In 100 AG, a group of sandbenders was present during Team Avatar's arrival at the Misty Palms Oasis. They soon spotted the Avatar's flying bison, Appa, and tried to approach him, only to be chased away by Professor Zei. Later on, Ghashiun's bandits managed to capture the sky bison despite his fierce resistance. In an attempt to escape, Appa caused the loss of a sand-sailer which the group had stolen from the Hami Tribe. They later traded the sky bison to the beetle-headed merchants, who proceeded to sell him to a Fire Nation circus.