Day 5: Bambi Is on Elephant Time

Scott checks in from Bambi’s zoo in Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. It’s a slow day here; Bambi continues to be very fearful and is taking her time.

Everything went pretty well yesterday, and we are just trying to be present with her today. She is very sleepy today and spent a lot of today sleeping. In general, the vibe feels different today somehow – she feels a little heavy. It may just be the usual ebb and flow of life, it could be how sleepy she is; it could be something else. We don’t have any way of knowing. We are here to support her when she takes a step forward, but we are also here to support her when she takes a few steps back.

Once she arrives at Sanctuary, she will change pretty immediately. She will have space when she needs to take a step back. Bambi will be able to go into bushes, go for a long walk, or do whatever she wants. This fearful elephant that we see here isn’t who she is. We saw her years ago at another zoo, and she wasn’t like this. Her behavior here is environment-induced, and she will be a different elephant at the sanctuary. We don’t know if her fearfulness is related to a person, an event, or just captivity as a whole. Captivity is hard on elephants. It’s hard for them to feel safe, protected, or like they matter in many captive environments. Our focus is to help her feel safe. We will see some changes immediately, and other changes will take longer. Everything will happen at her pace.

Overall, things are going well. Bambi is more concerned today, but there is no rush. We will move forward and leave when she is ready. All we know for sure is that it won’t happen today. We kept today’s Facebook Live video short so we can keep focusing on her.

We appreciate everyone who is continuing to send positive thoughts, good vibes, and positive energy to her and the team.

If you’re just joining us and would like to learn more, please visit her Rescue Page here →

September 22, 2020

Comments(14)

Tracy H says
September 22, 2020 at 4:04 pm
Your a strong beautiful girl Bambi. You can do this. Sending good vibes and happy thoughts your way. ?????. Baby steps go along way.
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  Lisa Seppy says
  September 23, 2020 at 1:45 pm
  We love you Bambi. Thanks to the great people that are caring for her. This world needs more. Thank you so much.
Wim says
September 22, 2020 at 4:23 pm
Maybe she’s sleeping a bit in preparation for her road trip. Very nice reflections of past and future. Bambi must rise up again at some point.
???
Kelejan says
September 22, 2020 at 4:32 pm
I feel that Bambi is plain tired out with all the changes and events that are new to her. She needs to catch up on her sleep. Lat year when I met the family I had never known, it took a lot of the energy out of me as everything was so new. Also with all the traveling I did it took me the best part of a month to settle down and not feel tired after I returned home. Elephants are so like us, they need family.
arie says
September 22, 2020 at 4:33 pm
We all have off days once in a while and I hope that Bambi’s sleepiness is due to the commotions of the last couple of days and not because of underlying health issues..?
Everything in her own Bambitime ?❤️
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  EleComposer says
  September 22, 2020 at 5:55 pm
  “Bambitime” ❤️
Lori Hoover says
September 22, 2020 at 5:12 pm
Thank you for the update. I’m glad the focus is on Bambi and being with her and making her feel comfortable. A FB live isn’t what’s important. Getting to the place where she’s ready to trust in the trip is what matters most. Thank you for keeping us informed. Kitten and I will take a peek at what video you have, though. I cannot deprive her of Scott’s voice now, can I?
Paula says
September 22, 2020 at 6:15 pm
Bambitime!!! ? Muy cierto y dulce!
Con calma… Bambi está en las “mejores y más amorosas manos del mundo”, solo necesita un poco más de tiempo…dama valiente❤
Sallie says
September 22, 2020 at 6:34 pm
I think that the adorable miss bambi, is a cha cha cha enthusiast! Her talents are unlimited and she will volunteer entertainment to her new gang at gse! Elephant & human! Bravo sweetie, you keep practicing!
Debbie Sides says
September 22, 2020 at 7:36 pm
This zoo is by a highway so it’s not a serene environment. I can see her change her outlook at sanctuary as it is magical.
Terry says
September 22, 2020 at 10:50 pm
Lady and Bambi will grow a great friendship when Bambi arrives to sanctuary. You guys are phenomenal. Patience is progress. Come on sweet Bambi, we got your trunk and you will be safe, always from this point forward!❤
Rosie P says
September 23, 2020 at 2:59 am
Thank you for keeping us informed. I pray that Bambi will feel less fearful. It seems the attention and change over the last week has had an effect on her. I hope this is tiredness and she will have a better day soon after more rest. It’s all new to her and it can be exhausting .
I am thinking of Bambi and Scott and the team and sending calming and healing vibes to all. Much love. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Bridget Long says
September 24, 2020 at 3:32 pm
This is an odd question but in a couple of videos I hear a sound like something being thrown on the ground or a baseball being thrown in a mitt. Does anyone know what that is? I like imagining it’s Maison doing something noisy and fun but it’s probably not anything that cool. 🙂
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  Kat Blais says
  October 1, 2020 at 4:59 pm
  I’m not sure what it is, but Maison did throw dirt and rocks when she wanted attention and food. this is something that she has done for years.

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