It’s a treatment day for Maia and Rana, and they were both far from the barn. We try to work with their choices to the best of our abilities, so we decided to do their treatments along the fence line to disturb their day as little as possible. Especially since the two were hanging out close to each other and being social. That’s a relationship we are happy to help evolve when possible.
We fed them breakfast in the habitat, by the pond, and took care of Lady in the meanwhile. When we were done with her, we went out to do the other girls. By the time we went out into the habitat, Maia had already been swimming, and Rana had left the area. Maia was happy to come to the fence and receive her extra morning treats. Once done with her, we went to go find Rana for her eye treatment.
Rana was near the back of yard 2, which is near where Lady was (different sides of the fence, of course). To try and encourage Lady to have some elephant time, we did Rana’s treatment by the square where all of the yards meet. Lady seemed intrigued as Rana walked over, so we threw her a flake of hay to see if she wanted to hang out and watch Rana be taken care of.
Hay makes a good snack because it’s pretty portable when you have a trunk. Offering hay gives her the freedom to pick it up and eat very far away, or a little further away, or just in a different position with a different view. It offers another way to gauge her comfort. Lady chose to stay where she was, about 20 yards from Rana, and watch Rana’s morning treatment while enjoying her bonus snack.
Lady has seen the other girls have treatments in the chute before, but she’s never seen it happen in the habitat. Lady seemed fascinated by it at times. Her ears would go out, and sometimes she would be so engrossed she would stop mid-chew and watch with a mouthful of hay sticking out of the side of her face. Rana seemed to appreciate having an audience. She would look back and forth with her eyes, from Lady to Kat and Scott, with an excited expression as if to make sure they noticed that Lady was RIGHT THERE.
After about 15 minutes, Rana’s treatment was finished. However, everyone still seemed happy, so we walked over to Lady and threw her some treats to see if she would come closer.
There was no hesitation or thought, Lady just casually walked closer like it wasn’t a big deal. We gave each of them a palm. Without trying to convince her, we just threw some treats to see if Lady wanted to come even closer, and she did! She was close enough that she could’ve almost touched the fence if she leaned just a little bit.
Rana responded with incredible restraint. While she would love to become friends with Lady, Rana seems to understand that Lady isn’t there just yet, and she seems willing to respect that. So while Rana was showing her excitement about Lady’s proximity, she also didn’t move towards Lady or do anything that Lady could’ve found threatening. Everyone seemed super calm about it. Once Rana finished eating, she left the area first. With their location in the yards, and the direction Rana went, Lady could’ve walked along the fenceline after her, but she didn’t. She just watched Rana walk away and then later went up to the fence, moving her trunk along the bars, smelling everything.
We don’t have any photos of how nonchalantly close they were – while we know everyone wants to see (& we want to share!), we have to put the girls first and their needs. It was more important we were mentally present and engaged in what was occurring rather than taking a mental step back and viewing things through a camera.
This interaction was another step in the right direction. Lady seems to be figuring things out, while Rana is developing a deeper understanding of patience. Again.
Photo of Rana.
January 31, 2020
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Barb says
January 31, 2020 at 4:21 pmThanks for sharing those wonderful moments of happenings with the girls. Your descriptions let us “see” the events unfolding.
Bobi StaySee says
January 31, 2020 at 4:25 pm“She would look back and forth with her eyes, from Lady to Kat and Scott, with an excited expression as if to make sure they noticed that Lady was RIGHT THERE.” Beautiful observation; so exciting to read and nearly sorta feel Rana’s joy, self-restraint has got to be still yet another indicator of their high sensitivity and intelligence. Respectfully, no pictures; yet the writing is so visual as to paint the picture in detail. Thank you.
Carol says
January 31, 2020 at 4:26 pmBit by bit.
Gioia says
January 31, 2020 at 4:34 pmMi paciente Rana, ya dará fruto esa paciencia…
Un gran abrazo dulce Elefantita ❤️?
Sherry says
January 31, 2020 at 4:38 pmThis was great observation and a learning experience.
Kelejan says
January 31, 2020 at 5:51 pmBaby will get them there. And Time.
Kelejan says
January 31, 2020 at 5:52 pmBaby steps will get them there plus patience and time.
Julie says
January 31, 2020 at 6:03 pmThank you so much for your intuitive, Ele-Sense. You all are exactly the humans these girls need. Everyone involved is just blessed, the girls for having you, you for having the girls, and all of us for witnessing these daily miracles through your eyes! By the way, any news on Kenya? I’m dying since I heard her story. When is her ETA?
EleComposer says
January 31, 2020 at 7:11 pmMara is first, then Pocha and Guillermina, and then Kenya. So it should be at least 6 months. It will take at least 3 months to finish her fencing.
SHEILA says
February 1, 2020 at 1:10 amNICE COMMENTARY OF LADY OBSERVING RANA WITH TREATMENT! ❤️??❤️ I THINK LOVE IS DEVELOPING SLOWLY FOR SWEET LIL LADY! I CANT IMAGINE WHAT LADYS BEEN THRU FORMERLY! WHAT FURTHER PROCESS HAS TO OCCUR BY ?LADY FOR THE GATE TO BE OPENED TO JOIN RANA AND MAIA???? A few more times of fence line closeness, touching over fence with trunks to RANA AND MAIA??? RANA IS CERTAINLY BEING LESS OVER EXCITED TO HAVE A NEW SISTER FRIEND AND LEARNING PATIENCE! ?MAIA. NOT SHOWING ALOT OF INTEREST U LESS SHES MEETING UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITH LADY!??? SURE HOPE AND PRAY SOLID BONDING OCCURS SOON?❤️
Carmen Lucia Souza says
February 1, 2020 at 4:23 amDon’t worry about photos and videos. Yes, we love them (of course!!!) but we understand that girls and their needs come first.
Kelejan says
February 1, 2020 at 7:22 amI certainly agree with you, Carmen. Always the elephants first,
Rosie P says
February 1, 2020 at 5:42 amWonderful update again! One day at a time, a little closer and a little more confidence……Lady is obviously settling in to her home. So amazed at our Rana being such a good girl and not getting over excited with Lady’s approach.
Can’t wait for the other 4 to join ESB. Exciting times ahead. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Maggie says
February 1, 2020 at 10:14 amWow this is so wonderful to read. It certainly is a big step for Lady. She’s getting braver and is beginning to understand that Rana won’t rush over to her anymore, which hopefully is making Lady feel more secure in being near to Rana.
JoAnn Merriman Eaton says
February 2, 2020 at 2:48 pmTruly a wonderful thing to hear the progress through your experienced eyes. Rana, hold on honey and keep the patience going.
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