A Sleepy Less Compliant Maia

Sometimes, a sleepy Maia is a little less compliant.

Maia spends a lot of time in the ponds. Shirlei was recently out feeding the girls breakfast and found Maia in the pond. If mornings start out warm, Maia can be found going for a dip, so it wasn’t surprising or out of character to discover her there before breakfast.

Maia is many things, including observant. The 4wheeler is loud, and Maia knows the morning routine. She was very aware when Shirlei arrived with breakfast. However, Maia ignored Shirlei’s arrival, aside from a little periscope sniffing with her trunk in that direction.

Part of feeding the elephants is also checking them over and making sure they are ok. Caregivers ensure that the elephants are moving, eating, and behaving normally. While Maia being a pond blob is normal behavior, Shirlei still wanted to make sure her appetite and movement were healthy. Usually, if an elephant is lying down when we arrive to feed, the caregiver will leave to feed the other elephants, and then come back. That morning, everybody else had already been fed. This left Shirlei waiting on the 4wheeler for little Miss Maia to decide it was time to stand up and eat breakfast. Thank goodness for walkie-talkies or the rest of the team would’ve been worried about Shirlei!

Maia eventually came out (15 minutes later), nonchalant, but ready for breakfast. Shirlei fed Maia & watched her enjoy her breakfast with her normal appetite and love of food.

Pictured: Maia in the pond.

March 13, 2020

Comments(17)

Kelejan says
March 13, 2020 at 3:32 pm
I love that they assert their independence in their own time.
Jean says
March 13, 2020 at 4:02 pm
Maria is too funny!!
It’s wonderful she can decide for herself what she wants to do even if it’s inconvenient for the humans. I’m sure she appreciates the respect and love she is receiving. Thank you for all you do????❤?
- REPLY
  Jill P says
  March 14, 2020 at 5:51 am
  I find this so good to hear, that Maia feels the love of the sanctuary and knows she is free to come when she is ready. It must be fantastic for her to feel that free, realising her self awareness and aiding her healing. Thank you again for all your care and patience of these beautiful animals and understanding just what they need – you are all amazing ?✨???
Muriel Servaege says
March 13, 2020 at 4:07 pm
Nice to see how Maia takes things easyt!
Juan C Echeverri says
March 13, 2020 at 4:37 pm
That is a great picture. thank you for sharing!
Heidi says
March 13, 2020 at 4:40 pm
I just signed up for these daily updates and they make me smile, a welcome addition to my day considering all the other news right now is sad. Thank you!
- REPLY
  EleComposer says
  March 13, 2020 at 6:13 pm
  Welcome, Heidi! ❤️
  - Heidi says
    March 13, 2020 at 8:01 pm
    Thanks! I am blown away with what you are accomplishing!
Barb says
March 13, 2020 at 4:50 pm
Non-compliance never looked so good ? ❤️?
CyrAnn says
March 13, 2020 at 5:09 pm
I love it that she decides when she’s ready to proceed with her day!!!!!!!
Carey says
March 13, 2020 at 6:01 pm
How funny, and so easy to see why she is non compliant! well done Shirlie!
Maggie says
March 13, 2020 at 6:13 pm
Maia the pond blob, take your time sweetheart.
JoAnn Merriman Eaton says
March 14, 2020 at 12:24 am
Seems pond blob Maia is learning she can have a little control.?? Love her.
Rosie P says
March 14, 2020 at 3:36 am
I love our sweet pond blob. I guess that in retirement you can take all the time you need. Thank you for your patience, Shirlei. Maia knows you will wait for her! LOL!
Lynne Russert says
March 14, 2020 at 7:43 pm
Toooo funny! She goes by HER OWN schedule!!!???
Nishant Bhajaria says
March 14, 2020 at 9:10 pm
” pond blob” Funny!
Sallie Robbins-Druian says
March 15, 2020 at 12:43 am
THE POND BLOB has no promise of ever being a lap swimmer, but who cares? Miss Maia has her SPA timing down pat!

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