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)

Melinda says
June 1, 2022 at 2:15 pm
So awesome that they are interacting peacefully with the other ellies!
Kayle says
June 1, 2022 at 2:17 pm
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.
Laura says
June 1, 2022 at 2:20 pm
Guillermina’s front legs are strong! She may become our athlete yet!
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  Sara says
  June 1, 2022 at 2:26 pm
  She still has quite a bit of muscle to build, even though she is chubby. More movement will help with that for sure.
Barb says
June 1, 2022 at 2:55 pm
Absolutely stunning to see the three girls sharing time and mud! WooHoo!
Katherine says
June 1, 2022 at 2:56 pm
Rana has great presence, calm, reassuring and patient- just what P and G need.
Diane Duckworth says
June 1, 2022 at 3:11 pm
Oh wow so great they are getting along so well 😊
I hope all the girls get along that great
elaine richard says
June 1, 2022 at 4:58 pm
The mud and grass must feel great on their poor feet … to say nothing of on all the rest of them!
Sheila says
June 1, 2022 at 5:26 pm
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
Patricia says
June 1, 2022 at 6:27 pm
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!
Alana says
June 1, 2022 at 6:59 pm
I think Rana might be Mayor of Elephantville, Brazil
Zoi Flores says
June 1, 2022 at 7:24 pm
So happy to see these three girls having fun together!..,, I wonder if Rana Bug will take Guille under her wing.
Beci says
June 1, 2022 at 10:26 pm
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?
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  Sara says
  June 2, 2022 at 1:12 pm
  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.
Rachel says
June 2, 2022 at 8:59 am
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! 💝
John says
June 2, 2022 at 3:11 pm
I think my head is exploding with joy. Could you guys just cool it for a few days please? Thanks!………….. kidding.
Anita J says
June 2, 2022 at 8:53 pm
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
Beth says
June 3, 2022 at 7:05 pm
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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