Side-by-Side Dining

This morning, Scott went out to feed Rana and Mara breakfast. He drove around for a little while, turning off the four-wheeler (ATV) a couple of times to listen for them. As everyone knows by now, Mara isn’t very good at being quiet, which usually makes her easy to find by her squeaks and rumbles. He ended up finding the two deep in the bushes and trees north of Middle Road. They were both far off the path and seemed very light and happy.

Usually, when we feed two or more elephants together, we put down one elephant’s food and feed the other elephant a little bit further away. They can still see each other, but it keeps their food separate. Mara and Rana seem to prefer to eat side by side. They currently receive the same supplements, so, the team has been putting the two buckets of food down just a few feet apart.

This morning, though, after Scott put down their food, they decided closer was better. First, they stood side by side and shared Rana’s food. Once they finished, they both walked over to Mara’s food and ate her food. Mara seems to enjoy this more than Rana. We suspect that Rana would prefer to eat her food by herself, but she will let Mara do anything that makes her happy, including sharing her meals.

photo: Mara on the left, Rana on the right

May 26. 2020

Comments(20)

CAROL says
May 26, 2020 at 4:31 pm
awwww. good sharing, girls!!!! xoxoxox
Barb says
May 26, 2020 at 4:33 pm
Don’t they look lovely side by side!. Isn’t their bonding wonderful!
- REPLY
  Alejandra Enquin(,Sandy) says
  May 26, 2020 at 6:26 pm
  Adorables amigas,compañeras ,real.ente es una relacion emocionante ,llena de felicidad,respeto,disfrute compartido,complicidad.Mara y Rana parecen salidas de un cuento de hadas.Pero han dejado atras terribles historias de maltrato y sufrimiento y son un ejemplo de gratitud a la vida.
Kathy Sechler says
May 26, 2020 at 4:33 pm
Oh, What a sweet girlfriend Rana is, and what lucky girls to have found each other. Thank you for all you do for them !
SHEILA says
May 26, 2020 at 5:00 pm
Very lovely ladies rana ?and mara?! So happy happy these lonely ladies have found sister ? love!! Yes mara is a chatty gal always squeaking as she doesnt want to miss a meal‼️ maras skin does look far better shes darker grey now! Very beautiful, hope she goes swimming in pond‼️
Tammy says
May 26, 2020 at 5:38 pm
Good girls you know what they say “Sharing is Caring” these Elephants are so amazing they’ve made incredible progress in such a short amount of time it’s just beautiful to watch unfold! Lots of love and hugs! ???
Victoria Bush says
May 26, 2020 at 5:41 pm
So sweet! I think they might actually be sisters. Ancestry.com for elephants?
Julie says
May 26, 2020 at 6:00 pm
Eating together makes everything taste better! I’m remembering a video of Tarra trying to steal poor Shirley’s food. ?. Good thing they’re all so well taken care of, plenty to go around!
- REPLY
  Kat Blais says
  May 26, 2020 at 6:25 pm
  and shirley definitely only allowed tara to take her food when she wanted. it was a ‘little sister’ ‘big sister’ game with the two of them. quite charming
Wim Diepeveen says
May 26, 2020 at 6:16 pm
They are extraordinary sentient and intelligent. Makes you wonder who’s watching who.
Well done sisters it’s a daily pleasure to see your Elephant circle grow and grow.
????
Carey says
May 26, 2020 at 6:48 pm
Wow! Sharing food!
Rosana says
May 26, 2020 at 7:15 pm
Cada post de Mara y Rana deja una enseñanza. Amigas, compañeras, se cuidan entre ellas, disfrutan , son tan dulces! Y lo están descubriendo juntas, al menos entre ellas. Si todos hicieramos lo mismo, estar pendientes del otro .. amor y paz asegurados. Gracias chicas ??❤️
Tracy H says
May 26, 2020 at 7:20 pm
What a sweet girl Rana is to share her food and vise versa with Mara. So glad Rana has taken to Mara like she has. Her broken heart over Ramba
( whom I miss very much) is healing and love is abundant with these two girls. Love seeing them together. They both look so happy and smiling. ?❤️?❤️
Sherry says
May 26, 2020 at 9:00 pm
Oh, love this story, sharing food! They are best friends.
I saw on the news how bad the Covid-19 is in Brazil. I am thinking of you all and saying a prayer.
Take good care and love.❤️. The virus is still rising here in the U.S. especially since many states have opened back up.
Debbie Sides says
May 26, 2020 at 9:47 pm
They are over the top adorable together! I hope Maia & Lady become friends. Lady seems to be interested in the other girls’ interaction. Hope she begins to feel more secure and allow them in.
Lila Nieto says
May 26, 2020 at 11:21 pm
Rana, a sweetheart as always…
Sallie Robbins-Druian says
May 27, 2020 at 12:14 am
SISTERS FROM ANOTHER MISTER!
JoAnn Merriman Eaton says
May 27, 2020 at 2:19 am
Such joy to watch these two sister friends relationship grow. Who knew that just three weeks ago this friendship and bond would have progressed this far. So wonderful what freedom has done for these beautiful souls.
Rosie P says
May 27, 2020 at 3:04 am
Life has changed dramatically for Mara in such a short time. Her carers at the Ecopark in Buenos Aires must be so happy for her. Mara not only has so much space to move around and all the facilities that go with it, but she has found a friend in Rana. They seem a perfect pair with Rana showing such patience towards her new sister. It’s truly a beautiful, blossoming friendship. I am so happy for them both and love learning more about them each day as their friendship deepens.
Shirley Taylor says
May 27, 2020 at 8:56 am
Their friendship is remarkable they must have been so lonely for many years and are now making up for it by wanting to be together all the time. It would be so nice if Lady could have friendship like that with Maia. Xx

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