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Guille Shares Space – But Not Food

Guille is slowly learning how to give the other elephants sufficient room to eat during their snack times. We intentionally spread out their food so that everyone has something to look for and enjoy, and to avoid as much sharing as possible. The other girls have learned to keep an eye out for any trunk seeking extra snacks. 

Here you can see that Guillermina takes a large bite of her hay and chews it quickly, as she turns around to walk towards Rana and Bambi, who are also eating. Rana anticipates Guille’s tactics and turns her body – and her food – in the opposite direction, which sends a message to Guille: eyes on your own pile of hay. It’s a gradual process, but progress is being made as Guillermina grows and learns more about how to live healthily in a herd setting.

Comments(15)

  1. REPLY
    Pam says
    December 3, 2022 at 2:10 pm

    Do you think Guillemhas lost any weight since she has been there? I know there were concerns about her weight when she and her sweet mommy first arrived.,

    • REPLY
      Kat Blais says
      December 3, 2022 at 2:37 pm

      yes, she definitely has lost weight and gained muscle since being here. she’s not at an ideal weight yet, but getting closer. ☺️

  2. REPLY
    Pam says
    December 3, 2022 at 2:11 pm

    *Guille

  3. REPLY
    Pam says
    December 3, 2022 at 2:24 pm

    Nice job, Rana. Good learning, Guille!

  4. REPLY
    Carol says
    December 3, 2022 at 4:21 pm

    Guille STILL was able to swoop in and eat Rana’s hay!! lollllll

  5. REPLY
    María Elizabeth Alvarez says
    December 3, 2022 at 5:05 pm

    Guille is so sweet..

  6. REPLY
    Debbie Coulsey says
    December 3, 2022 at 6:59 pm

    Why do you feed hay ( at a cost to you ) when there is so much beautiful grass? We fed hay to our horses because their fields were pretty bare, they would have loved this grass haha.

    • REPLY
      Kat Blais says
      December 4, 2022 at 9:09 am

      unfortunately, most of the elephants arrive with significant physical compromise and additional feed is necessary. several elephants have arrived 1000 lbs and more underweight. while others, like pocha and guilee, are overweight, due to colic issues that are common in elephants, you can’t just quickly change over from hay for 50 years to all grass. we do decrease the amount of hay fed during the rainy season, but still offer it during meals (it’s a nice play to lie their food on top of) and a bale spread around the habitat. considering their size, it’s not much at all.

  7. REPLY
    Susy says
    December 3, 2022 at 7:55 pm

    Adelante hermosa y valiente Guille. La vida es puro aprendizaje..debes continuar aprendiendo y respetando a tus compañeras. Creen que va superando la ausencia de Pocha? Cómo la observan ? Se a adaptado a la vida diaria sin mamá Pocha?? Gracias por compartir imágenes e info de ella.

    • REPLY
      Kat Blais says
      December 4, 2022 at 8:59 am

      we think she is adapting. she is learning to socialize more with the other elephants and becoming more settled. but, like humans, I don’t think she will get over the loss of her mom for some time.

  8. REPLY
    Gayle says
    December 3, 2022 at 10:50 pm

    Guille says: Just taking a little stroll through the meadow, so don’t mind me and my wandering trunk, Rana. 😀

  9. REPLY
    SHEILA says
    December 4, 2022 at 5:34 am

    Aaah. GUILLE HAS HAD BAD MANNERS FOR 23 YRS. WITH MUMA POCHA, BUT MUMA IS GONE TO HEAVEN. SO GUILLE HAS TO LEARN.
    IT WAS A GENTLE GREAT TEACHING FIR GUILLE THE HAY BANDIT. YES SHE WILL LEARN. SHE IS A SMART

  10. REPLY
    John says
    December 4, 2022 at 8:40 am

    Amazing how lush it looks. A true paradise for elephants. I love these kind of videos, I almost feel like I’m there. thank you!

  11. REPLY
    Beji says
    December 4, 2022 at 9:14 am

    Nice try, Guille….

  12. REPLY
    Susy says
    December 4, 2022 at 9:50 pm

    Gracias Kat.. siempre atenta a responder las consultas. Estoy muy conforme y agradecida porque me has ayudado mucho a superar la ausencia de Pocha. Sí, obviamente la ausencia de una madre no se supera nunca, lo vivo desde hace 33 años..y creo que no hay diferencia entre animales y humanos..la mamá se necesita toda la vida. Un abrazo fuerte..y no dejen de compartir info de Guille. Los quiero sin conocerlos

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