Bambi Explores Yard 5

Maia returned to the pond in Yard 4, where Rana and Mara are still hanging out with no signs of leaving the area anytime soon. With the three of them together, and with Lady continuing to communicate that she is good staying near the barn, it seemed time for Bambi to explore.

Bambi continues to be speedy, curious, and all sorts of spunky. We opened the gate between Yards 1 & 5 and went through with the four-wheeler (ATV) to see if she would follow.

As you can see in the video, Bambi followed right away with no hesitation. She zoomed after us in the same way she zoomed out of the crate when she first arrived one week ago. Bambi is generally excited to see the four-wheeler. She enjoys food and is very food motivated. It didn’t take her long to realize that the four-wheeler meant snacks or meals, so she quickly comes when she hears the four-wheeler. We frequently joke that the elephants react to the four-wheeler how children react to hearing the ice cream truck. In this video, Bambi is in full “ice cream truck” mode.

We put down hay and snacks in a few locations for her, but we are mostly giving her time and space to explore independently. Now that she is in a more massive yard, we don’t know what she is doing every second of the day, and that is part of their freedom. We check in on them, her more frequently since everything is so new, but in order for her to build up her confidence, she has to do some things on her own. She did enjoy a bath from the water trough and then walked around the pond to explore. One spot near the pond seems to be a favorite spot for the other elephants, and Bambi has already discovered it. The location appears to be an early favorite of hers as well. It’s a nice shady spot with many smaller trees and bushes. Like Lady, Bambi seems to enjoy standing in the middle of the bushes, and that’s where she spent a chunk of the morning.

October 3, 2020

Comments(30)

