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) 
















- PO Box 2426
- Brentwood, TN 37024
- (615) 435-9523







- Ways to Support
- GSE Merchandise
- Privacy Policy
Title USD
Nancy Shaw says
May 15, 2021 at 3:16 pmI got a grin on my face reading this !! ( :
Carol says
May 15, 2021 at 4:36 pmAmazingly adorable! Cuteness overload!??????
Suzanne M Eaton says
May 15, 2021 at 4:37 pmI 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.
Charlotte Hansen says
May 15, 2021 at 4:51 pmI was grinning, too!
Nancy says
May 15, 2021 at 5:02 pmI read these posts every day and love them, thank you
Ellen says
May 15, 2021 at 5:09 pmThat Mara knows how to gather her friends and celebrate is hysterical….Way to go Mara!!!
Debbie Sides says
May 15, 2021 at 6:47 pmI 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.
Tammy says
May 15, 2021 at 6:52 pmIt 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 ? ? ?? ? ? ? ? ?
Jillyp says
May 15, 2021 at 7:26 pmOh 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 ☁️☀️
John says
May 15, 2021 at 8:00 pmVery sweet and endearing.
Pat says
May 15, 2021 at 8:29 pmLove hearing about these girls, ? makes my heart smile, thanks for sharing
SHEILA says
May 15, 2021 at 10:59 pmSWEET. ❤️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?
JoAnn Merriman Eaton says
May 16, 2021 at 12:25 amI 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 ?❤️??
Patricia says
June 17, 2021 at 8:40 amLove 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.
Suzanne says
June 17, 2021 at 11:30 amMy happiness read for the day. These girls are amazing and so attentive. I love hearing these stories.
Thank you.
Subscribe to our Blog
Shop & Support Elephants
Visit our online store and and help spread the word about the need for sanctuary for captive elephants.
Give Through Our Wishlist
Shop and choose a treat or much-needed item for one of the elephants.
Categories
Archives
Global Sanctuary for Elephants
Stay connected with our herd
MISSION: Protecting, rescuing, and providing sanctuary for elephants worldwide.
Global Sanctuary for Elephants is a 501 (c)(3) tax exempt, public charity status (EIN 46-3564818) and all contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
© Global Sanctuary for Elephants. All Rights Reserved
Your ticket for the: Keeping an Eye on the Fun From Afar
Keeping an Eye on the Fun From Afar