Mornings with Rana

Bambi has been enjoying mornings with Rana the past few days.

After everyone finishes breakfast, we open up for the two to share space while Mara gets her second breakfast. This scenario allows Mara to enjoy her bonus breakfast at her leisure, without a best friend to “help” her eat it. It enables Bambi and Rana to spend time together while Mara is occupied elsewhere. It’s been happening most mornings, and it seems to benefit everyone.

It is slowing Bambi’s excitement level a bit to share space with another elephant every day. She still makes all of her excited noises, but Rana just takes it in stride, and Bambi quickly calms down.

Rana, of course, is pretty much the perfect elephant for this. When Bambi spent time with Mara, there seemed to be constant vocalizing, touching, and excitement. When Rana and Bambi share space, there’s a lot more quiet time, but in a sweet way. It reminds us of hanging out with an old friend when you can sit in silence and simply enjoy each other’s company. They will quietly graze with their rears touching. It has the feeling of “just be.” Bambi still is obvious in her preference of Mara to Rana. While Mara is certainly teaching Bambi about etiquette, Rana is teaching Bambi some important lessons too. Rana seems to be teaching Bambi emotional balance and growing as part of a herd.

Rana also is incredibly patient. Bambi can touch her and be a little bit of the “annoying little sister” without Rana seeming to mind. She is the most grounded, tolerant, and patient elephant here. She seems to accept each elephant for who they are, without expectations, and Bambi relaxes around her.

Comments(15)

Debbie Sides says
December 7, 2020 at 4:49 pm
Rana seems like Ronnie at TES. The tie that binds. Bless them all. Each amazing is in their own way.
FRANCINE FORD says
December 7, 2020 at 4:54 pm
Ok GG’s (Golden Girls), it’s time to play musical ellies; Mara, you go there, Bambi & Rana you ladies go here…
Sounds like y’all are getting it down to a science. Rana gets Bambi to land & chill & Mara gets her own much needed breakfast.
Y’all are AWESOME on getting things just right so everyone’s special needs get met.
❤?❤?❤?❤?❤?
Kelejan says
December 7, 2020 at 5:13 pm
As usual, your wonderful commentaries are so heartwarming, you treat each elephant as a separate being and pander to all their differences.
Wim says
December 7, 2020 at 5:14 pm
Yes giant minds think alike is the message here. Lovely development they’ve found each other and grow in many ways. ????
Lila says
December 7, 2020 at 5:18 pm
Rana is the best thing ever!!!! My heart melts for her.
SHEILA says
December 7, 2020 at 5:27 pm
AAHH VERY NICE TO HEAR RANA? IS SPENDING TIME WITH EXHUBERANT? BAMBI❗️I BELIEVE RANA IS THE MATRIARCH NOT JUST BECAUSE SHES THE ELDEST LADY BUT BE AUSE SHES VERY CALM AND UNFLAPPABLE!! RANA HAS BEEN SO GRATEFUL SINCE SHE STEPPED OUT OF THE CRATE AND KNEW IT WAS NOT ANOTHER ZOO OR CIRCUS EVENT‼️ I WAS WONDERING IF MAIA ?LIKES BAMBI TO HANG WITH?? IS BAMBI STILL TRYING TO TALK TO LIL ?LADY❓ I JUST WISH ALL THES LADIES WOULD HERD UP AND. FOLLOW RANAS CALM ENDEARING LEADERSHIP! FUNNY HOW THEY HAVE A LOVELY CALM JUNGLE LIFE YET THE LADIES LITTLE ACTIONS CAN BOTHER SOME OF THE GALS!! I LOVE THAT BIG GIRL BAMBI! SHES SO CHATTY AND LOVING YET SHE SEEM TO IRRITATE OTHER LADIES❓I FEEL SO BAD FOR HER! IM PRAYING ?THESE 5 LOVELY LADIES CAN COME TOGETHER BEFORE POCHA AND GUILLERMINA COME AS THESE LADIES WILL NEED MENTORING ?
Nancy Shaw says
December 7, 2020 at 5:34 pm
This post made ME feel good. 🙂
janet stone says
December 7, 2020 at 6:41 pm
Its just so nice to read a happy post of elephants…read so many sad stories that it warms your heart to see some in a happy place after so long…..again Thank You for being there for them all….
Linda says
December 7, 2020 at 7:22 pm
Isn’t it amazing that Rana should grow into the patient matriarch she is now. I remember the over-eager newcomer who also had to learn the ropes 🙂
bo says
December 8, 2020 at 12:29 am
Zen time with Rana!
Every elephant can benefit from Rana’s company, I’m sure.
And she is an example for a lot of humans to show how you treat others, how you get along with each other without a struggle or a conflict situation.
ALL elephants are special in their own special way of course.
Nice to learn she has developed into such a <> a patiënt matriarch.
Sallie says
December 8, 2020 at 2:22 am
LOVE THE PHOTO! Makes me feel at ease and happy for both Bambi and Rana, enjoying each other’s company without pressure to be The Best of the Duo! They both complement each other nicely. They are happily becoming Best Buds! YIPPEE!
Barb says
December 8, 2020 at 12:39 pm
Very comforting update! Thank you for sharing these moments.
Rosie P says
December 9, 2020 at 2:48 am
I feel mellow and happy reading this post. Rana, our beautiful, gentle matriarch, the peacemaker. Our ladies have such varied and complex characters and each amazing in their own unique way. It will be exciting to see what effect the arrival of Pocha and Guillermina with have on the herd. Who will make friends first and who will be the mediator. I think we already know the answer!
Carey says
December 9, 2020 at 3:22 pm
I share Linda’s comment about how much Rana has changed, how lovely that she is so grounded and patient. Is Bambi putting on weight? She still looks thin.
- REPLY
  Kat Blais says
  December 9, 2020 at 7:41 pm
  Yes, Bambi is putting on weight in a paced and healthy way.

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