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What’s Bugging Mara?

Bambi and Mara recently spent some time in the area across the creek in Yard 4. That part of the habitat is visible from on top of the hill. Kat could see them from the office and was very perplexed by their antics.

Mara would settle in an area and start grazing. Bambi would approach closely, and Mara would dart off. She’d go to a new location and begin grazing, Bambi would walk over and stand next to her, and the pattern would repeat. It was entertaining from a distance, but it didn’t provide the full story of what was happening. Kat wasn’t sure if Bambi was being too clingy or if Mara was in a mood where she wanted personal space, or if something else was going on.   

The two seemed to be working it out by themselves, and so much of sanctuary is letting the elephants be elephants, so Kat let the situation work itself out. Since their next meal was in a couple of hours, she shared the information with the other caregivers so they could be watchful of any signs that could only be seen from a closer vantage point.

When it was time for dinner, we found Rana near the 4B water trough, contentedly cleaning up scraps from earlier. When we made it to Mara and Bambi, Mara seemed a little bit fussy. After a few minutes, we quickly realized that the bugs were much worse than usual. Most of the time, there’s an hour window around dusk and dawn when the bugs peak, but it seemed this afternoon was just a very buggy day.  It made us realize that Mara wasn’t running from Bambi before, but was just trying to escape the bugs. Unfortunately, that’s not how things work. We sprayed her down with our non-toxic bug spray, and her mood instantly improved. We were relieved to know Mara was only annoyed with the bugs and that all continues to be well between her and Bambi.

Photo of Bambi foreground, and Mara background

Comments(12)

  1. REPLY
    Kenneth B. Newman says
    May 3, 2021 at 3:14 pm

    We ALL need the excitement of Guillerminia and Pocha coming soon to GSE……..as well as Kenya and Tamy…..

    I hope those fence post holes are being dug, ( 250 MORE?), the posts being placed, the concrete poured, and the bars being brought to their eventual location to be welded on…….the clock is ticking……..

    • REPLY
      Sara says
      May 3, 2021 at 4:42 pm

      Everything will happen as quickly as possible. We will always keep you informed.

  2. REPLY
    SHEILA says
    May 3, 2021 at 3:49 pm

    AAAH AS I WAS READING I THOUGHT OH MAYBE ?BAMBI WAS STIRRING UP THE ?MOSQUITOS EVERYTIME SHE FOLLOWED ?MARA❗️SURE ENOUGH THAT WAS EXACTLY THE CASE POOR MARA WAS GETTING YOO MANY BUGS AND DEAR SWEET SISTER BAMBI WAS RAISING THEM UP FROM THE GRASS UNKNOWINGLY❗️ POOR BAMBI MUST HAVE BEEN SUFFERING BITES ALSO! THE LADIES SURE NEED TO MUD UP MORE TO ELIMINATE ALL THE NASTY BUG BITES?

  3. REPLY
    Debbie Sides says
    May 3, 2021 at 4:12 pm

    Oh thank goodness. I’m glad it was just the bugs!

  4. REPLY
    Julie says
    May 3, 2021 at 4:15 pm

    Thank you for taking such good care of these girls! So happy for Bambi. I think about her often.

  5. REPLY
    Wim says
    May 3, 2021 at 5:11 pm

    Bugsy Mara always on the move. Poor girl doesn’t get the time for a proper meal.
    ??❤️

  6. REPLY
    Katie Howard says
    May 3, 2021 at 6:11 pm

    Bugs will, eventually, inherit the earth ?. In the meantime, I’m glad you can keep them at bay for Ms Mara! ?

  7. REPLY
    JoAnn Merriman-Eaton says
    May 4, 2021 at 12:41 am

    At the first of the post I thought Oh no! Mara and Bambi have had a sister spat. So happy all is ok between them, I feel bad for Bambi as she is so needy of friendship. Do the girls know to wallow in the mud and coat to get a relief from the bugs? I know they spend time in the pond, but I have never seen them spray mud on. I am ever so grateful for the observation and oversight, and care you give these precious girls.

    • REPLY
      Sara says
      May 4, 2021 at 1:16 pm

      The girls are generally pretty good about using the protection that nature offers. There just happens to be some particularly pesky bugs this time of year.

  8. REPLY
    Carey says
    May 4, 2021 at 6:22 am

    I’m so glad it was bugs and you were able to help!

  9. REPLY
    John says
    May 4, 2021 at 8:10 am

    Oh thank goodness. As I was reading this, I wasn’t sure where this was heading. Friendships can be fragile. Lord knows I have often said or done the wrong thing.

    • REPLY
      Sara says
      May 4, 2021 at 1:17 pm

      Sometimes it’s the simplest solution that saves the day.

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