The Rain Has Blessedly Begun

Thankfully, the rain began yesterday. We had a short 5-10 minute rainstorm yesterday morning and another storm yesterday afternoon with light rain. Then, last night at around 9:00 p.m., we had a fairly heavy rainstorm. It was a steady downpour that lasted 20-30 minutes. These small bouts of rain are best. With how burned the land is right now, long heavy rains could cause runoff issues. (If you haven’t heard about our fire yet, please click here to learn more.

The rains – and accompanying cooler temperatures – means that all the animals seem light and mellow. We checked on the elephants in the rain last night and dropped off some hay. Interestingly, Bambi chose to eat her hay in the rain, whereas Mara & Rana moved their hay under the canopy of trees and bushes to eat in a dryer spot.

The firefighters are still showing up every day to check on us, which is very kind. The fire chief specifically asked how the elephants were doing, making sure they were okay. It’s touching to know that they genuinely care and aren’t just doing their jobs. ❤️

We see a lot of people are asking about the African elephant barn and habitat. The fires should not impact the arrival of Kenya, Kuky, and Pupy. Their permits are still not approved, so we do not have a timeline, but the fire will not cause any delay. The fences are steel, so they were not damaged in the fire. The land itself is charred, but this area is quite resilient. With the rains, everything should grow back and be very lush within a few months.

The African barn is untouched. We did not protect the barn during the fires, as it was not a priority. Our priority during the fire was to protect the current residents and not vacant buildings. That said, we design our construction with an understanding of the environment here, including fires. Like the Asian Barn, we have a large perimeter of sand and gravel around the African Barn as a fire buffer. With nothing to burn around it, the elephants could be closed in the barn in an absolute worst case, and the fire will move around it due to lack of fuel. While there were no elephants, that is what happened. The fire moved around the barn –the grass growing in the “protected” barn space is still alive and untouched by fire. We will have additional safety measures before any elephants arrive in that space. Of course, if elephants were living there, we would have protected it. All that said, it’s somewhat reassuring to know that our fire buffers surrounding the barn work without any human intervention or assistance.

Amid the devastation, we continue to be incredibly grateful to everyone who came together late last week to protect the residents of Elephant Sanctuary Brazil. ❤️

Photo of (left to right) Mara, Rana, and Bambi sharing a corner of a mud wallow.

October 12, 2020

Comments(26)

