Day 4: Afternoon with Bambi at the Zoo

Steps forward.

In our second Live of the day, Bambi has decided to come out of her shell and partially begin re-entering the transport container. Thanks for all the good thoughts, positive vibes, and distance reiki sent her way after the previous Live. We are so thrilled to see her approaching and entering the crate again.

She’s still a little skittish and seems to be waiting for something bad to happen. Healing will be a long process for her after over 50 years of trauma in various circuses and zoos. We can’t imagine a human surviving what elephants survive – yet they keep trying and pushing. It’s incredible, and these amazing creatures continually humble us. It takes exceptional strength to do something when you’re afraid.

Bambi has so little autonomy in her life that if she chooses to retreat, we support it. Her emotional journey is not linear – it will always ebb and flow. We are overjoyed to see her stepping forward again.

The other elephants at Sanctuary – Maia, Rana, Lady, and Mara – are still learning how to be herd elephants themselves. They are evolving individually and as a herd. We believe the other elephants will understand her fear, and they will give her what humans could never give her. What they give her will be magical.

If you are just joining us, sanctuary co-founder Scott is currently with Bambi at her zoo in Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. She is our next rescue and will be coming home to Elephant Sanctuary Brazil later this week. If you’d like to learn more, please visit her Rescue Page here →

September 21, 2020

Comments(20)

arie says
September 21, 2020 at 12:55 pm
Brave girl, Bambi!
You are a ?
Everything is going to be all right because you are in the care of the top elephant carers in the world!
?❤️
Nancy Shaw says
September 21, 2020 at 1:21 pm
Well…..that made me cry! —-with love and hope. Thank you Global Sanctuary for Elephants!!
Debbie Sides says
September 21, 2020 at 1:29 pm
Bambi is a brave girl and when she gets to ESB, a whole new world will be hers to explore & experience. So glad she has this life ahead of her.
Julie says
September 21, 2020 at 2:02 pm
The elephant community is crying with you. So painful and beautiful. I love elephant people!
Nishant Bhajaria says
September 21, 2020 at 2:04 pm
Sending Bambi a lot of love!
- REPLY
  Beverly Singler says
  September 22, 2020 at 2:02 am
  So touching and ❤️ warming. You go, girl!
- REPLY
  Wim says
  September 22, 2020 at 8:01 am
  Great magic BAMBI. You’re a giant brave girl.
  Wish you the strength of the universe to find the freedom you deserve. ???
Rachel says
September 21, 2020 at 2:24 pm
My heart aches for her – the trauma these eles have been through becomes so apparent in these videos you share. We all know a beautiful and safe sanctuary awaits her arrival, but she doesn’t. She only knows the history of trusting and its betrayal. So yes, I’ll be praying for her. That she somehow realizes Scott’s and the crew’s loving and patient approach is different. And somewhere deep inside her she allows trust to overcome her fear. I get tears in my eyes just thinking of it. Hugs, positive vibes, and prayers sent your way.
JoAnn Merriman Eaton says
September 21, 2020 at 2:44 pm
Those words…. the girls will give her what humans never could. Tears of happiness for this girl Bambi. ?♥️
Paula says
September 21, 2020 at 3:04 pm
Es tan terrible y duro todo lo que describes aquí… es así, y a la vez es tan conmovedor el espíritu del elefante, criaturas mágicas, su fuerza y tolerancia nos dejan sin palabras…
Desde lo más profundo de mi corazón deseo que todas estas adorables damas logren sanar sus pasados traumas!???
Es invaluable la oportunidad que ESB da a los elefantes para ayudar a sanar❤
⭐Ustedes son únicos⭐
Tracy H says
September 21, 2020 at 3:54 pm
I’m not crying are you crying ? ??. Omg the strength and bravery this beautiful sweet girl is showing is amazing. She has no idea what awaits for her And I can’t wait to see her arrive at sanctuary and live out her life free, happy and away from the struggles from being closed up for so long. All these amazing elephants deserve all the love in the world and she will definitely receive this with Scott, Kat and all the wonderful staff Members who make sure they get everything they need. I know it’s got to be a blessing and great joy to work with such amazing creatures. I could not love them more than I do now. Thanks again to everyone who makes this possible. The world would be a different place without kind human beings like each of you.
- REPLY
  Rachel says
  September 21, 2020 at 5:41 pm
  No crying here Tracy – just allergies… where’s the Kleenex? ???☺️?❤️
Cyrann says
September 21, 2020 at 4:46 pm
God bless you sweet Bambi…
You are going on an incredible journey to your safe and loving forever home.
Love you dearly ❤️?
Kelejan says
September 21, 2020 at 6:41 pm
I am so happy to be a part of this in my very small way, if only all elephants could find Sanctuary in this manner with these so loving people at GES in Brazil. I think also that we as supporters are able to equate this in our own world and be able to treat humans and all animals in a similar way.
SALLIE says
September 21, 2020 at 7:02 pm
adorable miss bambi is definitely a “rock star”! tough as a rock with a mind that protects her instincts, and bright as a shining star in the night sky . . . you rock, girl and you keep on rocking! i truly believe that she knows that this is a positive journey for her, and that only good can come from now on, given her wonderful & caring, human companions that watch over her.
Alice says
September 21, 2020 at 7:31 pm
Thank you SO MUCH for sharing these daily videos of progress with Bambi and her upcoming trip. I can’t wait to see her arrive at ESB and to see her progress there. I truly hope that by witnessing the patience, loving care, and experience you are demonstrating, the zoo will decide that ESB is the right thing for Maison, too. Thank you for all you do for these magnificent and deserving creatures.
SHEILA says
September 21, 2020 at 8:46 pm
god bless u dear bambi everyday u are getting abit braver?im sure you know your life is going to change! that is for certain! when u see the four other ladies you will be in awe! the ladies r kind and loving and they will calm your fears sweet cautious bambi?❤️ the ladies will tell u their rescue stories and u will see when arrive u have entered you marvelous life of freedom bambi ?u will be blessed‼️
Carol-Ann Kunimoto says
September 21, 2020 at 9:55 pm
Scott, your sage approach with Bambi is humanity at it’s best.
Your commitment to honour her choices , even if that makes your time at the zoo longer than anticipated is
so compassionate. This is what treating animals ethically looks like. Thank you for your tremendous leadership. Bambi could not be in better hands, going forward with her healing.
In admiration , THANK YOU,!!!
Carol from Canada says
September 22, 2020 at 12:01 am
Scott you are an incredible advocate-warrior for Elephants, I know we are ALL thankful that you and your team are there for these magnificent creatures and trying to make their lives better. Appreciate you all, so much, and wish there were more of you in the world. Kudos to you, and thanks again for letting us take part – albeit vicariously – in these ESB journeys. Virtual HUGS, all around.
Bonnie says
September 22, 2020 at 2:50 am
Bambi is in good hands now

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