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Bambi, Rana, and Mara: Three’s Company

Mara and Bambi recently came to the barn without Rana for night feed. It wasn’t a cause for human concern, as they are not together at all times. Bambi, however, seemed to feel that Rana needed to join them.

Bambi called, and called, and called for Rana using giant, deep rumbles, while Mara enjoyed her meal in the chute. When Rana showed up, there was an incredible celebration. Bambi and Rana shared lots of rumbles, trumpets, affection, and touching. It was a very tender moment and lovely to witness. When Mara finished eating that evening and left the chute, the three of them ended up sharing big trumpets, rumbles, and vocalizing again.

Many of our followers ask if Rana is a “third wheel” or express sympathy for her over Bambi and Mara’s deep bond. These moments are an excellent example of how loved Rana is. She is truly a friend of both Mara and Bambi. As we have mentioned before, Bambi tends to be very protective of Mara at times. We have no way to know if that stems from Bambi’s insecurity, her desire for a best friend, if she senses Mara’s health issue, or something else. Even though Bambi is more attentive to Mara’s needs, Bambi doesn’t just hang out with Mara; she sometimes chooses to hang out with Rana instead. Her reaction to seeing Rana that night, which Scott described as a “Welcome Home!” party, shows that all three have bonded both individually and together. Even though three elephants aren’t enough for a herd, it is the groundwork of a herd, which is a beautiful sight.

This video is from another day, but it shows the bond and love between the three during one of their more subdued parties.

Comments(18)

  1. REPLY
    June Ross says
    March 18, 2021 at 3:49 pm

    WONDERFULLY written and I loved the video!
    Many thanks for all you do!

  2. REPLY
    Andy says
    March 18, 2021 at 3:59 pm

    I wonder often about Lady and how she is doing.

    • REPLY
      sara says
      March 18, 2021 at 4:22 pm

      Lady is still Lady. She is receiving her daily foot treatments and doing as well as possible. Because of the state her feet are in, no news is definitely good news. But we promise we will share any updates as they arise.

  3. REPLY
    Tammy says
    March 18, 2021 at 4:10 pm

    How beautiful i could listen to those gorgeous girls converse for hours on end ?

  4. REPLY
    Cintia Abney says
    March 18, 2021 at 4:25 pm

    Ohh so Bambi’s calling were heard and they worked since Rana came to join them ❤️

  5. REPLY
    Julie says
    March 18, 2021 at 5:02 pm

    So good to hear the dynamics are good and healthy for all three. Thank you so much for letting us in on a deeper level to this beautiful sanctuary environment. Would you update the post with which girl is which in the video, or is the title of the post in the order of the video?

  6. REPLY
    Alana says
    March 18, 2021 at 5:04 pm

    Lunch with the girls. I really enjoyed the conversation!

  7. REPLY
    Julie says
    March 18, 2021 at 5:05 pm

    I’m sorry I see the order in the video now. My bad!

  8. REPLY
    Sue says
    March 18, 2021 at 5:09 pm

    I just love them so much, all the Girls! And everyone at Sanctuary. When I see a closeup of Bambi I remember when she first came and how much care her skin needed….and look at her now. They are all so beautiful. Thank you, with all my heart, for taking such wonderful care. ❤️?❤️

  9. REPLY
    Wim says
    March 18, 2021 at 5:19 pm

    Beautiful to watch this amazing sentient connection. A little herd with giant hearts.
    ???

  10. REPLY
    Kelejan says
    March 18, 2021 at 5:36 pm

    I so love the information you all share with us each and every day. It has become a lovely needed drug, especially the way the world is going. So happy that these girls were able to come to you, and I hope many more as time goes by.

  11. REPLY
    SHEILA says
    March 18, 2021 at 9:44 pm

    BAMBI ?IS SUCH A DEAR SWEETHEART THAT WAS SO EAGER TO HAVE A GIRLFRIEND WHEN SHE ARRIVED 6 MO AGO! I RECALL HOW OVER THE TOP EXUBERANT SHE WAS AND REALLY IT WAS RANA ?THAT WAS THE KINDEST TO HER ❗️MARA ?NEVER PAID MUCH ATTENTION BECAUSE WHEN MARA ARRIVED RANA AND MARA WERE GLUED TO EACH OTHER?LOTS OF VOCALS AND LOVEINS SHOWN TO EACH OTHER BECAUSE THEY BITH NEEDED A FRIEND ?THE LADIES WERE REALLY HAPPY TO FIND EACH OTHER SOMETHING DEAR RANA MISSED SO MUCH FROM THE SHORT SISTERHOOD SHE HAD WITH ??RAMBA! I WAS SO HAPPY WHEN THE GALS BECAME A PARTY OF THREE? INDEED BAMBI IS EMPATHETIC TO MARA BUT SHE ALSO LOVES MATRIARCH RANA! THIS. TENDER EVENT OF BAMBI? CALLING UNTIL RANA SHOWED UP IS SO LOVELY?❤️

  12. REPLY
    JoAnn Merriman Eaton says
    March 18, 2021 at 11:06 pm

    To think of Bambi, a frightened, bullied girl to what she has become,a wonderful friend to Mara and Rana. Bonding with her friends, and watching them become a herd is incredible. Your posts allow all of us that love these girls to have a true insight to their personalities and developing friendships. Thank you GSE. ???♥️

  13. REPLY
    Alejandra Enquin says
    March 18, 2021 at 11:52 pm

    Cada capitulo de esta historia de amor titulada “La gran historia de amor de las cadenas a la libertad” apasiona mas que cualquie serie de Tv.Los capitulos de” El duo de almas gemelas se abre a una nueva amistad llamada Bambi” es uno de los mas emcionantes?????

  14. REPLY
    Gayle says
    March 19, 2021 at 1:06 am

    Thank you for your in-depth and detailed observations of how the elephants interact with one another. So many subtleties and nuances that normally we wouldn’t observe ourselves. Seeing the ladies so happy and in tune with each other always brightens my day. Elephant friendships are awe inspiring! ❤️

  15. REPLY
    Beji says
    March 19, 2021 at 1:18 am

    I imagine that some of the ladies parties can get really LOUD!!

  16. REPLY
    John says
    March 19, 2021 at 8:37 am

    I love the video. The close-ups of three elephants gives me a little sense of what these creatures are like. Amazing.

  17. REPLY
    FRANCINE FORD says
    March 19, 2021 at 11:17 am

    Every post I read about these GGs (Golden Girls) makes my day. Thank you for all you do. As busy as your days (and sometimes nights) get, you still take the time to share stories of these ladies with us. Rana, Bambi & Mara…party of 3. Bambi wants to make sure that no one misses out on their get togethers. How AWESOME is that! I love ALL the ladies & also wonder how Ms Lady
    Bug fits into the mix. I wish I could be a fly on the walls of her mind. And where is Ms Maia while all this partying is going on. I know that they can hear grumbles from very far away. Thank you all @ GSE for sharing these heart warming moments with us all. I truly look forward to reading your posts & stories.
    ❤?❤?❤?❤?

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