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Bambi, Mara, and Rana – the Nosy Neighbors

At the sanctuary, there is never a shortage of projects (and side projects) in the works. One of the many items on our to-do list has been building a treatment area off of Yard 4.

The elephants have made it evident how much they enjoy one specific section of Yard 4 near a mud wallow, the pond, and the trough. It seems to be a favorite spot for everyone, so we are adding an elephant care area there. It will have two treatment chutes, a foot soak area, and a center stall. Eventually, we plan to expand the Asian habitat, and this area will join Yard 4 to the expansion. With the contracted team working on fences for the African habitat, you can usually find our staff working on the new treatment area or on the elephant kitchen.

Recently, one of the contractors working on Kenya’s fencing ended up working on a Saturday. Since the contracted team doesn’t work weekends, he joined our maintenance team for the day, which meant he worked on the treatment area. Since he usually works in the African habitat, he typically isn’t anywhere near the elephants – but he ended up having lots of unexpected elephant time on his extra day.

Many elephants like loud machinery, or at least respond strongly to it. Since the team was working in an area the elephants already like, Mara, Rana, and Bambi were not going to miss out on the “human show.” As non-caregiving staff, the maintenance team maintains a decent distance from the elephants. Despite that distance, we like to observe the elephants when others are nearby. That way, if we see the elephants become overly excited or agitated, we can direct the team elsewhere, giving the elephants space. Scott ultimately spent the day working out there and watching the girls. They did well. Scott put food out for the girls in other places, but sanctuary provides elephants with autonomy – and Bambi and Mara used their autonomy to return repeatedly to watch the humans build.

Bambi mostly seemed curious. Mara is a bit spoiled these days because she received a great deal of attention when she was being encouraged to eat during her recent bouts of gastrointestinal issues. From this, she feels like humans mostly exist to serve her. She seemed a little displeased by Scott not continually feeding her, but took it in stride. Rana had perhaps the best time of all – not watching the workers, but by eating all the food Mara and Bambi left behind when returning to people watching. Once she ate what she wanted, she would go back to her friends and the people show.

Photo of the three looking deceptively innocent – left to right: Mara, Bambi, and Rana

Comments(15)

  1. REPLY
    Audrey says
    April 24, 2021 at 3:03 pm

    ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ? ? ?

  2. REPLY
    Barb says
    April 24, 2021 at 3:10 pm

    Mara, she who must be “obeyed” ?❤️?. The girls like their front row seats observing humans do their thing

  3. REPLY
    Sandy says
    April 24, 2021 at 3:14 pm

    The People Show. Love that!! How wonderful for them to feel like the ones with the freedom watching humans “do work” for them! lol

  4. REPLY
    SHEILA says
    April 24, 2021 at 3:24 pm

    LOVELY GORGEOUS PICTURE OF THE TRIO??? OF BEAUTIFUL LADIES? THANKS
    OH YES I M SURE THE LADIES HAVE INTEREST IN WHATS HAPPENING TO THE FENCE IN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE PROJECT! “ THESE 3 SUPERVISORS” MUST HAVE BEEN NICE FOR THE WORKER TO BE AROUND, SO HE COULD ENJOY OBSERVING THEM ALSO!! IM SURE SCOTT TOLD HIM SOME MARA! BAMBI! RANA INFO!! I HOPE HE CHATTED THEM UP SWEETLY?‼️

  5. REPLY
    Carol in BC, Canada says
    April 24, 2021 at 3:26 pm

    The 3 Amigas! This makes me SO happy; to see these girls just watching the world go by – or not! Doing whatever they please and bonding with each other… Well, it’s just magical to see. Thank you, again, for letting us watch their goings on. Happy Days!

  6. REPLY
    Beji says
    April 24, 2021 at 5:40 pm

    Poor girls. They look like they’re in a mug shot line-up. Not guilty! Ha

  7. REPLY
    Elke Pattyn says
    April 24, 2021 at 6:19 pm

    ? love rhis post. People´s show ?what goes around, comes around
    ?❤

  8. REPLY
    Patricia Aguilar says
    April 24, 2021 at 6:20 pm

    What an audience! I don’t know if I could have paid attention to what I was supposed to be doing with such a rare treat watching me.

  9. REPLY
    Anita says
    April 24, 2021 at 8:43 pm

    I am truly amazed how quickly they all became friends! Three masquters! Love your blog with all additional news??

  10. REPLY
    Patricia says
    April 24, 2021 at 9:04 pm

    Oh, those girls! Surely none are spoiled! They make me smile and laugh out loud with joy. Thank you for these wonderful and fun stories. They are so smart and such personalities. I send them oodles of kisses, as always.

  11. REPLY
    Katie Howard says
    April 25, 2021 at 2:36 am

    Given how intelligent elephants are, my guess is they have a pretty good idea that change is in the wind!
    It’s going to get very noisy at GSE when Pocha & Guillermina arrive!

  12. REPLY
    John says
    April 25, 2021 at 8:38 am

    Is it bad that I think elephants may be more interesting than most people?

    • REPLY
      Kat Blais says
      April 25, 2021 at 11:19 am

      Join the club 😉

  13. REPLY
    JoAnn Merriman Eaton says
    April 25, 2021 at 11:05 am

    Loving these three girlfriends watching the humans work, and listening to their machinery. Wouldn’t I like to hear and understand what they are saying to each other! ???♥️

  14. REPLY
    Carey says
    April 27, 2021 at 7:58 pm

    Great pic, it captures them well…looking innocent! How interesting that they like to:human watch, and I hope the contract workers e enjoyed their day elephant watching !

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