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Lady’s First Meeting With Mara

This video was taken yesterday when Lady decided she was interested in Mara and Rana. The initial plan was to do Lady’s foot soaks and then let her into an adjoining yard to let her see Rana and Mara with a fence between them. Lady showed us she was ready for something different, so we listened. After she was done with her foot soaks and went into the second stall, she showed a lot of interest in the smells of stall one, where Rana and Mara had been. As she was smelling through the gate, she let out a soft, deep rumble. With this, we decided to let her into the first stall so she could smell around. Because of her curiosity, we also opened the inside gate of the patio, so she could step out and get a closer look at Mara and Rana in the yard.

After smelling around the stall for a while, Lady walked onto the patio and began sniffing in Mara and Rana’s direction. Lady was comfortable, confident, and even smiley as she did so. Because of what has been typical for her in the past and that she was clearly being more forward and brave, we decided to open up the gate at the end of the patio to see what she wanted to do. The choice was hers; she could back up into the open barn, go into yard one (where Rana and Mara were) or walk into yard two.

Lady took a couple of steps off of the patio and stood watching Rana and Mara for about five minutes. Mara gave a little squeak, and Lady kept on watching. It was quite charming; everyone was calm and relaxed. After a few more minutes, Lady decided she was done staring and quickly stepped into yard two. But she didn’t go very far. She walked a couple of steps into yard two and started eating some hay while continuing to watch the other girls.

All three girls spent the day with access to yards 1, 2, & 3, and towards the end of the day, yard 5 as well. They spent a lot of time about 15 yards apart, quietly watching each other while grazing or dusting. This was huge for Lady because at no point did she run and hide or go somewhere that she could avoid Mara and Rana. And is also excellent in regards to Mara, we all know Rana is great with boundaries and being patient, and it seems Mara is very similar in personality. This will only help Lady’s comfort around other elephants, and maybe watching Mara and Rana together will show her how wonderful friendship can be.

May 22, 2020

Comments(14)

  1. REPLY
    Barb says
    May 22, 2020 at 2:15 pm

    Mara and Rana are ambassadors of friendship for Lady.

  2. REPLY
    Bobi StaySee says
    May 22, 2020 at 2:29 pm

    Oh. my. god. this is so beautiful — the camera pans over her choices as we see somewhat thru her eyes, all that open space and still she chooses social distance. Something inside is learning by observing the naturalness of genuine self-care, evaluating comfort level. When allowed to, trusts her choice. Understanding how confidence builds alongside open choice. To hear how well she’s been caring for her feet is truly priceless–that she responded to the trumpeting vibrations of love and returned to the barn to see for herself what all the happiness is about. She’s been making great use of her solitude!

  3. REPLY
    Rachel says
    May 22, 2020 at 4:11 pm

    What a transformative place. Progress is astounding at times – every positive step awakening what was dimmed: the feeling of safety, of acceptance, of companionship. I feel as if I’m watching something very personal – the healing is evident, each chosen action reaping its own rewards. If not yet ready, the acceptance of that builds confidence. If ready, the acceptance of that builds confidence. Lady needs what Lady needs and is figuring things out in her own time. And she can, because her new home allows her to be herself. My joy is overflowing for these creatures who are fortunate enough to call GSE their home.

  4. REPLY
    Patricia says
    May 22, 2020 at 4:25 pm

    Heaven must be missing a few angels.

  5. REPLY
    Carol Anderson says
    May 22, 2020 at 4:35 pm

    Amen!

  6. REPLY
    Nishant Bhajaria says
    May 22, 2020 at 4:42 pm

    It is so great to see these babies make their own relationships as time passes. So beautiful and so kind!

  7. REPLY
    Debra Moore says
    May 22, 2020 at 4:43 pm

    OH SO proud of Lady! WOW, she IS interested and I bet she will be an eager new friend for both Rana and Mara! Very nice interaction today, Lady. Well done! And the other two are so calm and patient, too.

  8. REPLY
    Elke Riesterer says
    May 22, 2020 at 4:52 pm

    Sweet progress – how beautiful to see the unfolding in a gentle way.

  9. REPLY
    Wim Diepeveen says
    May 22, 2020 at 5:12 pm

    Wonderful footage from the girls. Lady is looking great and acting wise an careful as always. It will be interesting to see who’s going to take the first steps to form the Sisterhood.
    How beautiful to live there in freedom.
    ??????

  10. REPLY
    Patricia says
    May 22, 2020 at 10:22 pm

    Quisiera estar ahí para darles un beso y frotar su cuerpo justo donde está el corazón para decirle que todo lo malo quedó atrás!

    • REPLY
      Carey says
      May 23, 2020 at 3:20 am

      What a lovely thought Patricia.

  11. REPLY
    Carey says
    May 23, 2020 at 3:25 am

    Lady has truly come so far! So! Her curiosity and intelligence overcame her fear and I”m so happy. Slowly , slowly… but this change is really quite rapid considering she hasn’t been with you long.

  12. REPLY
    Sheila says
    May 23, 2020 at 8:36 am

    Oh bravo sweet lil lady❤️?❤️?. Oh did u smell mara that maybe you met formerly? So nice lady had a great distance visit with rana and mara this was excellent enough for now as lady is apprehensive! This us a first time meeting and it appears lady still needs to know! She is safe and will not suffer from another elephant! Im still praying lady will reach out and join mara and rana with maia joining also‼️

  13. REPLY
    Lila says
    May 23, 2020 at 9:58 pm

    Lady… she is so endearing ;))

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