Sharing Space in Yard 4

Lady recently expressed an interest in going into Yard 4 while Rana and Mara were currently there. We don’t know if she knew that they were in Yard 4 when she ‘asked’ to go into the area.

When the three have shared space close to the barn, Rana and Mara have repeatedly demonstrated that they are incredibly respectful of Lady and her desire for space and boundaries. Additionally, Yard 4 is one of our larger yards (40 acres/16 hectares). With this knowledge, we decided to let them in together. It’s been wonderfully anticlimactic.

They’ve been relatively close at times. We haven’t seen any direct contact, and there have been no changes in behavior that indicate that they have had any direct contact.

We are letting them do their own thing in their own time. Sometimes, the three graze near each other, and at other times, they are on opposite sides of the yard. Lady is coming back to the barn for her foot soaks many days, and then frequently returning to a shared yard.

This is part of creating social opportunities for all of the girls. After a few days, Rana and Mara joined Maia in Yard 5 while Lady headed closer to the barn. Then, it shifted, and Mara, Rana, and Lady were all back in Yard 4 again. The next day Maia, Mara, and Rana had yards 1, 4, & 5. There is no set schedule; it will continually change based on what we observe everyone’s desire to be.

These yards were designed with flexibility in mind, and we are using that flexibility right now. Everything changes each day based on where each elephant is, and where we see them expressing an interest in going.

We haven’t been able to get a photo of the three together in the yard, so we sent out the drone to get an aerial view. In the picture, Lady is the arrow on the left. On the right, Mara is the lower arrow; and Rana is closer to the pond (Yard 4).

June 17, 2020

Comments(12)

Barb says
June 17, 2020 at 4:26 pm
My heart skips a beat at the thought of direct contact between the 3 girls. Someday? And the habitat drawings should be on a tee-shirt ?❤️????
Wim Diepeveen says
June 17, 2020 at 6:30 pm
They do have a wonderful feeling for timing. Never seems crowded in their backyard.
Just waiting for a gathering of LADIES.
??????
Carol Kayser says
June 17, 2020 at 6:39 pm
First, Barb I love that idea! It’s great!! I’d buy one?. Secondly it’s wonderful to read about this. Slowly on their terms they are becoming more comfortable, just wonderful. Love to hear this??????
- REPLY
  EleComposer says
  June 17, 2020 at 6:45 pm
  Ha ha, cute, Carol and Barb! Not sure about a tee-shirt, but it will be getting an update at some point to include THE Itchy Scratchy Tree! ❤️
  - Paula says
    June 18, 2020 at 10:00 am
    Si cuando the Itchy Scratchy Tree era un pequeño retoño hubiera sabido en quién se convertiría al crecer!❤??
  - EleComposer says
    June 18, 2020 at 10:06 am
    ¡Si! ¡Nunca podría haber imaginado ser tocado por elefantes!
Patricia says
June 17, 2020 at 11:42 pm
Quiero una camiseta!! Amo ese dibujo! Es el mapa de la Felicidad! Es el lugar sagrado y mágico para nuestras chicas que luego de tanto sufrimiento, tanto dolor, pueden disfrutar y ser su Paraíso!!! @Barb grandiosa idea!!
Rosie P says
June 18, 2020 at 2:19 am
It’s about Lady, Rana, Maia and Mara having choice how to spend their days and their right as living beings to do that. This is true sanctuary. Sanctuary isn’t about simply giving them a home, it is about freedom and recognition of who they are….sentient creatures who deserve to live as they wish. This is ESB. Heaven on Earth.
Paula says
June 18, 2020 at 8:37 am
Que las damas sean libres de elegir el lugar y el momento donde ir, a hacer lo que ellas desean hacer en compañía o solas, esto lo es todo! Nuestro sueño hecho realidad❤
Ver a las damas desde la vista aérea, apreciar las dimensiones y proporciones es muy maravilloso!
Muchas gracias por compartirlo!
Felicidad!!!
Bertica Valdes Suarez says
June 18, 2020 at 1:36 pm
Kat, thank you!! Could you, when you have a minute, describe how you know Lady is asking to be let into a yard? Does she stand by the gate? Thank you.
- REPLY
  Kat Blais says
  June 18, 2020 at 6:08 pm
  She doesn’t always stand by the gate, sometimes she just looks in that direction, other times she heads that way at a faster clip than usual, it’s just about analyzing where she is at mentally and trying to notice the small shifts that indicate she wants something different/more. Good thing is that if she doesn’t want to go that way, she doesn’t. Lady can simply stay where she is or walk away- no harm no foul. But she’s usually fairly clear when her desires change.
Carey says
June 18, 2020 at 5:14 pm
WOW, this is great. so very happy to hear, and how calm things are

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