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Rana, Mara, and Bambi’s Rumble Party

Bambi, Mara, and Rana are now sharing space. We first opened up between them while everyone was inside the barn. Bambi was in Stall 1 while Mara and Rana were in Stall 2. The three had been very vocal all day, but they became very quiet once they were all in a stall together. Bambi briefly stepped outside for a few minutes, presumably to take some space. After 2-3 minutes, she re-entered the barn, and at that point, the vocalizations began.

Mara makes a squeaky “errr” noise, which you can hear a few times in the video. Bambi loves that noise and is very responsive to it. She usually comes over and trumpets, and it seems to be her favorite thing. The three seem to cycle through the same pattern – they are noisy and silly, with head shaking and ear flapping, followed by a few minutes of calm. Then they start again.

At one point, Mara left the barn, and Bambi followed. Bambi tends to be speedy, so she followed very quickly. Rana had to follow them, of course. They spent some time outside, but overall, they preferred the barn’s shade during the day as it continues to be very hot. After dark, their preference seems to be outside.

They are spending a lot of time together but are still walking away at some points. It’s vital that Bambi can walk away for any reason at any time. If she feels overwhelmed or wants to take some time out to process, she can step away without being followed or chased. She can decide when and how she wants to return to socializing. It seems so simple, but it is something that she didn’t have in her life previously. Her understanding of her ability to walk away helps her trust level in terms of interactions with other elephants; it helps her feel safe.

Everyone seems to be doing well. We separated Bambi from Mara and Rana last night at around 10:30 pm to ensure that everyone had an opportunity to rest. We will eventually allow them unrestricted access. This morning, they were in good spirits and happy to share space again.

The video begins with an early interaction, inside the barn, followed by two clips outside, a little calmer, but still generally excited by life. A vital part of sanctuary is choice. It already looks likely these three will continue choosing to spend their time together for the foreseeable future. They are certainly not a quiet bunch, regardless of where they are or what they are doing.

October 6, 2020

Comments(26)

  1. REPLY
    Lynne Russert says

    I’m super happy with how Bambi is progressing so rapidly & being so comfortable so fast. Indeed a very special lady!! Glad she now has sisters to hang out with!!??

  2. REPLY
    Alejandra(Sandy)Enquin says

    Dios las cria y ellas se juntan!! Yo sabia intuia que Mara Rana y Bambi se iban a enganchar,senti que Mara y Bambi son muy parecidas,juguetonas,mimosonas y les gusta la fiesta y Rana mas tranquila pero es el alma gemela de Marita asi que las tres son polvorita‼️??que hermosa batucada de chirridos y trompetas chicas!!!como se comunican y manifiestan du bienestar,cuanta ecpresividad quizas Marota y Bambi hablan un mismo dialecto?????

  3. REPLY
    Maria Villa says

    So wonderful. Que emocion! I stayed up, most of the night, watching all of their arrival videos, speaking out good words of peace & light over each one, now, I woke up and was thrilled to see this newest up-date video. The trip bringing Bambi to Sanctuary, the process, for me, was very stressful, and of course I am nobody, did not do the work, was a scaredy-cat the whole way through, hanging on to the “edge of my seat,” each mile seemed an eternity in my heart. , I really did not relax until the moment she stuck her head in the dirt-pile, shortly after she walked through the re-birthing canal, that space in between the crate and her new stall. As a side-note, today I see her forehead, again, looking clearer, those bumps are truly dissipating, I am so excited for her to do more mudding and bathing, scratching. Perhaps we will be blessed to see them swimming in the pond sooner than later. I love that Bambi feels empowered to ” go in and come back” to her Barn, and seemingly, from her reports, she has done this often, this is a little bit of Heaven on earth.

  4. REPLY
    Elizabeth MacIntosh says

    Incredibly heartwarming to see this big step! Hoping it’s the beginning of a new and expanded sisterhood at Sanctuary and they continue to explore and enjoy each other’s company. Appreciate GSE’s insightful commentary too about what’s going on and how you’re helping them nurture their new friendships safely and without pressure!

  5. REPLY
    Nancy Shaw says

    ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL !!

