The Ladies Have a New Favorite Grazing Spot

While Maia and Lady spend substantial amounts of time across the creek in Yard 4, the other three haven’t crossed the creek yet this rainy season.

The two had a secret: luscious grass grew back in that space after the fire. Well, it appears that the secret is now out. We recently found Rana out there one evening, but Mara and Bambi were still on the barn side of the creek. Hearing many rumbles, we thought Mara and Bambi had crossed the creek and found Rana. We looked out from the house and saw they were just calling Rana, who ended up going to them.

At night feed, Rana was back across the creek, and we found Mara and Bambi playing in the creek bed to the east of the crossing. They ended up heading toward Scott, near Creeky Alley Gate, so they still didn’t cross into the incredible grazing zone. Rana did not follow them, which isn’t surprising based on what she now knew about the grass in that habitat area.

The following morning, all three girls were across the creek in Yard 4. Mara had visited the area with Rana previously, and Bambi was there when she explored the sanctuary by herself, a month after her arrival. This is the first time we’ve seen all three of them across the creek together. They ate breakfast in that area, and we heard regular rumble parties throughout the morning.

When Mateus went down to bring their afternoon snack, they were still in the same area where they had eaten breakfast. He encouraged them to head down the creek to ensure they were drinking plenty of water. We have the creek water tested regularly, and it is as pristine as it looks and smells. They ended up heading down to the creek, but then had no desire to come back up. Mara chose to skip her afternoon produce and hay for something even better – incredible grazing and icy cool creek water.

Later, Bambi and Mara came over for dinner along a fence, but Rana continued to stay in the pasture. We dropped off her dinner in that area, and she doubtlessly resumed grazing immediately after her last bite.

Photo of Mara, foreground, with Bambi facing the camera in the background and Rana further back and sideways (yes, that’s a third elephant back there!). As you can see, the grass is almost as tall as they are!

Comments(13)

Julie says
April 19, 2021 at 4:39 pm
Oh yes I see Rana now. Bambi surely is not that long and does not bend in the middle that way. Lol. Lovely pic of the ladies eating their lovely, fresh, and green sanctuary grass!
Sherry says
April 19, 2021 at 4:50 pm
Enjoying sanctuary!❤️
Wim says
April 19, 2021 at 5:21 pm
Well the inspection committee is finally in agreement. No time like Elephant time. They are an amazing herd. Lucky you. ❤️
SHEILA says
April 19, 2021 at 6:47 pm
OH MY! THE GRASS?? IS SO LONG!! LADIES JUST ABOUT HIDING IN IT❗️ NICE RANA? LED MARA ?AND ?BAMBI THERE! WONDER UF MAIA? WILL HANG OUT THERE TOO! AND ?LADY! BUT I GUESS THEY R IN OTHER YARDS! THIS GRASS WILL BE NICE SNUGGLING IN FOR SLEEPING! HOPE LADIES EAT DOWN THAT GRASS WELL GREAT FOR REGROWTH?PLUS THEY WILL ALL BE MUCH HEAVIER IN WEIGHT AFTER ALL THST NUTRITAN AND FOOD WAGON EXTRA TREATS???
Lori Hoover says
April 19, 2021 at 7:44 pm
This just sounds so perfect. I can picture the beauty, the greenery in my mind, can see and almost smell the perfect cooling water, and I can see our girls just falling into the perfect day all around them, as if this has always been their life. You all give them so much, in what seems a perfect place, I can’t thank you enough for it. I couldn’t be happier for them.
Katie Howard says
April 19, 2021 at 10:52 pm
Great photo and post! What a happy place. Is it Narnia, or Oz?! ?
SALLIE says
April 20, 2021 at 1:34 am
HOW WONDERFUL FOR THESE GALS TO KEEP RE-DISCOVERING THE SIMPLE PLEASURES OF GSE. JUICY GREEN GRASS GALORE, THE COMPANY OF FRIENDS, SPECIAL TREATS, MANI-PEDIS, THE SECURITY & LOVE FROM THEIR KEEPERS & HANDLERS. AND LOOKING FORWARD TO A NEW EXCITING & POSSIBLY DIFFERENT DAY, FULL OF SURPRISES!
Carol Anderson says
April 20, 2021 at 9:34 am
The Sanctuary couldnt be more beautiful. You picked the perfect place for the elephants. You all are my heroes!
Carol Anderson says
April 20, 2021 at 9:54 am
This was such a beautiful picture, I put it on my face book page with an explanation of the Global Elephant Sanctuary.
- REPLY
  Sara says
  April 20, 2021 at 11:13 am
  Thank you so much for sharing!
Sandi Paquet says
April 20, 2021 at 12:53 pm
Love reading this and can’t wait till the new elephants get there! I can imagine it will take a while for them to realize that they’re standing in a grassy field instead of concrete! That will be such a great day for all of you! And that grass looks beautiful!
JoAnn Merriman-Eaton says
April 20, 2021 at 1:36 pm
This beautiful girlfriend friendship, tall healthy grass to graze on, sparkling spring water, and a food wagon to bring goodies. These girls are in paradise!! Thank you for the photo. Love it.
Barb says
April 20, 2021 at 9:22 pm
Two words: Let’s Rumble! What a treasure field of grass for the girls!

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