Volume on!!
This video is of Bambi (58 years old) and Rana (63 years old), celebrating a downpour at Elephant Sanctuary Brazil. It is beautiful to watch the two expressing themselves, being silly, and doing it together. But this reality is one that almost didn’t happen. Some argued that these elephants were too old to travel (the average lifespan of captive Asian elephants is around 40), and would not adjust to a life that offered them nature and a freedom they hadn’t known since being captive. Thankfully, the new owners of the facility where Rana was housed realized she needed more, and a judge decided the same for Bambi.
Time at the sanctuary can be short for some elephants. The South American captive population is quite old and many have suffered from decades of inappropriate diets, housing, and treatment. There is always a risk when moving an elephant, much like any time a human undergoes any sort of procedure. (It’s why they have you sign a release). But the joy and emotional healing that most elephants experience begins immediately upon arrival and, for most of us, that outweighs the risk.
Bambi and Rana received this chance at freedom that many other captive elephants will never know. We are eternally grateful for that, and for the blessing that their presence is at the sanctuary. It’s hard to imagine this place and how different things would be without them.
This grandma party started as a party of one, with Bambi trying to entice someone to come and play with her in the rain. Mara was separated out so we could offer her frequent meals, but Rana was in the same yard. After almost 5 minutes passed, something in Rana clicked and she was ready to go play. She went running out to where Bambi was, throwing her trunk up, blaring her super loud trumpet, and the silliness continued. There were a few minutes before we started recording, but the rain was coming down too hard to take video. And once they were done, they both enjoyed settling down with some hay.
The relationship between the two of them, their time at the sanctuary, and sharing it with you is an utter gift. Enjoy!
Our girls move around a lot in this video. You can recognize Rana because she has a fused left elbow from an injury sustained before coming to sanctuary.
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Cintia Abney says
March 23, 2021 at 3:35 pmThey have so many moves and a perfect choreography!! Seems like Rana is leading and Bambi watches carefully jo they can do together in perfect sync ❤️❤️ These grammas still have it! ?❤️
John says
March 23, 2021 at 3:38 pmOk this is more like it! Almost 5 minutes of elephant joy!!! Thank you!!!!!
Bill says
March 23, 2021 at 3:41 pmYou are never too old to enjoy dancing. Rain or no rain.
Sue says
March 23, 2021 at 3:42 pmI’m smiling both at the Girls being silly and with the title of your post ?. Another valuable lesson learned from these extraordinary beauties. TY!!! ❤️?❤️
Julie says
March 23, 2021 at 3:43 pmHappy, content grandmas. These ladies give cross-species inspiration for the aging process!
Katie Howard says
March 23, 2021 at 3:44 pmRana is SO excited! This ONE moment in time makes all the effort to get these elephants to Sanctuary worthwhile! I think Bambi’s introduction to the group in Sanctuary has been good for the girls. Her energy and enthusiasm are having an impact – positively precious! ❤️?????❤️
Nancy says
March 23, 2021 at 3:45 pmIt looks like they’re doing “The Hokey Pokey” – and LOVING it. Thank you for sharing the joy!
JoAnn Merriman Eaton says
March 23, 2021 at 3:58 pmThese silly girls. What utter joy for them, and for us to watch. Sanctuary heals. Thank you once again for sharing this wonderful video.
Debbie Sides says
March 23, 2021 at 3:59 pmSo lovely to see them having so much fun in the rain!
Patricia Aguilar says
March 23, 2021 at 4:16 pmThe splashing in the puddles is especially endearing.
CLAUDIA says
March 23, 2021 at 4:19 pmLOL, I love Rana kicking at her stick. So much fun!
Andy says
March 23, 2021 at 4:22 pmProving you are never too old for fun.
Linda says
March 23, 2021 at 4:26 pmThat was amazing and so much fun to watch! Loved the sticky tails and Rana’s determination to kick that stick!
Nancy Shaw says
March 23, 2021 at 4:31 pmLove the Sticky-outy tail, back leg kicks and the Trunk waving with Alot of Noise !!!!
Merry says
March 23, 2021 at 4:36 pmThe sounds! The shrieks come from the mouth? Do the bass rumbles come through the throat? I imagine (exhaled? inhaled?) air passing a flap or bladder? I think of the Tuvan throat singers from Tuva, a small republic of Russia between Siberia and Mongolia. The sounds of many Eastern and Indian string instruments also remind me of the elephant rumbles, long and deep. Wonderful to see five minutes of sound and activity from that pair!
Sara says
March 23, 2021 at 9:30 pmRumbles and barks are laryngeal sounds – and lots of other elephant noises come from the larynx, too. Trumpeting sounds come from the trunk, as do noises like snorts.
Elaine Richard says
March 23, 2021 at 4:55 pmWhat a wonderful video. They look like two wacky, happy teenagers!
SHEILA says
March 23, 2021 at 5:02 pmSINGING? AND ??DANCING IN THE RAIN U DER THEIR FAV TREE! SO GREAT FOR THE SOUL? MY GOODNESS RANA ?WAS VERY LOUD, EVEN KICKING UP HER REAR FEET BUT. GENTLE WITH ?BAMBI! RANA EVEN PULLED THE DEAD TREE BRANCH AND A STICK AND CLEARED UP UNDER THE LOLIPOP ?TREE SO THEY COULD DANCE AROUND IT? BAMBI WAS A VERY WILLING PARTNER AND IT WAS CLEARLY A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE FOR THESE YOUNG GRAMMAS? SO GREAT THE LADIES HAD SUCH A HAPPY TIME❗️. I WONDER WHAT SONG THEY WERE DANCING TOO? “RAINDROPS KEEP FALLING ON OUR HEADS”❓
Bernadette says
March 23, 2021 at 5:17 pmRana obviously relishes the rain
Bambi going along for the ride
Rachel says
March 23, 2021 at 5:45 pmWowza – a beautiful sight to see. Grandmas are never too old to dance – physically or spiritually – and these gals prove it. My blind grandma used to grab any kid she could that walked by her for a dance. I’ll never forget that. Thank you for sharing this uplifting video that was sooo needed in my heart. Love and blessings to all of you. ?
