The photo speaks for itself, but we want to share a little about Bambi’s weight as well. We know many of you are concerned about her putting on weight, but we also think most people forgot how emaciated she was upon arrival. It’s also difficult to not see her as anything but thin when you see her next to the other girls. Bambi is still underweight, but we are delighted to share the evidence of her weight gain with all of you. For more accurate monitoring, we weighed her several weeks ago and are scheduled to obtain a second weight in another couple of weeks.
We are working on helping Bambi gain weight in a healthy manner. Elephants can be fed high-sugar and high-calorie foods, such as cooked foods and large amounts of sugar cane, to help them gain weight quickly. It effectively allows elephants to gain weight in short periods, but its unnatural and can be very hard on their bodies. With the unknown status of Bambi’s health and her possible kidney issues, we want to make sure she gains weight appropriately. This means she receives standard, nutritious, and healthy meals, just in slightly larger quantities and more often. Like the others, her many hours of grazing each day are supplemented with hay, grains, fresh fruit, and vegetables.
Gaining weight is made slightly more challenging by Bambi’s unbelievable energy levels. It’s hard to put weight on an animal who is always on the move. Maia is the only other elephant here who is that active, but we suspect that Bambi covers more ground than Maia, and Maia has never been thin. 😉
Bambi will be skinny for a while – and, with her long legs and height, she may always appear leaner than our other elephants. As these photos show, her weight is going in the right direction, so her insatiable appetite and zest for life are paying off.
Comments(27) 
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Patricia Aguilar says
November 13, 2020 at 4:12 pmAnd look at how her natural beauty is beginning to show. She’s a very good looking elephant.
Lila says
November 13, 2020 at 4:16 pmGreat difference! Good going, Bambi!!!
Marc says
November 13, 2020 at 4:19 pmSo wonderful to see Bambi is slowly gaining weight in a healthy process. Even her skin condition is amazing from when she first arrived at the sanctuary, ❤️??
SHEILA says
November 13, 2020 at 4:19 pmOH YES! BIG ❤️SWEET ?BAMBI IS ROAMING THE YARDS VERY VERY WELL! SEIZING EACH DAY WITH GUSTO! YES ??SHES LOOKING SO MUCH BETTER YET SHE CAN PUT ON SOME MORE LBS. YES INDEED WHEN U LOOK AT THE ELEPHANTS IN THAILAND THEY EAT PILES OF WATERMELLON AND SUGAR CANE AND ARE VERY OVERWEIGHT BUT BAMBI DOESNT NEED SUGAR A PROBABLE KIDNEY DISEASE ISSUE,⚠️AS LONG AS SHES HAPPY SPRINTING ABOUT, HEALTHY AND HAPPY THATS GREAT‼️ IS BAMBI STILL TALKING WITH RANA AND MARA, AND LADY❓
Christine Strickling says
November 13, 2020 at 4:31 pmBambi is looking so much better. Keep up the good work.
Jean Tryon says
November 13, 2020 at 4:39 pmThank you for these comparison photos. What a difference! I agree someone who is generally much more active than most of its species [wo/man or elephant] might bulk up with ‘fast food’. Think of a race by a miler. If they think they will burn off a high carb meal while still maintaining their competition, they probably won’t even medal. Obviously, the same thought can be applied to elephants [including that speed demon Bambi]. Appropriate weight gain is her ‘meal ticket.’
arie says
November 13, 2020 at 4:44 pmGood on you, Bambi, that is excellent news!!
What a difference! Before, you can count her ribs, the poor girl!
It is not only the healthy food, but the freedom, space and the natural environment that does the trick.
And last but absolutely not least, the loving care of the humans, of course. ?❤️
Sue says
November 13, 2020 at 4:49 pmI am seriously going to have to consider putting in a mud wallow somewhere in my back yard ?. I was eagerly waiting for a photo comparison to see how much her skin had improved. The weight gain is so encouraging and impressive, too!! Hoping Miss Mara will soon increase her appetite and start feeling better, too. Thank you – I appreciate you all so much! ❤️?❤️
Laura says
November 13, 2020 at 4:50 pmSuch great news! So pleased for Bambi, thankful for all of you.
Debbie Sides says
November 13, 2020 at 4:54 pmYay Bambi! She looks way better than when she first arrived. She’s such a happy girl!
