Rana, Bambi, and Mara: The Wanderers

Rana has been spending more time a bit off to the side recently. We suspect it’s at least partially due to boredom and partially food motivation.

Bambi is very focused on Mara right now so they are “two peas in a pod.” They will spend two hours in the mud wallow splashing and then go directly to the pond where they spend two more hours splashing. Rana enjoys those activities as well, but she also embraces other aspects of the sanctuary.

When Mara and Bambi stay in one location for too long, Rana seems to get bored and walks away. She generally doesn’t go too far – just a few hundred yards or meters away. She’ll wander as she grazes instead of standing in one spot and grazing like Mara and Bambi tend to do. Since they frequent and thin out the same grassy spots fairly often, they have to step away a bit for premium grazing.

Bambi appears content to stand still and watch Mara for indefinite periods of time. When Bambi seems to get bored watching Mara, she will walk across the field over to Rana. There the two usually have a mini-party and act a little silly. Sometimes, when they are having a celebration, Mara will decide to walk over and join; other times, she stays right where she is.

This setup seems to work well for their very individual personalities and gives everyone a bit of a break when they need it. Sometimes Rana will wander a bit further from them, but she is always within listening distance – especially with Bambi’s deep rumbles. A reunion is just a call away.

Comments(17)

Kelejan says
March 11, 2021 at 2:38 pm
I love reading of these little doings of the elephants. Much more interesting than watching elephants in a zoo. They actually living, not existing.
Victoria B says
March 11, 2021 at 2:51 pm
The picture made me think of that Johnny Cash song “How high’s the water, Momma?”
Bill Simpson says
March 11, 2021 at 3:22 pm
I can hardly wait until there more elephants in this loose herd. I really enjoy their saga.
John says
March 11, 2021 at 3:27 pm
How do you know when an elephant is bored?
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  sara says
  March 11, 2021 at 4:09 pm
  It is really different for each elephant. Sometimes we see a hint of the behaviors they displayed in captivity. But mostly, their boredom just means they are ready to go and do something new.
SHEILA says
March 11, 2021 at 3:30 pm
YES! I THINK RANA ? HAS NEEDED A BREAK FROM ?MARA WHO WAS TOTALLY A LOVELY CLING ON TO RANA! YES RANA WELCOMED THIS TOO! BUT RANA CERTAINLY LOVES ❤️?BAMBI ALSO AND SO THIS ROUTINE THE 3 GALS HAVE JOINING! AND WANDERING IS GREAT FOR ALL‼️
Julie says
March 11, 2021 at 3:43 pm
What a beautiful little elephant world! Thank you for the nice post!
bo says
March 11, 2021 at 4:29 pm
…boredom or not, in this case, i’m quite sure it is stress-free boredom and so a good kind of boredom 🙂
not from being locked up or whatever extremely wrong situation animals can find themselves in.
no idea what being bored feels like though but again, as long as it doesn’t cause or triggers stress, all good, all good.
Suzanne Eaton says
March 11, 2021 at 8:14 pm
Our girls are thriving instead of simply surviving. Love to hear about them interacting together. Beautiful souls.
Sallie says
March 11, 2021 at 11:57 pm
Remember High School? Three girls were always a crowd! The new green face of Jealousy! But we worked it out, based on individual interests and a fear to lose a friend. They will work it out . . . Being busy, sorting things out, when it comes to yummy treats and tasty basics . . .
fernande poitras says
March 12, 2021 at 1:52 pm
certain que c est plus beau et souvent plus drôle de voir les éléphants du Sanctuaire que ces malheureux dans les zoos moi j aime bien vos récits et vos photos
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  Kat Blais says
  March 12, 2021 at 2:19 pm
  merci
Katie Howard says
March 13, 2021 at 11:56 am
C’est vrais!
Katie Howard says
March 13, 2021 at 12:02 pm
I understand Lady is (for now, at least), a loner. But Ms Maia is not and I worry that she doesn’t have a “bestie” right now. I thought for awhile she and Rana would have that mutual role, but Rana is the social glue for Sanctuary and new elephants obviously seek her out which leaves Maia…still without Guida and without a best friend.
So glad Bambi and Mara are sorting things out!
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  Kat Blais says
  March 13, 2021 at 1:19 pm
  Rana is actually in yard 5 with Maia today while the other two are in 4. We try to make sure Maia has company if she seems interested. There may come a day where someone comes to sanctuary and she decides they are the ones for her. Time will tell.
Kelejan says
March 15, 2021 at 3:10 pm
Sally says. . . Even three grown up human girls have the same problem. three is always a crowd and causes problem for the third.
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  sara says
  March 15, 2021 at 3:18 pm
  Ha! Well, elephants are used to living in herds, so we hope that things will work themselves out in their own time.

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