Night Feeds and Old Friends

Mara is eating substantially faster lately, compared to the days when she was feeling more discomfort. For a while, she came back to the barn most evenings for her night feed. Rana and Bambi could hear the four-wheeler coming down the hill at around 10:00 p.m. (22h) and would start heading that way as well. Recently, they’ve all been a little more intermittent with how frequently they show up. We suspected Mara likes coming to the barn because she is fed in the medical chute while the others eat in the yard. She can eat at her own pace without her friends hovering, ready to “help” or look for leftovers.

Previously, it took Mara around an hour and a half for her to eat her meal at night, but now that she is eating at a more normal, healthy rate, it’s faster. She is eating quickly enough that Rana doesn’t always accompany Mara and Bambi to the barn. Rana is a bit lazy sometimes. If Bambi calls for her, she will still come (most of the time), but more and more frequently, Rana decides to wait where she is for the others to return. We like to allow the elephants to choose where they spend their time, so on the nights Rana doesn’t come, we still find her and share some food with her.

On a recent night, when we went to find Rana, she was hanging out in Yard 4 near the water trough shared with Yard 3. Lady was nearby. The two were on opposite sides of the fence, but still spending time together. We aren’t sure what happened before or after Mara and Bambi went to the barn. Regardless, it’s nice that the two chose to spend some time together, with Lady being social in her own way.

Photo of Rana

Comments(12)

Nancy Shaw says
April 6, 2021 at 3:54 pm
YEA !
Sue says
April 6, 2021 at 4:18 pm
Such wonderful news about Mara! I am glad she is eating a little faster and also eating more in general. I have never had that issue, so I find it fascinating that she is such a stickler ?especially on medicine! She is adorable. And thank you for the photo of Sweet Rana with her fuzzy head! Glad she and Lady had a little time together! Love and hugs to all!!! ❤️?❤️
Cintia Abney says
April 6, 2021 at 4:22 pm
Rana is looking do beautiful ❤️❤️ She knows she will get room service ?
Carey says
April 6, 2021 at 4:22 pm
Very happy to hear that Mara is eating well and faster, ??
Lori Hoover says
April 6, 2021 at 4:57 pm
Aww, that is our Sweet Rana, a little laziness, but more importantly, a little time for Lil Lady. I don’t know why I should be surprised at Rana’s big heart, but just when I think she can’t surprise me……………..she does.
marion weber says
April 6, 2021 at 6:00 pm
Delighted with Mara’s eating improvement and her feeling so much better! Having the ladies so food motivated is definitely a blessing!
Beji says
April 6, 2021 at 6:04 pm
Rana is just gorgeous!
SHEILA says
April 6, 2021 at 7:37 pm
OH YES MZ MARA ?FEELIN BETTER! MAYBE SHE PASSED ALL THE GAS BUILDUP OR ITEM STUCK.? JUST GREAT SHES EATING FASTER AND ENJOYING HER LIFE BETTER! BAMBI ?SEEMS TO HAVE BECOME HER BFF?BUT RANA IS I THINK MARAS REAL SPECIAL?. WELL AT TIMES BAMBI IS TOO LOUD SO RANA ?TAKES A BREAK! WE KNOW RANA REALLY WAS TRYING FOR SO LONG TO BEFRIEND ?LADY WHEN LADY ARRIVED, SO IM SURE RANA IS CONTINUING TO TALK ?WITH LADY TO COMFORT HER? IM PRAYING VERY SOON LADY IS GOING TO LOOK TO RANA AS A BFF?
❓CAN RANA BE PUT IN SMALLER YARD WITH LADY TO SEE HOW THINGS PROGRESS WITH STAFF OBSERVING❓
- REPLY
  Sara says
  April 6, 2021 at 8:45 pm
  For the most part, Lady has access to the same yards that the other girls do. She just chooses to spend a good bit of her time on her own, although that is changing in small ways. She doesn’t show any signs of being unhealthy or unhappy. Because she is content, we don’t see any reason to force relationships on her that she doesn’t seem to want. As always, all of our girls grow and heal at their own paces. Lady may always want to spend time to herself, but that’s part of the beauty of sanctuary – giving each elephant freedom to make her own choice.
Patricia says
April 6, 2021 at 8:40 pm
These girls are so wonderful I could just burst! ???
John says
April 7, 2021 at 1:52 pm
Looking at the picture of Rana, is that the tip of her “sticky-outty” tail we see behind? How cute!
- REPLY
  Sara says
  April 7, 2021 at 2:22 pm
  yes – that is the tip of her fuzzy tail.

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