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Pocha, Guille, and Rana At the Mud Wallow

Guillermina and Pocha have been showing an increased interest in interacting with the other elephants at the sanctuary, to different degrees. After their last encounter with Bambi, Mara, and Rana, Pocha spent the following evening searching for them along the fence line. So, when we found Rana in Yard 4, somewhat near Pocha and Guillermina, we thought we would encourage more interaction among the three. 

Rana can be passive when it comes to introductions, so it was a fairly easy decision to support the three of them sharing space. She had access to Yards 2 and 3, while Pocha and Guille were in Yard 1. They saw her and walked down along the common fence; there was some initial excitement and a bit of touching – and then the two girls seemed to lose interest in Rana. This seems to be their approach to meeting new elephants: anticipation, excitement, interaction, and then they get a little bored or overstimulated and walk away. 

As the day went on, Pocha and Guillermina went to play in the mud wallow, and were shortly followed by Rana. Both girls seemed to enjoy the company and played for a little while at the dirt pile. The energy was light and positive, but there was not much physical touching. At one point, Guille seemed to be trying to walk backward in a circle around Rana but, once she got into the mud wallow, kept sliding back in – so she had to walk out forward. Pocha came over at that point and the three shared some playful energy. 

Most meetings are initiated by Pocha, but Guillermina tends to engage more once the connection has been made. Mother and daughter have very different personalities, with Pocha being submissive and Guille being more dominant. Though there were moments during their time together when Rana seemed somewhat unsure of the contrast in their energy, her passiveness was a good match for their sometimes-fluctuating spirits. At times, introductions are fairly uneventful – and that can often be a good thing. As the two elephants continue to interact with the other elephants, their relationship with one another may shift, as their senses of self evolve. 

Comments(18)

  1. REPLY
    Melinda says

    So awesome that they are interacting peacefully with the other ellies!

  2. REPLY
    Kayle says

    This touched my heart on so many levels and for so many reasons. Thank you ever so much for taking the time to share this video.

  3. REPLY
    Laura says

    Guillermina’s front legs are strong! She may become our athlete yet!

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      She still has quite a bit of muscle to build, even though she is chubby. More movement will help with that for sure.

  4. REPLY
    Barb says

    Absolutely stunning to see the three girls sharing time and mud! WooHoo!

  5. REPLY
    Katherine says

    Rana has great presence, calm, reassuring and patient- just what P and G need.

  6. REPLY
    Diane Duckworth says

    Oh wow so great they are getting along so well 😊
    I hope all the girls get along that great

  7. REPLY
    elaine richard says

    The mud and grass must feel great on their poor feet … to say nothing of on all the rest of them!

  8. REPLY
    Sheila says

    Oh THANK YOU FOR UPDATE. IM SO HAPPY RANA MZ MATRIARCH GO A MORE CLOSE UP INTRO TO BOTH LADIES. IM JUST WONDERING IF RANA IS LOOKING TO TEACH ABIT BOSSY GUILLE TO OTHER LADIES SO GUILLE LEARNS ELEPHANT LIFE. SO SO WONDERFUL THE 3 ALL HAD A MUDD POND PARTY

  9. REPLY
    Patricia says

    OMG, they are so wonderful and they mean so much to me! I have so much gratitude to ESB for bringing these girls into my life. It sure is beautiful there. So much love and many, many blessings to all the girls and to the humans and to the doggies and every other living thing there. Hugs to all!

  10. REPLY
    Alana says

    I think Rana might be Mayor of Elephantville, Brazil

  11. REPLY
    Zoi Flores says

    So happy to see these three girls having fun together!..,, I wonder if Rana Bug will take Guille under her wing.

  12. REPLY
    Beci says

    It is so wonderful to see them living a happy existence and mentally they seem to be doing fairly well. What an adjustment from cement to all the area they want to roam and other elephants. How do they get along with their human caregivers? Have they ever showed anger towards any humans there are do you feel they sense you all are who saved them and are just loving towards them?

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      They seem to do well with the humans around them and haven’t shown anger. Mostly they are still learning what it means to be in this new space, so they have a lot to figure out.

  13. REPLY
    Rachel says

    Alana’s comment made me smile. Yep, Rana for Mayor is my vote. Exciting news and yet, Rana being the first to share space with mom and daughter doesn’t surprise me. Pocha is a rockstar mom though! 💝

  14. REPLY
    John says

    I think my head is exploding with joy. Could you guys just cool it for a few days please? Thanks!………….. kidding.

  15. REPLY
    Anita J says

    That was amazing to see! Slowly but surely our girls are being welcomed and embraced to the fold of current residents little herd! It is truly unreal how Maia and now Rana chose to spent some time with them one on one. I think they know that the whole crowd of four maybe a bit overwhelming for our new comers! And somehow, I feel, those gatherings and meetings between the girls was all about how to approach P & G without sending them to full flight. I am sure their vocalisations told them everything they needed to know where those two had been before. There was too much excitement and craziness not to guess these two were full of wonder and joy about everything since their arrival. We are not the only once to know our beloved girls need a gentle approach! Thank you for sharing! Awaiting more with great anticipation…xoxoxox

  16. REPLY
    Beth says

    Thank you sooo very much fir sharing such detail and these great video moments. My heart just dilated with joy watching them enjoy life.

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