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Mara’s Party Where Bambi Listens

June 17, 2025

Listen carefully for the vocalizations in this video!

Mara had a solo party this week, and the whole sanctuary probably heard it. It was after breakfast when she and Rana were getting ready for treatment, and Mara started to play in a dirt mound. She was kneeling on the ground, smooshing her head and trunk in the dirt, and sometimes seeming almost like she was going to stand on her front feet–lifting one of her back feet and pushing herself up. She was quiet while doing this, so the caregivers continued Rana’s treatment, all the while keeping an eye on Mara. 

After some time like this, Mara rushed through the yard and over to a bush, pushing it around and being silly. She was digging and running in circles, as speedy as a spry grandma can go. At some point, she began vocalizing and Rana answered back. After that, the caregivers opened up a few gates to help them meet in the same yard again, and they had a mini-party, just the two of them. 

In another yard, Bambi, Maia, and Guille were finishing their hay from breakfast and heard the commotion from Mara. Guille started to walk in that direction, but eventually stopped and stayed near her friends. Bambi would take breaks from eating and listen to Mara, rumbling back from time to time. It’s interesting to watch Bambi’s body language as she hears and responds to Mara. She’s standing side-by-side with Maia, completely touching bellies with her, seemingly as a form of comfort. When Maia even shifts her weight a little, Bambi moves alongside her and eventually touches Maia with her trunk. Bambi is definitely leaning on Maia both literally and figuratively as she processes her feelings about Mara. 

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Comments(9)

  1. REPLY
    Johnny says
    June 17, 2025 at 2:54 pm

    Love it. Too bad we don’t get “thought bubbles” over their heads. I know, I know. That’s just silly! Well, if Mara can be silly, so can I.

    Besides, GSE staff has too much dignity to resort to that. I guess I’ll have to come up with my own. 😉

  2. REPLY
    Sue says
    June 17, 2025 at 2:56 pm

    Sweet Bambi, processing feelings can be a challenge for all of us and I am so glad you have Miss Maia by your side to lean on. Priceless. Thank you another wonderful video. I love seeing the girls anytime along with your thoughts and observations! ❤️🐘❤️

  3. REPLY
    Sue says
    June 17, 2025 at 3:00 pm

    P.S. I was amazed at how loud the vocalizations were and that I could hear them so clearly, even the rumbles! Amazing! Do you think that Pupy heard them as well? Thank you!

    • REPLY
      Sara says
      June 17, 2025 at 3:53 pm

      It’s very possible that Pupy did hear them, but it’s hard to know since the caregivers weren’t there at that time. I guess it will have to be a mystery!

  4. REPLY
    Elizabeth says
    June 17, 2025 at 5:17 pm

    I am dying to know what goes on in those big giant brains! Whatever it is, is far more interesting than what goes on in mine.

  5. REPLY
    Julie says
    June 17, 2025 at 5:30 pm

    Oh, yeah, those wheels are turning in Bambi’s very soul. I’m so glad Maia is there to support her. The sound of the video is also very interesting; I bet you could sell this to someone in Hollywood to use for a soundtrack. We gotta feed those elephants, right?

  6. REPLY
    Doe Fowler says
    June 17, 2025 at 7:01 pm

    Special moment in time! The sounds of nature… birds chirping, elephants talking by way of toots, trumpets, and rumbles. The vibrations are felt (for real!) through the cell phone over 3,000 miles away. 🐘 are amazing, wonderful souls to treasure. 💕

  7. REPLY
    Bonnie says
    June 17, 2025 at 9:24 pm

    It’s amazing how they communicate that was something I wonder what their saying

  8. REPLY
    Terry says
    June 17, 2025 at 11:16 pm

    Wow! She was super vocal! Bambi was certainly taking it all in while staying with her confidant and friend!

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