Camera Insights: Rana and Mara in the Pond

The team sees Mara and Rana in the pond occasionally, but they generally get out when they see us coming. Even though they graze throughout the day, they still love the four-wheeler snacks.

We recently spied the two of them in the pond on the cameras, and Rana looked like a pond blob. She was floating, and we could periodically see her poking her trunk out the water like a little snorkel. Mara was standing guard over Rana, allowing Rana to sleep soundly, knowing Mara was there. This behavior is typical in wild elephants, and it’s a sign of the depth of their bond. While there are no predators that could threaten an elephant in our corner of Brazil, it still symbolizes that Rana is trusting Mara with her life.

Mara wasn’t entirely wet, so it looked like she had only gone in to stand over Rana. Mara is a little bit squat, her belly is too low to stand over Rana, but it looked like she was doing the best she could. Adorably, Mara would periodically press on Rana’s backside with her trunk. They were gentle pushes that would make Rana’s bum bob in the water. We don’t know her exact reasoning, but from the cameras, it looked like Mara was fascinated by the buoyancy of her friend, who was floating.

It’s incredibly sweet to watch them standing over each other that way, even if Mara wasn’t doing the best job at letting Rana sleep.

Photo of Rana, with Mara slightly behind her.

August 2, 2020

Comments(10)

Jillyp says
August 2, 2020 at 2:09 pm
Love it – these new cameras are great ?
Julia Mercedes Eden says
August 2, 2020 at 2:38 pm
How totally adorable ?. A pond blob with an ever closer best friend protecting her by making her butt bob up and down – I’d give anything to see that. Any chance of sharing what footage you have ? ❤️???
- REPLY
  EleComposer says
  August 2, 2020 at 3:14 pm
  While the camera system does have the capability to record, it is not set on continual record at this time – so there is no footage to share. The system is quite complex and the learning curve is steep, so it will take some time before we will be able to provide footage from time-to-time. Also, unless there is a reason for us to review footage, we won’t be looking at what goes on throughout the day on the cameras. We simply don’t have time.
Christine Strickling says
August 2, 2020 at 2:45 pm
Haha. Sounds so sweet. I wish we could see video of that.
- REPLY
  EleComposer says
  August 2, 2020 at 3:15 pm
  While the camera system does have the capability to record, it is not set on continual record at this time – so there is no footage to share. The system is quite complex and the learning curve is steep, so it will take some time before we will be able to provide footage from time-to-time. Also, unless there is a reason for us to review footage, we won’t be looking at what goes on throughout the day on the cameras. We simply don’t have time.
Sherry says
August 2, 2020 at 3:29 pm
Friends caring for each other. A lovely sight, yes.
Paula says
August 2, 2020 at 3:41 pm
Es muy conmovedora toda la descripción que haces del vínculo entre Rana & Mara. Simplemente es muy dulce y amoroso!
Estoy muy feliz por ellas!❤
Gracias por la generosidad de compartir este íntimo y encantador momento en la vida de las damas!
Wim says
August 2, 2020 at 5:15 pm
Someone to watch over me is the perfect phrase here. Everybody needs a muddy coach.
Wonderful when you have a true guardian at your side to keep you safe. ????
Sallie says
August 2, 2020 at 9:15 pm
Newly listed science fiction movie: “the gigantic snorkeled floating blob is coming for you soon!” and we hear from the producer, that the target audience, is charming lady elephants . . .
SHEILA says
August 2, 2020 at 10:28 pm
Thanks for this info oh my these ladies r such a gorgeous set of close sisters❤️??❤️ such evident loving trust so long overdue for dear rana and mara! Who both were desiring companion love so strong this meeting up so perfectly is amazing as was ramba and oh god bless these 2 ladies always?

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