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Lady’s Courage and Rana’s Patience

 

Lady

Lady and Rana continue to spend time almost daily on opposite sides of the fence watching each other. Rana is usually very close to the fence and, while Lady is coming closer, she is still making sure she isn’t quite close enough to touch or be touched. Lady seems comfortable with this distance as a new normal.

They’re developing a pattern – when Rana starts walking towards her, Lady will quickly step back. Once Rana settles in along the fence, Lady goes back and stands about 10-15 feet (4-5M) from Rana and they will observe each other for a little bit. Eventually, Lady will walk away to get a drink, but then returns to the shared fence line to watch Rana, who is usually still just patiently waiting and they watch each other a little more.

You can almost see Lady thinking it through, and processing what is happening. This may seem like a tiny step not worth celebrating, but, for her, this is an incredible step.

Lady is still new enough that we check on her daily at night (around 10pm or so). Recently, when Kat went out for Lady’s last check, Maia was nearby; along an adjoining fence line, which is another huge first. They were pretty close to each other, and both of them were very calm. We don’t normally see Maia close to the barn at night, and we haven’t yet seen another elephant come to check on Lady at night.

As many of you remember, when she arrived six weeks ago, she would run away and wouldn’t come back if another elephant approached her. She seemed scared and nervous and didn’t have the confidence to approach another elephant – perhaps due to a past trauma we know nothing about.

Consistently getting this close to another elephant is such a huge deal for her – and we are making sure she knows we how proud we are and how brave she is. We don’t have any great pictures of Rana and Lady watching each other through the fence, but here is a photo of Lady, well, being Lady, and you can see some of this newfound confidence shining through.

January 9, 2020

 

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Comments(10)

  1. REPLY
    Sherry says
    January 11, 2020 at 4:22 pm

    She is taking her time because she doesn’t know elephants even though she is one. Does she really know she is an elephant?
    She is not sure of herself and she doesn’t have the confidence. It is going to take her a pretty good while before she can touch.
    Everything will work out in the end.

  2. REPLY
    Sheila says
    January 11, 2020 at 4:32 pm

    OH THANK YOU SCOTT AND KAT! VERY VERY GOOD NEWS!! LIL BRAVE LADY❤️?IS LOOSING HER FEAR! AND MAIA? HAS BEEN LOOKING IN ON HER ALSO!VERY GREAT NEWS “SWEET LOVING SOCIALWORKER RANA” IS BEING VERY PATIENT! THEY MUST BE SENDING MESSAGES TO EACH OTHER! RANAS “WELCOMING! JOINS US “ TRUMPETS WERE ONLY GREETINGS. BUT SCARED POOR LADY 6 WKS AGO. NOW DEAR? RANA IS DOING THE “PATIENCE APPROACH”. IM PRAYING AND HOPING. LADY ?OVERCOMES HER FEARS VERY VERY SOON‼️ THIS IS SO EXCITING THIS NEWS❤️

    • REPLY
      JC Tryon says
      January 11, 2020 at 8:59 pm

      What a wonderful description of Rana! Yes, Shiela, Rana is a great social worker, maybe even a giant psychologist. Letting Lady get her feet under herself, exploring, finding answers, all as Rana waits for her. None of that “And how does the make you feel” stuff. Just there to answer questions and let Lady know she is not alone.

  3. REPLY
    Carmen says
    January 11, 2020 at 4:34 pm

    Come on, Lady! Come on, brave girl! Sweet Rana is waiting…

  4. REPLY
    Carey says
    January 11, 2020 at 5:15 pm

    you are educating me so much, I’m seeing aspects of elephants that astound me and make me emotional

    • REPLY
      Kelejan says
      January 11, 2020 at 7:35 pm

      Carey, I agree with every word you have written. Lady will get they in her own time and I so look forward to them finally touching and then wanting more and it will be for the rest of their lives.

  5. REPLY
    Barb Wilson says
    January 11, 2020 at 5:45 pm

    No fireworks (please ?) but cheers of happiness as Lady takes those steps one at a time toward love and companionship with her ele sisters.

  6. REPLY
    Gillian says
    January 11, 2020 at 6:15 pm

    Lovely reading about Lady.I hope soon she will make friends with the others have sent £20 towards treats or foot balm whatever she needs.Give her loads of love from her English momxx

  7. REPLY
    Debbie Sides says
    January 11, 2020 at 8:38 pm

    Lady bug can take her sweet old time. She is so cute! I think she’ll realize they’ve all had a past to deal with and I hope she will eventually look to her sisters for comfort that a only a herd can provide.

  8. REPLY
    Patricia says
    January 11, 2020 at 10:28 pm

    I know I say the same things over and over, but I can’t help it. I’m just mad about Lady!!! And all the girls, living and passed on. I wish I could kiss them, but I will donate again instead. xoxo xoxo

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