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Dee says
October 3, 2020 at 1:53 pm
That is so adorable. She just came with you. No fear!
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  Alejandra(Sandy)Enquin says
  October 3, 2020 at 6:43 pm
  Me emociona la actitud de Bambi???tan sociable con ustedes por la comida pero es muy mimosa y una niña exploradora! Que hermoso todo lo que esta pasando con las otras chicas tambien,el Santuario es” la Armonia” con mayuscula!! Te abrazo Bambi en tu nueva vida con techo de estrellas y km de tierra ,pastos ,aguitas para descubrir??
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Nannette Stone says
October 3, 2020 at 1:58 pm
Is this the same girl!! I can’t believe how she’s growing in confidence. Just pure joy to watch her personality coming through of who she actually is. Remarkable ❤️
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  Elaine K Decker says
  October 5, 2020 at 12:55 am
  She has a musical rhythmic motion while walking.
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Jillyp says
October 3, 2020 at 2:01 pm
WOW! Look at her go!
She is amazing ?????
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Lynn Kinley says
October 3, 2020 at 2:02 pm
Oh my goodness! She is fast! This must be the most exercise that she’s had in years. It’s hard to believe that this is the same elephant that was in the zoo. Sanctuary is so amazing!
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Tammy Nelson says
October 3, 2020 at 2:13 pm
Love seeing her enjoying that well deserved new found freedom. Bambi is the most adorable lil lady really blossoming into a new free spirit imagine what lay ahead for her and the other girls when they become one big glorious family cant wait! ???
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Barb says
October 3, 2020 at 2:14 pm
Watching her explore I can’t help but think back to only one week ago the room she had at the zoo compared to now ???? She must be over the moon happy sweet girl ????
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Kelejan says
October 3, 2020 at 2:18 pm
All that exercise must be doing her a world of good, building her muscles and getting better every day.
I wonder how much weight she has put on in the weeks she has been there. She certainly moves well.
All this in only a few days, how wonderful.
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Deb Moore says
October 3, 2020 at 2:19 pm
HAHAHAHA. Well she SURE DOES get up and go when she wants to. NEVER seen any of them move this fast for so long a period HAHAHAHA. SHe was ready and eager. She remains a surprise, being told she was so fearful and yet she does have a lot of courage when it counts.
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Maria Villa says
October 3, 2020 at 2:48 pm
Yay! Bambi looks wonderful, so glad to hear an up-date right now, as I kept checking youtube for any new video, then I found her web-page here! I felt very tender towards her, as she was quickly following the four-wheeler, she looked so innocent…”Ice cream truck mode” indeed! I imagine her standing in the midst of a bunch of bushes, resting her mind, perhaps thinking about the next time she will see her “ice cream truck” and eat some very yummy snacks. This is all unfolding so very well, hard to imagine just over a week ago she was far away and did not know Sanctuary. You got this Bambi!
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Sandra Waddacor says
October 3, 2020 at 3:17 pm
This beautiful footage just goes to show how an elephant can change in a matter of days once they taste freedom. Wonderful work Scott and Kat and your dedicated team. I just hang onto all your videos and can’t wait for the next update. Go Bambi!!!!!
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Andy says
October 3, 2020 at 3:33 pm
Exploring, Enjoyment and having fun at her pace. She can move when she wants.
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alana says
October 3, 2020 at 3:48 pm
She’s getting younger every day! So cute!
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luque azcoaga says
October 3, 2020 at 4:18 pm
El santuario es milagroso revierte en pocos dias todo el mal que le hizo su confinamiento. Que felicidad ver asi a Bambi, ahora falta que conozca a las otras niñas
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Steve Buxbaum says
October 3, 2020 at 4:19 pm
As a newly joined member, it’s been wonderful following Bambi from the darkness of her past into the sunlight of her present and future. There’s an expression I like that says: “Whoever saves a life, saves the whole world.” I can’t think of a better example than this. Thanks for your great team and the important work you do. I’m so pleased to be a small part of it.
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arie says
October 3, 2020 at 4:21 pm
This is Bambi’s most emotional tearjerker video!
To watch her being sooo happy and cheerful, can’t possibly leave anyone indifferent!
I even begin to think you guys have a magic fountain somewhere at the sanctuary and Bambi just took a dive in it ?❤️
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Tracy H says
October 3, 2020 at 4:24 pm
This is so beautiful to see. She looks amazingly happy and confidently growing each and everyday with this new freedom she has. I love reading and seeing each and everyone of the girls. Sanctuary is truly heaven for them all❣️?❤️?❣️?❤️
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Wim says
October 3, 2020 at 4:59 pm
This is so unbelievably beautiful to see Bambi free and seemingly careless roaming and striding in freedom. Really deep emotional how this piece of paradise is a gift to this tortured giant angel. She walks on air it seems despite her handicaps. How wonderful life can be. ???
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Paula says
October 3, 2020 at 5:10 pm
Estoy muy feliz de ver a Bambi tan a gusto con ustedes!
Aunque no me sorprende ya que ustedes son adorables!
Recién hace una semana que Bambi a llegado al Santuario!
Cuanto a cambiado esta dama, su aspecto es muy diferente!
Gracias a dios ,con la rapidez que camina , ella parece tener las articulaciones de las piernas muy bien!
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Eve Brattland says
October 3, 2020 at 6:03 pm
She has such a lilting, happy gait. What a change in only a week! ✌?
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Patricia Aguilar says
October 3, 2020 at 9:18 pm
What happened to our fearful elephant? It’s like she’s transformed before our very eyes. And I must say that she has a lovely, lively gait.
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Elizabeth MacIntosh says
October 3, 2020 at 9:19 pm
Grande Dame in years, spunky little kid in demeanor – I think Bambacita was almost skipping! Such a joy to see her curiously exploring new terrain and tailing right after the “food truck” – lol! *Thank you* Scott, Kat and team for the new life of freedom you are giving the girls and for allowing us to have a view into these moments. This was so delightful – watched it 5 times and counting… LOL!
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Carol Anderson says
October 4, 2020 at 12:18 am
In a word, amazing!
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Bo says
October 4, 2020 at 12:24 am
Melt, so beautiful to see the joy, the freedom energy glow all around her.
Thank you thank you!
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Sallie says
October 4, 2020 at 1:52 am
What an incredible group of unique personalities! I love that Bambi is doing her own thing and being VERY independent! I am sure the girls notice this admirable attitude. The full approval is coming around the corner! Bambi, you are quite an “Influencer”! LOVE THE ‘TUDE! Trunks Up!
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Rosie P says
October 4, 2020 at 3:54 am
It is hard to imagine the Bambi of a week ago too scared to come out of her barn at the zoo. Now look at her….she is vital and beaming! She has transformed in just a week! Has Andre and her other carers at the zoo seen this change? I am sure they will be delighted to know how well she is doing. It is so heart warming to see her use the space. I doubt she has ever been able to “run” in a wide open area like this in her lifetime.
I love this video and so do all my friends and family. So thrilled for her. Go, Bambi, go!
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Carol Anderson says
October 4, 2020 at 10:14 am
Did Bambi make her way back to the barn or did she stay in the yard??
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  Kat Blais says
  October 5, 2020 at 8:38 pm
  She stayed out most of the night, but came back for breakfast around 7.
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Dorothy Cross says
October 5, 2020 at 10:26 am
Beautiful to see her free at last.

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