Rana and Mara Have a Chat

It was morning and Rana and Mara were in the yards close to the barn, both having had treatment sessions. Rana stuck close by, while Mara wandered off into Yard 3 for some fresh grazing. Rana had just gotten plenty of treats during her foot trimming session, but she still decided to ask Scott for snacks. She does this sometimes, perhaps just to see who she might convince to give her a few extra bites. It doesn’t hurt to try, we suppose.

Fortunately, Mara was there to remind her that friends are more important than food at times like this. As Mara walked closer, Rana began to vocalize and, in turn, Mara started to squeak. Though the two hadn’t been apart for very long, they had a nice little reunion and were very loving with one another. Little moments like these, where two friends talk to each other in sweet, familiar ways, are perfect reminders of the bonds that can grow between elephants at sanctuary. In nature, elephants who spend time together are often related. In a sanctuary environment, friendships form and those relationships can be as significant as that of a relative, when it comes to healing. Captive elephants may not walk the same paths as their wild counterparts, but the attachments they form with one another can be equally as significant.

Comments(10)

Sandy Crile says
December 12, 2024 at 2:16 pm

This is so sweet! If I were there I would have a hard time NOT giving Rana a snack every time she “asked”. Refresh my memory: which elephant while at a park or a zoo threw things at the caregivers to attempt to get treats?
- REPLY
  Sara says
  December 12, 2024 at 3:01 pm
  
  Kenya is the elephant who gets treats when she throws things. But her keepers mostly give her snacks to stop her from throwing things. 😂 She eventually learned that she got rewarded for doing it.
June Ross says
December 12, 2024 at 2:30 pm

The two of them are funny and delightful! Thank you for sharing.
Meredith Leonard says
December 12, 2024 at 2:49 pm

How did/do their ears become so ragged?
- REPLY
  Sara says
  December 12, 2024 at 2:52 pm
  
  Any number of reasons. It could be natural, from human interaction, or sometimes they just get snagged on trees or bushes. Their ears are very thin.
  - Meredith says
    December 13, 2024 at 3:58 pm
    
    Thank you, Sara.
Kenneth B. Newman says
December 12, 2024 at 3:06 pm

ITS NICE HEAR THT THESE ELEPHANTS ARE SO CLOSE TO ONE ANOTHER…….NOW WHEN WILL WE HEAR ABOUT THE RESCUE PLAN/ AND THE FUTURE TIME FOR THOSE AFRICAN ELEPHANTS IN THE ZOO WHO ARE ON THE SHORT LIST TO COME TO GSE???? AND WHAT ABOUT GUILLE’S DAD, STUCK IN THAT MUD PIT IN MENDOZA……????
- REPLY
  Sara says
  December 12, 2024 at 3:10 pm
  
  Now that we have the permits, we send the transport crates to Kenya and Pupy for them to start working with. Both will require blood tests and a few other things before they can be moved. But the process has started. Tamy is still working on the training process in Mendoza, but he’s in musth right now, and they can’t do additional training until that’s over.
Julie says
December 12, 2024 at 10:25 pm

This is so beautiful. I wish I had a friendship that close! Thanks for sharing and giving us a view into the intimacy you’ve allowed at sanctuary.
Patricia says
December 13, 2024 at 12:01 pm

I too would have a very hard time saying no to these precious girls! 💞💖💞

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