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Ramba and Rana Trunk Tag

Rana and Ramba continue to play games of trunk tag without touching, but it’s ridiculously charming. Mostly because of the sweet faces they are making throughout. Rana is so excited to be close but is being really respectful of not pushing things. Ramba is putting herself in vulnerable positions, like in this video, which shows she is playing an active role in all of this, although she is still reluctant to touch. Ramba is the one who walked behind Rana to squeeze into the little space she is standing. They did have some tail touching and some belly touching during this interaction, but not trunk touching. Ramba is also rumbling back to Rana (who has been almost endlessly rumbling when they interact) and making cheeky grinning faces when she does it. Honestly, it’s ridiculous how cute they are together.

One of the blessings with this trip has been having Ramba’s caregivers from Chile here. We know sanctuary transforms elephants almost immediately, even when the healing journey is long. And her caregivers know this, but it’s different when you see it. Especially with an elephant you have a relationship with. They are amazed at how different she is already, her face, her spirit, her attitude, it has all already morphed. We were laughing because Ramba almost always goes inside when it rains in Chile and doesn’t come out of the barn. Here she has been standing in the middle of storms, sometimes napping, other times dusting or playing in the mud wallow. Her caregivers are even excited about how much better her dung looks. Just a few days and already so many changes.

Maia is still close but hasn’t come back to the barn. The gates are open for her to return, but she seems content wandering on her own. Yesterday we saw her smelling in the direction of the barn, so she is definitely aware, but hasn’t chosen to be part of things yet. This is her choice and it’s ok. She will come when she is ready. She won’t have access directly in with Rana and Ramba, but will be in a connected yard with a shared fence line. Since Ramba isn’t completely comfortable with one elephant yet, we don’t want to add another one to the mix without knowing that Ramba is ready.

There are a lot of happy hearts here at Elephant Sanctuary Brazil. Physically, Ramba already looks better than we could have imagined. She looks much stronger than she did when Scott arrived in Chile. Her energy is much better, she holds her head higher, and her emotional facial expressions are to die for. We haven’t seen this in her ever. She still has a ton of growth ahead of her, but the improvement in just a few days is simply stunning. Rescues always end up being a reminder of just how remarkable elephants are and Ramba is no exception.

PS- we have no power, so no internet at the barn. It has been like that all day, we are hoping tomorrow will be different and we can try some more live feeds.

PPS- the girls are actually just outside of the barn. They’re not closed in together and walked away to explore shortly after that. 

October 21, 2019

 

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Comments(8)

  1. REPLY
    Kelejan says

    It get better every time I log on. Wonderful.

  2. REPLY
    Sheila says

    OH HOW LOVELY IT IS TO SEE RAMBA AND RANA CHATTING !! NOT MUCH TOUCHING BUT I THINK THEY R BUILDING TRUST???❤️??AND I PRAY THESE TWO LADIES DO BECOME CLOSE! AND MAIA SEEMS TO BE STILL ??GREIVING ! SHE WAS BERY CLOS E TO GUIDA! I SURE HOPE WITH THE LITTLE VISIT NEAR BARN LAST NIGHT. IS A GREAT SIGN SHES LOOKING TO SEE WHO NEW LADY IS?? MAIA WILL COME AROUND! SHES JUST CHECKING OUT LADY RAMBA FROM AFAR??

  3. REPLY
    Gramma Tammy says

    Great news now I just hope Maia gets involved real soon with the girls and allows herself to open up and have some elefun since she lost her close friend Guida! Thank you and God Bless you all!

  4. REPLY
    Sherry says

    Bless their hearts. They are being cautious, careful, and intimated by each other. Everything will work out in the end. It is
    interesting to watch how all of this, learning about each other is taking place.

  5. REPLY
    Susan says

    This made my day. Thank you for the wonderful post. I love reading them! Sending Love and Hugs to all!! ❤️?❤️?❤️?❤️??????. Ramba in the rain! Napping!! I love it!!!!!

  6. REPLY
    catherine says

    clearly it was worth every dollar and every hour and the every effort to get Ramba to Brazil! All the people who made it happen are saints and heroes!

  7. REPLY
    Lila Nieto says

    So lovely!!! Endless thanks for this project, endless joy to watch them and to know how well they are, how much they improve so fast, and how far their loneliness and suffering is. Just LOVELY.

  8. REPLY
    Carey says

    Absolutely brilliant! Elephants really are remarkable. It would be great if Ramba and Rana become buddies, and Maia – when she is ready. I’m also so glad that Ramba’s caregivers are there to see this transformation

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