We occasionally refer to Bambi as a puppy, because, well, her exuberance reminds us of a puppy sometimes. Her reaction to Rana and Mara spending time in the ponds might be her most puppy-like behavior to date.
As many of our followers know, Bambi wasn’t a big fan of water before sanctuary. Here, she seems to enjoy the mud, rain, and baths. When she arrived, it was the end of the dry season, so the ponds were low on water and more reminiscent of giant puddles than ponds. We would find her in the mostly empty ponds early on, splashing away with Rana and Mara.
Scott recently went to drop off an afternoon snack to Mara (and anyone with her). He found Mara and Rana swimming in the pond and Bambi standing outside. She seemed very curious about why they were enjoying themselves. She quickly came running over to Scott as if to say, “DO YOU SEE THEM?!?!?!” She ran back and forth between Scott and the pond several times, seemingly trying to express numerous emotions at once.
A few days later, this video was filmed when we came upon Mara and Rana enjoying themselves in the pond with Bambi standing outside the edge again. That day, Bambi started to come over to Kat, and Kat put down a pile of food for her. Then Rana exited the pond looking for snacks as well. Once Bambi realized Rana was leaving the pond, she excitedly ran back over to check on Rana. Rana ended up on Bambi’s initial pile, so Kat put down a new snack for Bambi. Meanwhile, Mara started to get out of the pond, so Bambi had to run over to Mara to be excited about Mara exiting the pond. Mara got the second pile of food, so Kat made a third pile for Bambi. Everyone settled in on their snacks and seemed happy, enjoying their food in the shade.
Please note that the pond is actually quite deep. During the video, Mara and Rana are standing in the shallow part near the edge.
Comments(13) 














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Nishant Bhajaria says
January 27, 2021 at 4:26 pmThis is so pure in its joy.
Nancy J Shaw says
January 27, 2021 at 4:49 pmThis made me laugh out-loud !
Wim says
January 27, 2021 at 5:05 pmBambi your the master of entertainment. Your days are much too short maybe you can find a nice assistant. ??
John says
January 27, 2021 at 5:12 pmIt’s such a revelation to watch Bambi’s changes since she came to sanctuary. I just became aware of GSE when you went to the zoo to move her. Thanks for all the videos and the posts.
Julie says
January 27, 2021 at 6:15 pmPuppies and elephants are two of the best creatures on the planet, and Bambi is both! How great for her and us to witness her joy!
Debbie Sides says
January 27, 2021 at 6:23 pmI just love these girls and Bambi being puppy like is so refreshing. She probably hid her “inner child” prior to sanctuary. Bless her sweet heart!
Susan says
January 27, 2021 at 6:29 pmAdorable… and in some ways a little sad that something as normal to an elephant raised wild is so new to her. This simple nature activity she was not raised with. Forced into captivity that resembled nothing natural. Thank goodness for sanctuary while not free, she is living a near-natural life. Bless you every minute of every day. I love you all.
Pam Knaggs says
January 27, 2021 at 7:01 pmThank you fir sharing this happy post! Kind of down with cold weather and pandemic. These videos and updates give me something to look forward to.
andrea says
January 27, 2021 at 7:01 pmfico esperando o dia todo por estes relatos e quando vem com video é um plus! que amor e que felicidade poder ver estas maravilhas se divertindo.
Julia Mercedes Eden says
January 27, 2021 at 10:10 pmLove ❤️ getting the latest updates of the antics of one or other of the girls at Global Sanctuary Elephants ?. Makes my heart ❤️ fill with joy ? at Bambi’s puppy-like behaviour but as another person said, she’s making up for lost time and behaviour almost from her calf days that were denied her by captivity – (but at least she is). Her exuberance at Rana and Mara exiting the pond at the cost of possibly losing her own snacks as a forfeit makes it clear just how deep her love ? is for her sisters and just how important it is also to her that she keeps her behaviour in their company ‘correct’ so as not to alienate them as happened in the past. God bless her huge heart ❤️, her adoration for her sisters and her continued growth in every way since her memorable day of arrival at Global Sanctuary Elephants ? in Brazil. The stuff that films are made of ??❤️?
Sallie says
January 28, 2021 at 12:58 amWOW! What a personality! Bambi is a wonderful unifier of different personalities. A true Social Butterfly with a sense of purpose and a sense of humor . . .
Rachel says
January 28, 2021 at 1:28 pmBambi is truly endearing with her excitement of all things new. Such a lovely, heartwarming thing to see. I couldn’t be more happy for her and the other eles at sanctuary. Thanks for the spirit lift!
SHEILA says
January 29, 2021 at 2:49 amYES! BIG GAL EXUBERANT BAMBI! SHE LOVES RANA AND MARA SO MUCH! SHE HAS REINED IN HER EXUBERANT VOCALS! BUT SHE US PUPPY MOVING LIKE SHES SAYING”COMEON GIRFRIENDS,, TREAT ???TRUCK IS COMING. Yes HAV3 TO GET THE TREATS! COMEONE. GET OUT OF THE POND”. LETS GET THE SNACKS!! SHES SUCH A COMICAL CHARACTER‼️ YES THE STAFF CAN ENJOY THE BIG FUNNY PUPPY GIRL”????
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Bambi’s Endearing Puppy-Like Behavior