Anna Kircher says
October 12, 2020 at 1:11 pm
A beautiful photo of three lucky friends huddled together!
Nancy Nortell says
October 12, 2020 at 1:14 pm
I’m so happy to hear that the rain came. That’ll drench the possibility of any new fires to start. YAY!!!
Rand Cooley says
October 12, 2020 at 1:15 pm
Smart about the enclosures and the reason Bambi is eating in the rain is because she feels alive in the rain I do same thing most people don’t like it but like Bambi it tells me I am alive 🙂 I told you she would be the Belle of the ball
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  FRANCINE FORD says
  October 12, 2020 at 3:40 pm
  Yay, my rain dance worked! What a BEAUTIFUL picture of the Golden Girls. Much happiness amid the devastation. Thank you for sharing the news with all of us.
  ?❤?❤?❤?❤?❤
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  Cristina says
  October 12, 2020 at 6:55 pm
  Que bella foto de las tres hermosas chicas!!!!!! Me alegro que este todo bien x ellas y ustedes. Bendecida lluvia.
Nancy Shaw says
October 12, 2020 at 1:24 pm
Yay Bambi and the rain!! Soon her skin will be all clean and smooth !
Lila says
October 12, 2020 at 1:38 pm
It is so intelligent of you to have built the barn inside a sand fire buffer. You are amazing!!! And the three amigas look great, like the beginning of a herd. Welcome, blessed rain!!!
Barb Campbell says
October 12, 2020 at 1:46 pm
So happy for these daily updates especially with all the stuff going on there ?????? GSE is absolutely awesome and I do love the girls
Dee says
October 12, 2020 at 1:51 pm
What a blessing
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  Beji says
  October 12, 2020 at 10:16 pm
  Look at those sweet muddy buddies!!
Renee' Killian-Zeiger says
October 12, 2020 at 1:56 pm
So thankful for rains. Here and there in Brazil! Also thankful the big girls ????? all other animals and you and the crew are all safe.
Looks like the Three Amigas…..or three Peas in a Pod (uh mud wallow).?! ???
Laura says
October 12, 2020 at 2:15 pm
So happy for the rains!! And such a fantastic picture! Lovely to see Bambi here too – viva las tres amigos!
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  Beth in Minnesota says
  October 12, 2020 at 7:35 pm
  I know Laura, right? So wonderful to see Bambi acclimating so nicely and part of the threesome. ♥️
Alejandra(Sandy)Enquin says
October 12, 2020 at 2:16 pm
Las Lluvias una bendicion de Arriba,Ustedes gente,una bendicion en la Tierra!!???????‍??‍⬛????????Benditos Sean!! Por cuidar,proteger y Salvar???‼️
Debbie Sides says
October 12, 2020 at 2:20 pm
So sweet of the fire chief asking about the elephants well being. Happy everyone is safe. Can’t wait to see the African elephants arrive one day!
elaine richard says
October 12, 2020 at 2:43 pm
Thank goodness for the rain! And bless those firefighters for caring for you and the animals. Thank you for keeping us, your anxious supporters, up to date.
JoAnn Merriman Eaton says
October 12, 2020 at 3:13 pm
YES!!!! Blessed rain. Such a peaceful, precious photo of Bambi, Rana and Mara, this is what we all hoped for. It just keeps getting better.
Sherry says
October 12, 2020 at 3:21 pm
Yay, I love rain. It cleans the earth and It makes everything smell good!???❤️
Bo says
October 12, 2020 at 3:29 pm
Hope everyone, esp the animals (!!) all can relax their days and nights again.
Thank you once again for all the updates.
We all are learning so much, at least that is how I feel, so thank you for sharing all the knowledge, info, pictures and video’s.
And not to forget for sending out a positive vibe, it is inspirational.
SHEILA says
October 12, 2020 at 4:24 pm
THANKS? FOR GREAT INFO UPDATE KAT?. LOVE THE SNUGGLING PICTURE OF RANA! MARA AND BAMBI❗️ WOW THE LADIES R SURE GETTING ALONG WELL??SO WONDERFUL FOR BAMBI? TO INTEGRATE SO WELL‼️ FUNNY HOW BAMBI WAS REPORTED NOT TO LIKE ON HER BODY BUT BEGGED SCOTT FOR SHOWERS IN BARN AND NOW EATS HER HAY IN IN HE RAIN❓ ASTOUNDING? IS MAIA ?AND LIL ?LADY HAPPY WITH RAIN ALSO? YES! I PRAY ?GOD BRINGS UR AREA IN BRAZIL LOTS OF RAIN TO GREEN UP THE SCORCHED TREES AND GRASS AND COOLS THE❤️ ?????LADIES ❤️AND ALL OF U DOWN NICELY‼️ NOTE❗️DO U CATCH RAIN WATER OFF EAVES FROM THE BARN TO FILL UR WATER TRUCK❓OR PONDS❓
Wim says
October 12, 2020 at 4:30 pm
Big or more so giant relief you made it through the fires. You are really very good prepared. So good to know you’ve got different layers of protection. Good luck with cleaning up the spoils of ‘war’. Stay safe and sheltered. Delightful picture of the girls together. Sincerely hope none of the ladies will have traumatic stress or dreams the following months. ,?
Heidi says
October 12, 2020 at 6:18 pm
It lifts my heart to hear about the caring support of the firefighters – and to see the three girls huddled happily together enjoying the mud. Awesome job on the thoughtful design of your facilities, ensuring the protection of the structures and future residents. Thank you for all you do!
Terry says
October 12, 2020 at 6:31 pm
Never sure if my comments make it because it always says duplicate posts when I wonder if it got through! Anyway, I was focusing on RAIN! Glad to know it has arrived and all is wet and cool! 3 beauties together. Maybe one day Lady will be there with them too
Carey says
October 12, 2020 at 6:59 pm
Thankful for those wonderful rains And your long ? is over. Those 3 girls look a little “heatworn “ and I’m guessing a big increase in verbalisation and rain dances. I have vivid memories of Guida and Maia in the rains when they first arrived. Lady and Bambi now to have their first rainy season in nature. ???????
Sallie says
October 12, 2020 at 10:00 pm
Fire is terrifying. I have lived through it twice. How fortunate that the rains came down and all is well with hearth and home and elephants. LOVE this photo of Las Tres Amigas, it shows such love and support for each other, through such a frightening time. I bet they are closer than ever. Timing is everything and also a “Teacher” . . . The Future looks very bright, and I am so relieved that everyone , human and animal are safe. God Bless.
Rosie P says
October 13, 2020 at 3:20 am
Thank you for explaining the situation and how you are able to protect areas including the barns. I am very happy to hear that you have the rains at last. A big thank you, too, for the fire crew and the fire chief who shows he cares….bless his heart! And my heart also goes out to all who came to help…so brave, everyone!
It’s so wonderful to hear that the fire will not affect Kenya, Kuky and Pupy’s arrival. That is what I feared.
Absolutely terrific photo of Mara, Rana and Bambi. This is so cute, three darling girls together. Hugs for Maia and Lady, too.
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