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Muddy Mara and Rana

January 21, 2026

It was early afternoon and all of the elephants were in the process of digesting their breakfasts and taking standing naps–or both. Some of the caregivers were near the barn cleaning the yards and it started to rain fairly hard. Looking out from the barn, the pond in Yard 5 is visible, and, right beside it is a giant dirt pile that the team had recently fluffed up for the girls. 

You can see here that a fully soaked Mara decided to lie down and make herself comfortable in the soon-to-be-mud pile. Rana stands over her in a bit of a protective stance, but with a calm demeanor, seeming mostly interested in mashing up mud with her trunk. Mara scoots around to get extra squishy and tosses some dirt up in small trunkfuls. Eventually, she lifts herself on her elbows so that her belly is sliding in the mud, before sitting almost fully on her bottom. For her part, Rana mostly stands playing in the dirt pile but, once Mara is fully standing, Rana decides to scoot her bum over and rub it along Mara’s face and body. It was a very silly moment–the kind that rainy days tend to encourage around the sanctuary.

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Comments(10)

  1. REPLY
    Stacy Forbes says
    January 21, 2026 at 2:23 pm

    That’s how retirement should be.

  2. REPLY
    Rae says
    January 21, 2026 at 2:25 pm

    Lol, these girls are party animals! Ready for fun any time, any weather. Love them, thanks for sharing 😊

  3. REPLY
    Alida says
    January 21, 2026 at 3:42 pm

    Wonderful video and such a relaxing time for these two special friends, enjoying their sanctuary life ❤️🐘🐘❤️✨ and it doesn’t hurt to have fun along the way, love you girls!💕

  4. REPLY
    Wim says
    January 21, 2026 at 3:52 pm

    Two friends side by side, caring, sharing and guiding each other. 🐘💚🐘

  5. REPLY
    Sue says
    January 21, 2026 at 3:58 pm

    Thank you for sharing this sweet and funny video. Getting to see the Girls when they are feeling silly and goofy is the best! Their ability to enjoy each day’s moments is such a beautiful lesson and I really needed that today 🤗 Hugs and Thank You! ❤️🐘❤️

  6. REPLY
    Barbara L Smith says
    January 21, 2026 at 4:43 pm

    A lazy afternoon relaxing and goofing around with your friend.🥰

  7. REPLY
    Ada says
    January 21, 2026 at 6:42 pm

    Oh my goodness! These two😂They really are enjoying the rain. They are just too adorable for words🥰

  8. REPLY
    Terry says
    January 22, 2026 at 10:38 pm

    It is so nice to see rain, trunks, and squishy girls!!!❤️❤️❤️

  9. REPLY
    Joy Corley says
    January 23, 2026 at 10:39 am

    They are so precious, doing exactly what elephants were meant to do! I’m sure you’ve been in touch with folks in Tennessee…they are about to be hit by a brutal winter storm. Hope staff and all the sanctuary elephants will be safe! Take care!

  10. REPLY
    Johnny says
    January 25, 2026 at 1:06 pm

    Mud fest! Thank you for taking the time to capture it. You guys are the best!

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