hoover says
September 28, 2020 at 5:21 pm
She sounds like she’s doing wonderful, I couldn’t be happier for her.
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Jennifer says
September 28, 2020 at 5:28 pm
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!
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Tracy H says
September 28, 2020 at 5:38 pm
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!!!!!❤️?❤️?❤️?❤️?
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Terry says
September 28, 2020 at 5:42 pm
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!!!!!
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Paula says
September 28, 2020 at 6:16 pm
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!!!!❤
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Laura B says
September 28, 2020 at 6:33 pm
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!
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  Kat Blais says
  October 1, 2020 at 5:03 pm
  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.
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Vicky says
September 28, 2020 at 7:11 pm
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!!
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Lynne Russert says
September 28, 2020 at 7:16 pm
I so enjoyed watching this clip. She looks sooo happy!! I’m overjoyed at her blossoming so quickly! She’s a rock star!!!???????
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Kelejan says
September 28, 2020 at 7:20 pm
Thatiss one happy elephant. She is going to be even more beautiful when that dry skin vanishes.
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Carol says
September 28, 2020 at 7:31 pm
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.
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Heidi says
September 28, 2020 at 7:33 pm
Welcome to sanctuary Bambi. You are TOO adorable!
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susan says
September 28, 2020 at 8:20 pm
For a girl who doesn’t like water, she’s bearing up wonderfully under that shower! 🙂
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Elizabeth MacIntosh says
September 28, 2020 at 9:35 pm
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!!!
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Carol Anderson says
September 28, 2020 at 10:37 pm
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.
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Sallie Robbins-Druian says
September 28, 2020 at 11:40 pm
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!
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Rosie P says
September 29, 2020 at 2:36 am
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.
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Carey says
September 29, 2020 at 5:37 am
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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