  6. REPLY
    PAMELA LEWIS says

    So wonderful to see (and hear)!

  7. REPLY
    Heidi says

    This is so heartwarming! Watching the elephants every day really lifts my spirits!

  8. REPLY
    Bonnie says

    Loved the words at end saying “They are certainly not a quiet bunch.” 🙂 So glad the three are liking being together after Bambi being alone! You all are top-notch people, and I thank my niece again for recently telling me about GSE!!!!

  9. REPLY
    Cristina Ortellado says

    Gracias, gracias infinitas por poder ver a estas hermosas chicas interactuando. Que felicidad que puedan estar juntas y disfrutar su libertad.

  10. REPLY
    Debbie Sides says

    This is absolutely marvelous! I love that these three “little” ones are getting acquainted. I hope one day, Lady feels comfortable enough to join the herd. Maybe Maia will be a mother figure to her.

  11. REPLY
    JoAnn Merriman Eaton says

    The noisy threesome!! Music to all of our ears, and such progress in a few days. This all attributed to patience and love from GSE.

  12. REPLY
    arie says

    Finally we know the lyrics of the song Mara, Rana and Bambi have been singing since yesterday:
    “?Will someone please open the gate!?”

    ?❤️

  13. REPLY
    Bo says

    The love between the sisters keeps on growing it seems, oh, it is just …
    Too cute to describe.
    They have to invent more words to describe all the emotions and love we feel for elephants I think.

    • REPLY
      Wim says

      Wonderful to watch these rumbling party girls.
      They must have much to share and probably gossip all the time. You wouldn’t say BAMBI is a new arrival she looks really at home already.
      ?????

  14. REPLY
    Julie says

    You’re right! Bambi does really listen to that errrr sound and react very strongly. I love that she’s getting new and positive experiences at GES. She gets to really live!

  15. REPLY
    AudreyD says

    How is Bambi coping with being blind in one eye & getting around this huge place?
    It’s awesome that all these ladies are getting on so well. I’m very happy.

    • REPLY
      Kat Blais says

      it doesn’t seem to affect her significantly. we believe she may be able to see at least shadows because she doesn’t respond in a way that you would anticipate with no vision on that side. she seems to be doing amazingly well. but all of the elephants that come to sanctuary love to surprise us. 🙂

  16. REPLY
    Sheila says

    bambi rana mara great threesome‼️ bambi is very excited?! her trumpeting and rumbling behavior to mara an rana looks like they are processing bambi also as they havent seen this from lady or even maia! bambi is a tall gal like rana but her walking very fast! i hope rana can keep up! im sure thes ladies will do very well together?! i sure wonder when rana and mara will teach bambi about the ponds! ???lounging in the pool events……upcoming‼️ great ladies! hope they all grow very loving and close these beauties! just what bambi needs‼️

  17. REPLY
    Madeleine Hackett says

    Bambi I is completely transformed!, it’s so incredible to witness . Thank you thank you thank you. What joy!

  18. REPLY
    Sunny says

    Estas meninas no paran de sorprendernos 😀

    • REPLY
      Barb Campbell says

      I am so happy for Bambi ?? she has made fast friends with Mara and Rana and they all 3 look incredible. The power of Sanctuary ♥️♥️

  19. REPLY
    Elisa says

    do i hear rain coming?? cant wait for the water party to begin!

  20. REPLY
    Paula says

    Esto es conmovedor! Bambi ya es parte de la manada!
    Miren como ella floreció, que feliz es ella!?
    Lo único que Bambi necesitaba era la oportunidad de vivir una vida de elefante!?????

  21. REPLY
    Sherry says

    Bambi definitely needed some friends, bless her heart!❤️

  22. REPLY
    Leslie`Sodaro says

    oh how totally lovely!

  23. REPLY
    Rosie P says

    Everyday I am amazed at how far Bambi has come in such a short time. We are starting to see her personality shine through which has been suppressed for too long. She is responding so well to the others, especially Mara.
    It is a delight to see her living her life instead of just existing. She has been so brave and the care, patience and respect and downright hard work shown to her has already reaped huge rewards. Well done everyone.

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