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Bambi’s Big Reward

This week, Bambi was having some basic training done along the fence – and had an excellent session. As part of the protected contact positive reinforcement training we do with all of the girls at the sanctuary, to allow for foot care and any needed medical treatments, we offer the elephants produce as a reward. The biggest piece of fruit or veggies generally comes at the very end as a way of saying, “Job well done.”

Bambi is a little different in the way she enjoys her watermelon. The other girls generally step on theirs and pick it up in smaller portions, as you’ve seen in plenty of videos before. Bambi, however, likes to keep the whole fruit in her trunk and snack on it, piece-by-piece, until she’s done. Just another charming way that Bambi embraces her unique self.

Comments(23)

  1. REPLY
    Margery says

    What is the lump between her ear and eye in the above shot please?

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      That’s just her cheekbone. It’s slightly emphasized by the camera angle.

  2. REPLY
    Kenneth B. Newman says

    BIG personality, BIG appetite !!!!!

  3. REPLY
    Pam says

    Thanks for this post. How often is this basic training done?

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      It depends on the elephant. Most of the girls who have been here for a long time don’t need training because they learned their needed behaviors early on. Bambi still needs some refreshers at times. It’s primarily done with new elephants who are learning positive reinforcement to get used to foot treatments and medical care, etc.

  4. REPLY
    Melinda says

    Bambi is such an awesome girl! And I agree with her method of eating watermelon. After all, who knows what might be on one’s feet! Ewwww…

  5. REPLY
    Cintia Abney says

    My beautiful and unique Bambi Bambilicious ❤️❤️❤️

  6. REPLY
    Bonnie says

    Bambi’s so cute looks like she really likes watermelon

  7. REPLY
    Wim says

    I’m not surprised she’s loaded with surprises.
    Apparently there seem to be two LADIES in the sanctuary. 😉

  8. REPLY
    Julie says

    I love this post and the photo! Thank you!

  9. REPLY
    Nancy says

    Made me Smile. I liked it!

  10. REPLY
    Beji says

    I just love this big and beautiful girl!!!

  11. REPLY
    Susy says

    Que bellas palabras para describir un premio al buen trabajo. Es hermosa Bambi..una señorita previsora..tomo todo, cómo de a poquito. Gracias una vez más por compartir tan bonitos momentos..me parece ver y estar ahí. Besos desde Mendoza. Argentina

  12. REPLY
    Tracy H says

    What a cutie. Love sweet Bambi🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘

  13. REPLY
    Barb says

    Such a dainty Bambi! Clever and less bending down 🥰

  14. REPLY
    Carey says

    Haha Bless her! I’m glad she also enjoyed the training

  15. REPLY
    Sandy says

    Ha! Bambi is one sly lady! It is much harder for her friends to “share” her treat if it is wrapped in her trunk!

  16. REPLY
    Carmen Dalziel says

    I love Bambi! She’s certainly unique. She’s been my favourite “puppy-elle” since she came to the Sanctuary!

  17. REPLY
    Tammy says

    Good girl Bambi you’re a shining star and we love you! Enjoy all those treats you’ve worked hard to earn them!😘 🐘👏💞

  18. REPLY
    Polly Weber says

    Sara, You have a marvelous gift for writing. I learn so much from everyone’s questions and your responses. I am sure this is a repeat question but how do you measure the height of an elephant …like a horse and its withers?

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      I’ve never heard of a technical term for measuring height. We usually measure in meters.

  19. REPLY
    Carol Anderson says

    A wonderful congratulations to Global Sanctuary for Elephants for receiving Outstanding International Sanctuary of 2022. What an honor and so deserving of you folks who go above and beyond in every way what is required of you. Your sanctuary alone is big to allow the room for each elephant to roam at will. Then to include medical care, food and life support is just amazing. You so deserve to be recognized for all that you do.

    You so deserve to receive the Outstanding International Sanctuary for 2022. You have such a large sanctuary and to include medical, food and life support for all the girls is amazing.

    CONGRATULATIONS!

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      Thank you, Carol. We are incredibly honored.

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