Chilly Weather Makes for Silly Parties

We recently had a couple of cool days here at the sanctuary, and colder weather makes most elephants act spunky and silly. In fact, all animals of all sizes in the habitat seemed to be giddy and having fun.

Mara, Bambi, and Rana had spent the night all together and we decided to encourage them to move around a bit and warm up. Scott and Kairo, one of our caregivers, drove alongside the fence and the elephants followed, making several stops along the way for impromptu parties. There was lots of singing, lots of trumpeting, and lots of talking and rumbling. More than once, they decided to spin in circles. We aren’t sure what instigated all this, other than a sense of fun. Sometimes, if the elephants see other animals walking around, they might stop and make a bit of noise, but there was no obvious cause that particular morning.

After walking a bit, the girls stopped again, singing and trumpeting and rumbling. There seemed to be no single elephant leading the pack of silliness; it was a group effort.

Shortly after their loud celebrations, they all settled down to eat and were completely calm, as though nothing exciting occurred all morning. Only they know what prompted the festivities, but we suppose any reason for a party is a good reason.

Photo of Rana, Mara, and Bambi

Comments(19)

Kenneth B. Newman says
July 19, 2021 at 3:04 pm
With climate change, could you imagine it snowing at GSE? it did snow once in Miami, back in 1977, so anything is possible…….can’t wait for the next few shipments of 6 elephants to arrive at GSE…….That will be the greatest party EVER!!!! And make the daily lives of us GSE readers and supporters far MORE interesting !!!!
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  Sara says
  July 19, 2021 at 3:25 pm
  No – we don’t anticipate it snowing here. We’ve looked at data from 2009 forward and there is no record of any snowfall at all during those years. And we appreciate your enthusiasm, but entertainment is not our primary concern when it comes to rescues. We are concerned with animal readiness, health, safety, and other essential matters. Our readers and supporters are important to us, but we hope that the lives of the elephants here at sanctuary and the true freedom they experience are “interesting” enough for our followers.
Cintia Abney says
July 19, 2021 at 3:09 pm
Silly girls.. they don’t need a reason to celebrate and be silly seems like 🙂
John says
July 19, 2021 at 3:24 pm
They are too much. Wonder what Lady thinks when she sees or hears them……
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  Sara says
  July 19, 2021 at 3:28 pm
  If she is within earshot, she may be curious at to what might be so exciting. But I can’t imagine her wandering that way amid all the silliness!
SHEILA says
July 19, 2021 at 3:39 pm
OH THOSE SILLY LADIES🐘🐘🐘‼️ YES THEY MAY HAVE BEEN ABIT CHILLY AND WERE TRYING TO GET SCOTTS ATTENTION TO MAKE THEM WARM🗻 SANDPILES🤣😄OR BIG HAY NESTS, YES IM SURE IT WAS HAY 🌾🌾NESTS AND BLANKETS!‼️OH YES AND WARM 📧WATER TO DRINK PLEASE SCOTT‼️🤣😄 😀
Rachel says
July 19, 2021 at 3:47 pm
Lovely story – makes me smile to think of them being so silly. We adults need to take a lesson from these beautiful eles and enjoy the pleasure silliness can bring. We tend to forget that silliness can be an expression of joy. Fortunately, I have a 5-year old grandson that makes sure I don’t forget for too long. Thanks for sharing 🌸
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  Sara says
  July 19, 2021 at 4:02 pm
  You are right. We all need to try to take moments just for fun.
Katie Howard says
July 19, 2021 at 4:19 pm
Ah, the three amigos! Silliness abounds and who cares what the reason? They are due! 🤗❤️🐘❤️
Debbie Sides says
July 19, 2021 at 5:54 pm
So wonderful they can be happy silly girls whenever the mood strikes them.
Suzanne Eaton says
July 19, 2021 at 6:31 pm
Maybe having their people driving along the fence was a treat early in the morning and encouraged their happy/silly state of mind. Their happiness makes my heart sing with gratitude for GSE and all the love you lavish on them.❤️🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘
Lori Hoover says
July 19, 2021 at 6:55 pm
They are beyond precious. You’ve helped me picture them spinning and trumpeting and having fun. It reminds of some of the old videos of Maia and Guida. I’m going to keep some good thoughts for Maia and her having such fun again soon.
Sally says
July 19, 2021 at 7:03 pm
Thank you for continuing to bring us these detailed descriptions of the ladies’ escapades! I feel I can hear and see them with your commentary and l look forward to reading them every day!
Anita Janusz-Wong says
July 19, 2021 at 8:44 pm
Guys, guys! I strongly believe it is just them celebrating the FREEDOM and that beautiful place they now call home! I think, from time to time it just hits them, that this life is REAL and forever! Personally I LOVE reading all your stories. Would love to see some videos IF you can manage to capture in time! But as Sara has stressed few time on the blogs it is all about their well being, safety and physical and psychological health. And if they are showing their wellness through some silliness so much the better for us, the faithful watchers..:-))) I do have another question now that someone mentioned it here. We are looking at 3 big yards to accommodate three different groups soon in sanctuary. How many Asian girls can you fit in, in Asian fields? And how many in African and Tammy’s soon to be build? I know it never will be about the numbers but about the need and urgency of that need. But still, we are always discussing that aspect of sanctuary between ourselves as we know there are around 50 elephants in South America which could be transported to much better life! Love to all. Thank you! Forever grateful for your work and communication!
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  Sara says
  July 20, 2021 at 11:34 am
  The current Asian female habitat is large enough to hold Pocha and Guillermina when they come, but after that we would need to build out new yards to accommodate additional elephants. We want to allow those who live here to have plenty of space and freedom to move around. The female African habitat is built, save for a couple of finishing touches. It is large enough to hold Kenya, Pupy, and Kuky, and likely two additional elephants. The male Asian habitat has not been built yet, but it will be large enough for Tamy and at least one other male. They take a bit more space. It’s possible that we might eventually be able to add a third, but that will depend on the dynamics between the two already there. However, there are not that many male elephants that need rescued in South America at the moment. The land here can be built out for more arrivals when the time comes, but that is pretty far out in the future. Until then, our resources are directed to those who are here or currently in the works. There are many other elephants that we keep tabs on, as much as we can. But that is as much as we can do at this point.
Wim says
July 20, 2021 at 2:49 am
They must utterly enjoy their save haven living together in this little precious herd must give them lovely vibes.
🤗🐘♥️
Patricia says
July 20, 2021 at 4:13 am
What a blast! I’m not much for parties, but THIS party I definitely would love to attend. Such lovely and glamorous party girls! Hugs and kisses from across the miles, from hot, dry Oregon USA–just crazy.
Anita Janusz-Wong says
July 20, 2021 at 7:57 pm
Thank you Sara for your detailed answer! And we know that you know every elephant out there in captivity! And you keep a close eye on them all..:-)) The sanctuary you already created and still are creating is truly amazing. Full respect and admiration sending your way from Australia. Thank you..:-)
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  Sara says
  July 20, 2021 at 8:24 pm
  Thank you so much!

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