Hide and Seek With Mara and Rana

Just because they’re our resident grandmas doesn’t mean that Rana and Mara can’t get silly when they want to. The two of them are some of the chattiest of all the elephants, and they regularly have vocalization sessions that you can hear all the way across the habitat and up the hill to the caregivers’ office. In this video, you get a glimpse of how spry they can be and how much they seem to enjoy each other’s company.

Here, Rana appears to have lost track of Mara, even though Mara is just a few feet from her in the bushes. Rana trumpets, tail out. and sets off into the trees to look for her friend. In the meantime, Mara makes her way out of the brush and over to the spot where Rana had just been and doesn’t find Rana. Instead, Rana walks in a circle to get behind Mara, and the two of them finally find each other. There’s a joyful moment when they reunite–even though they’ve only been apart for a mere few seconds. Rana rumbles deeply for a while, then Mara begins to squeak in response. She even lifts her right foot to Rana in her sweet way. They may only have lost each other for a quick moment, but they hardly need much of a reason to celebrate. Sometimes just spending the day with a friend is enough of a cause for a few good rumbles.

Comments(15)

Barbara L Smith says
June 19, 2025 at 2:38 pm

Ah! There you are, hello old friend.🐘🐘🥰🥰
June H. says
June 19, 2025 at 2:39 pm

Two chatty girls! 😊 I wonder what they are talking about!? ❤️🐘🐘❤️
Doe Fowler says
June 19, 2025 at 2:51 pm

What a bond! This includes Scott as it appears they are batting eyelashes at him too. Thank you for sharing!
Elizabeth says
June 19, 2025 at 3:08 pm

Do you think they get anxious when they can’t see their friend immediately? I wonder if this is a reaction from past trauma.
- REPLY
  Kat Blais says
  June 19, 2025 at 3:40 pm
  
  i think bambi might get a touch anxious when she doeosn’t know where maia is, but i wouldn’t say the other girls get anxious. they definitely have that moment of ‘where did you go?’
  - Elizabeth says
    June 19, 2025 at 4:06 pm
    
    Ok good- I always worry they may have residual anxiety from their past. Thank you
  - Tammy says
    June 20, 2025 at 9:17 am
    
    🥳Those two are just like a couple of kids how fun to watch and listen to them it’s just heartwarming knowing they’re enjoying each and every day to the fullest! Much love and big hugs to all 💞🦋
Sue says
June 19, 2025 at 4:09 pm

Here’s to the gift of having a beautiful friendship with someone and the joy and comfort it can bring. So glad our Girl’s have the comfort of friendships at Sanctuary!! ❤️🐘❤️
Pamela Hall says
June 19, 2025 at 4:26 pm

Amazed at how easy it is for elephants to disappear!!! 🫠
Kenneth B. Newman says
June 19, 2025 at 5:53 pm

How do we NOT know if they are saying to each other, “Who’s that crazy guy taking videos of us”????
Patricia Richardson says
June 19, 2025 at 8:47 pm

So wonderful!!!
Bonnie says
June 20, 2025 at 12:41 am

They are so chatty today
Johnny says
June 20, 2025 at 11:32 am

I’m filled with awe.
Alida says
June 21, 2025 at 7:18 pm

Love these two girls so much! ❤️ what a beautiful relationship they have. Mara has got gorgeous eyes 😍 and Rana, well, she’s just such a cute bug ❤️🐘❤️🐘❤️
Johnny says
June 22, 2025 at 8:13 am

Those rumbles!!!!!!!!!! 🐘 🐘

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