Kelejan says
November 13, 2020 at 5:02 pmBeen looking forward to seeing the before and after pictures of Bambi. She is looking three times better now, and one does forget how saggy looking her skin was. She is so much happier with her new zest for life and I do hope she has many more years with you.
Alana says
November 13, 2020 at 5:26 pmLooks like she is putting muscles on those front legs too. So glad things are going in the right direction for her.
FRANCINE FORD says
November 13, 2020 at 5:40 pmI’m thrilled to hear about Ms Bamtastic’s weight progress. I wonder if you could find a way to put a fit bit on her so you can measure exactly how far she rambles. They are so much like us with calories & weight. Ms Bambi is eating so much better at Sanctuary then she ever has in her whole life; then literally walks all those calories off. Weigh to go Girl!
❤?❤?❤?❤?❤?
Ercilia Garcia says
November 13, 2020 at 6:01 pmWhat was her weight on arrival and what is it now. I’d like to see number also.
Kat Blais says
November 16, 2020 at 1:37 pmWe did not weight her upon arrival, since we did not have the scale set up. It was a few weeks after. And as we mention in the post, she is on a weighing schedule, and her next weight is in a few weeks. So we don’t have comparative weights at this point.
Julie says
November 13, 2020 at 6:37 pmShe literally looks like a different elephant to me. Life was being sucked out of her; now Bambi is full of life and vigor. Love it. Keep it coming!
NISHANT BHAJARIA says
November 13, 2020 at 7:15 pmThis is great news!
Terry says
November 13, 2020 at 8:31 pmI am always so proud of you guys and sanctuary life! Even her eye looks better!!!
terry says
November 13, 2020 at 8:36 pmTesting… 123….testing…I have commented daily and have not had one comment go through…no matter. Sanctuary for Bambi and ALL the elephants is what really matters! You guys ROCK!!! Bambi…Bambusca!!!❤
EleComposer says
November 14, 2020 at 7:57 amHi Terry, thanks so much for your comment (and kind words :). A comment from you was posted yesterday, and we recall reading numerous comments from you in the past (thank you!), so we are at a bit of a loss as to what might be happening. We do have an auto-spam filter, that we have no control over, that may be part of the issue. We have no way of knowing that for sure, however. All Comments, that are not blocked by that filter, are reviewed manually by our team as they come in – but we don’t ever remember not approving any of your comments. We’re so sorry that we don’t have anything definitive to share with you on this, and hope you will persevere as we appreciate hearing from you. Thanks, Terry – have a great weekend.
Beji says
November 13, 2020 at 11:27 pmThat girl DOES have some looking legs!!
Rosie P says
November 14, 2020 at 1:48 amHer overall appearance looks better, too. Her face is brighter. I had wondered how she was going to put on some weight with all that energy she has but there is an obvious positive change from when she first arrived at sanctuary. She is enjoying her new found freedom and that has to be helping her appetite and stress levels. Add all the care she has bestowed on her and you have a recipe for a healthier ellie. I am so happy for her.
Sunny says
November 14, 2020 at 9:29 amExcellent work guys ?
Carey says
November 14, 2020 at 3:10 pmAnd do we see increased muscle mass also ? As you say her high energy must burn off calories and with her tall leggy build she may always be slimmer than some. What I think is amazing is how she is alive at all – how did our girl survive the lack of stimulation and lack of walking and interacting which she has been shown to crave? Those who may have cared about her in her previous home must be very surprised and happy at this Bambi that they rarely if ever saw. I’m relieved that we humans are comprehending why we can’t ever care for them adequately in zoos (I don’t think “care” can be put in same sentence as circus!) Very well done all that have made this possible for this incredible elephant ?
Kat Blais says
November 16, 2020 at 12:18 pmYes, she has definitely put on muscle.
Carey says
November 14, 2020 at 3:21 pmMuscle mass also! Incredible how she survived her past life, in last years the dire lack of stimulation, and fear of her “companion” elephant must have nearly killed her. No wonder this exuberant sociable being was so depressed. Her mental strength surely must be remarkable. So happy for her and thankful.
Wim says
November 14, 2020 at 4:14 pmEven if this is a marathon treatment Bambi is picking everything up in her own way. Great achievement already in a short period of time.
What a happy period of her life this must be.
???
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Bambi’s Weight Is Going in the Right Direction!