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Keeping an Eye on the Fun From Afar

Autonomy is an essential aspect of sanctuary. Giving elephants the ability to make their own decisions – even something as simple as choosing to stand in the sun or  the shade is a new experience for many captive elephants. Each elephant has different preferences, and it is both fascinating and educational to witness them learn what they want and need.

We try to minimize unnecessary interactions to ensure that the elephants fully embrace their autonomy here. Our mere presence can be a distraction from their more natural lives. They associate their care team with food and attention, which means they often stop their instinctive behaviors when we approach. It’s hard for them to express themselves and feel free to live their lives as they choose with constant outside interference. 

This lack of in-person supervision doesn’t mean that we don’t pay attention or know what goes on in their days. With the habitat in the valley and the office on the hill, we can hear almost anything. Our camera system allows us to check in unobtrusively; we know their routines, and are a short 4-wheeler ride away if anything sounds out of the ordinary.

One of our favorite recent routines to observe from afar is a mid-afternoon party. Bambi will decide to walk away from Mara. She won’t go far. Usually, she’s wandered across a pasture to be near Rana or to get a drink. Mara will suddenly decide that she needs her friend back and will send out a Mara squeak. The squeak may set off a chain of events resulting in Bambi roaring and running full speed to Mara. When we check the cameras, we will often see Mara near the pond, just standing there innocently. When we pan the camera slightly, we see Bambi flying toward her friend. 

Once they reunite, they are usually trumpeting. If they are on camera, we see ear flapping, tails sticking out, and spinning. It can happen multiple times a week or a couple of times a day. It’s so routine that we are pretty sure what we’re going to see when we check, but still look, just in case. It’s always charming to us – and apparently hasn’t lost its luster to them yet either. 

Photo of Mara (foreground) and Bambi (background)

Comments(15)

  1. REPLY
    Nancy Shaw says
    May 15, 2021 at 3:16 pm

    I got a grin on my face reading this !! ( :

  2. REPLY
    Carol says
    May 15, 2021 at 4:36 pm

    Amazingly adorable! Cuteness overload!??????

  3. REPLY
    Suzanne M Eaton says
    May 15, 2021 at 4:37 pm

    I got a good laugh from your description of Bambi and Mara. If I could add emojis it would be a line of
    laughing faces. These girls are so cute and so attached and loving to each other. Sanctuary is absolutely
    the best.

  4. REPLY
    Charlotte Hansen says
    May 15, 2021 at 4:51 pm

    I was grinning, too!

  5. REPLY
    Nancy says
    May 15, 2021 at 5:02 pm

    I read these posts every day and love them, thank you

  6. REPLY
    Ellen says
    May 15, 2021 at 5:09 pm

    That Mara knows how to gather her friends and celebrate is hysterical….Way to go Mara!!!

  7. REPLY
    Debbie Sides says
    May 15, 2021 at 6:47 pm

    I can just picture them spinning and having fun at their party. They’re just so cute and it’s wonderful to know they have the freedom to be silly or relax or do whatever they want to every day.

  8. REPLY
    Tammy says
    May 15, 2021 at 6:52 pm

    It warms the heart to hear these adorable expressions of happiness joy friendship love but mostly freedom just to be an elephant any way any time ? ? ?? ? ? ? ? ?

  9. REPLY
    Jillyp says
    May 15, 2021 at 7:26 pm

    Oh they just LOVE each other ? It must be wonderful to see Mara and Bambi behaving like this ????
    Amazing for them to be able to make all those little everyday choices now that they can ☁️☀️

  10. REPLY
    John says
    May 15, 2021 at 8:00 pm

    Very sweet and endearing.

  11. REPLY
    Pat says
    May 15, 2021 at 8:29 pm

    Love hearing about these girls, ? makes my heart smile, thanks for sharing

  12. REPLY
    SHEILA says
    May 15, 2021 at 10:59 pm

    SWEET. ❤️SWEET STORY‼️SILLY ?BAMBI, MARA CALLS AND BAMBI RUNS LIKE THE BIG PUPPY BACK TO ?MARA! FUNNY GALS‼️ SEEMS ?RANA. IS JUST FINE WITH MARA AND BAMBI ANTICS AND JOINS IN ALSO! WHEN THEY REUNITE!! FUNNY LADIES! NICE THEY R DOING THE HAPPY DANCE?! OH WISH MAIA? AND ? LADY WERE JOINING THE FUNNY TRIO?WELL HOPE FULLY THAT WILL HAPPENING NEAR FUTURE?

  13. REPLY
    JoAnn Merriman Eaton says
    May 16, 2021 at 12:25 am

    I can absolutely see and almost hear this happening! Bambi just wanting to please and be friends with both, and that Mara girl gently letting her feelings be known ?❤️??

  14. REPLY
    Patricia says
    June 17, 2021 at 8:40 am

    Love your stories about these girls, and the love
    you have for them. God bless all you do for them,never stop sharing, it certainly lifts the heart.

  15. REPLY
    Suzanne says
    June 17, 2021 at 11:30 am

    My happiness read for the day. These girls are amazing and so attentive. I love hearing these stories.
    Thank you.

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