Rebecca KEHR says
March 23, 2021 at 5:59 pmSuch unadulterated elephant joy. It made my heart happy to see these girls having so much fun. Thank you for providing a safe and happy place for all the girls and Thank you for sharing this!!
?❤❤?
Alana says
March 23, 2021 at 6:11 pmWonderful! Smiled all the way through it. Sounds were amazing. “Just singing in the rain.” No umbrella needed.
Suzanne Eaton says
March 23, 2021 at 6:24 pmIt’s pure joy watching these two grandmas dancing in the rain. Thank you for sharing.
Wim says
March 23, 2021 at 6:25 pmElephants can heal the world if we let them.
This is pure lovely happiness rebirth in the smiling rain.
????
Debra Moore says
March 23, 2021 at 6:50 pmGood grief, that Rana is ON FIRE !! Butt bumps, leg whacks and turning like ballerinas !! SO cute !!
Madeleine Hackett says
March 23, 2021 at 7:05 pmThat’s SO funny and adorable! I just love the back keg moves and the two of them having so much fun . How I wish this could be the life for sad captive elephants all around the world . Beautiful to watch
Kelejan says
March 23, 2021 at 7:06 pmWonderful, wonderful, wonderful. I felt choked up watching them and so sad for all the other elephants in captivity who have missed out.
But we can only do the best we can and give some happiness to these wonderful creatures. Thank you so much for these few minutes of glorious fun.
Carol says
March 23, 2021 at 7:37 pmThat was FANTASTIC!!!!
Thank youuuuu!!!!
Tracy H says
March 23, 2021 at 7:58 pmGreat video of these lovely grannies. Simply beautiful to watch them together. Thanks so much for sharing with us.
Sallie says
March 23, 2021 at 8:21 pmTiming and Good Fortune are everything! I love seeing these two, doing “the elephant tango”! Rana and Bambi are enjoying themselves and rediscovering their devotion to each other. This video is the best thing that happened to my unpleasant day. Thanks Girls! You both warm my heart.
Sallie says
March 23, 2021 at 8:34 pm?????????????????Timing is everything as well as good fortune. How lovely to see these sweet girls doing “the elephant tango”! And enjoying each other’s company! This wonderful vid took me happily out of a very nasty day. Thanks Girls! ??????????????????
Terry Feleppa says
March 23, 2021 at 9:14 pmPut your Bambi trunk in, put your Bambi trunk out…put your Rana leg in and shake it all about…do the sanctuary pokey and turn yourself around…yay, THAT IS WHAT SANCTUARY IS ALL ABOUT!!! Bambi’s “Hummingbird” mode is getting the girls moving!!!❤❤❤
Patricia says
March 23, 2021 at 9:20 pmIt doesn’t get much more adorable and goofy than this! I quote two women, a century apart: “It’s never too late to be what you might have been,” George Eliot, and “The sweetest thing that you’ll ever see in the whole wide world is a happy girl,” Martina McBride. This grandma is very grateful to be able to see Bambi and Rana. Love to you all.
Audrey says
March 23, 2021 at 10:05 pmThey are having such a great time in the rain & mud & just enjoying everything about the day.
I’m loving the vocals between them as well as the rumblings.
So happy, it’s lovely to see.
BTW I think they have adapted very well to the sanctuary, they’re finally free of shackles & bull hooks.
fernande poitras says
March 23, 2021 at 10:16 pmelles sont tellement drôles et mignonnes elles se croient sûrement au Paradis je le crois aussi
June Ross says
March 23, 2021 at 10:29 pmWhat a riot these two are!! I chuckled out loud watching them play. Such joy and exuberance!
Gramma Tammy says
March 23, 2021 at 11:33 pmWhat a treat to see and hear the joy coming from those gorgeous girls it’s something we never get tired of watching. Sanctuary life has given them back what was stolen that’s what it’s all about we owe them that much, thank you! ????
Liora says
March 23, 2021 at 11:34 pmSeeing these two beautiful elephants together having so much joy brought me a few minutes of much-needed joy this evening. ❤️?? The love that you all have for these magnificent beings is so apparent and I am so glad that you do the hard work to rescue them at any age and give them whatever time they can have of joy and freedom and connection with other elephants. The world is blessed to have you guys in it. Thank you.❤️
bo says
March 24, 2021 at 1:23 amyou have synchronised swimming… this is synchronised elephanting!
at times it seems as if Rana wants to do some gardening 🙂
but i guess she just wants to express her joy, throwning away branches like confetti or something, oh toooo cute.
this is what the sanctuary is all about indeed, lovely lovely to see those two like that!!
thanks thanks for this uplifting video!
Katherine says
March 24, 2021 at 3:17 pmHow lovely. It’s as if something clicked in from long ago distant times – memories from perhaps when they were very tiny,? Pure joy and glee. Splash splash – look at us, come and join the party!!
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Grandmas Love Dancing in the Rain, Too