Happy International Friendship Day!

Today is International Friendship Day and we want to celebrate the ever-evolving relationships of the elephants here at sanctuary. Friendships are complex. They can be deep and lifelong or fleeting and seasonal. The same can be said about the relationships among the elephants at sanctuary. For instance, Maia and Guida had a bond unlike almost anything we’d ever seen, while Mara is still learning how to create connections that take into account the other individual’s needs more often. Lady is unique in that her friendships exist, but at a distance that makes her comfortable – and the other elephants respect her boundaries. Rana remains the calming presence in the group, seeming to know what the others need. Bambi is growing and learning how to harness her big energy when the situation calls for it – but also finding outlets for that energy under the right circumstances. Pocha and Guillermina are only learning how to build relationships with the girls in the herd, but as they learn more about themselves, they will connect more with the elephants who mesh well with their individual personalities. Watching the elephants evolve over the years has been rewarding for the humans here, as we see how emotions deepen and friendships change over time, all in a natural way. There’s no question that elephants have the ability to connect on a level we may never understand, but watching the process is beautiful – and we learn from it every day.

Photo of Rana, Mara, Pocha, and Bambi grazing together

Comments(8)

Shirley Taylor says
July 30, 2022 at 2:52 pm
How wonderful how they have all fitted so well into their new lives and living together. All thanks to both and your helpers.
Pam says
July 30, 2022 at 3:21 pm
Thanks for sharing these insights with us!
Charlotte says
July 30, 2022 at 11:28 pm
This friendship process is indeed beautiful to watch! Thank you so much for letting us be such close (from afar!) onlookers to the day-to-day happenings and interactions of these most wonderful of all God’s creatures!
Debbie Coulsey says
July 31, 2022 at 12:45 am
I found this picture of the girls made ME happy thinking of all of them together as they should have had the chance all their lives.
SHEILA says
July 31, 2022 at 2:01 am
OH I LOVE TO SEE THE HERD GROWING CONTENTEDLY.. SEEING POCHA WITH RANA. IS AWESOME GREAT FOR HER TO HAVE FRIENDS OTHERTHAN GUILLE ONLY. LOVE THESE LADIES. SEEING THEM SO. RELAXED AND HAPPY. IS SO LOVELY😍❤🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘😍❤
John says
August 1, 2022 at 7:55 am
I recently met a man who was wearing a t-shirt that had an artistic depiction of an elephant and “Thailand” written out. My first reaction was that it was beautiful, with traditional Thai “garb” on the animal. But I immediately thought about how the animals there have been used throughout history. It made me sad to think about their lives. On the other hand, it’s incredibly wonderful and beautiful to see what the GSE is doing, and what they are all about – putting elephants first! Thank you so much for what you are doing!
Tammy says
August 2, 2022 at 5:45 am
Amen 🙏💞
Carey says
August 3, 2022 at 3:24 am
It must be very very interesting to observe each of their relationships over time as closely as you do, and to be able to peek into the process and abilities elephants have for getting and sustaining what they need in their society. Thank you for enabling us to watch too, as you know it’s rare to be educated the way you are teaching us, and watch it happening!

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