Happy 8th Re-Birthday, Maia!

It’s been 8 years since Maia became one of the first two elephants to arrive at Elephant Sanctuary Brazil. She has witnessed much change as the sanctuary has grown and its residents increased in number. For the better part of a decade, she’s been on this journey with us, teaching us how to be the best possible caregivers we can be to all of the elephants.

Maia exemplifies the healing power of sanctuary to change lives. The environment here, along with Guida’s assistance, gave her the chance to renew her approach to life. She let down her guard and allowed Guida to be more of a dominant presence, which gave her the opportunity to become more vulnerable. For a change, Maia wasn’t on guard at all times. Maia and Guida filled the hills and valleys with joyful vocalizations, demonstrating for all that life here was going to be as different from what they were used to, as night and day.

The more that ESB expanded, the more opportunities for exploration revealed themselves. Maia has always been a wanderer and seems to appreciate the natural wonders that sanctuary offers. She has never appeared to mind roaming on her own, taking a few quiet moments to herself. After Guida died and Bambi arrived, Maia chose to separate herself from the other girls for a while. We don’t know if the group atmosphere changed after Bambi’s arrival or if, perhaps, Maia was slightly intimidated by the friendships being built. Regardless, Maia appeared to need time and room for herself to decide exactly what her relationships would look like moving forward. She’s a wonderful example of why vast space and choice are essential for healing.

Later, when Bambi found herself on the outside of a circle of friends, Maia decided she was ready to open her heart to another elephant again. Mere months before that, it would have been surprising to see those two girls spending so much solo time together. But sanctuary gave them the opportunity to expand upon a friendship that we couldn’t have anticipated emerging. The herd was shifting in a natural way, and Maia became more of a leader for her sisters, guiding Guillermina and staying by Bambi’s side.

These days, Maia has taken up the role of sister and protector. When she spends time playing with Guillermina, she gets to let go and embrace the silly side of herself. As Bambi continues to deal with vision loss, Maia is there for her, guiding her and seeming to give Bambi courage. She’s the senior member of the sanctuary herd, which is no small thing. She’s watched elephants arrive and seen elephants pass on. For 8 years, Maia has been a constant in the lives of those around her. We’re inspired by her willingness to grow and change and embrace all that sanctuary is and can be.

P.S.: In this video, Maia experiences the sanctuary pond for the first time. You can see that she’s a natural when it comes to water.

Comments(16)

Allison says
October 11, 2024 at 2:14 pm

Happy Birthday to ya beautiful girl!
Guida is with you 💕
Zoi says
October 11, 2024 at 2:42 pm

Happy 8th re-birthday my dearest Maia!!! 🎉 🥳 Great memory to see you in the pond for the first time. May your life continue happily in the sanctuary. 💚💚💚
Carey says
October 11, 2024 at 3:10 pm

8 years, and I wish her a beautiful re-birthday, Maia, what a personality we have seen develop – remarkable. Love her

PS The video is not yet appearing on YouTube. I’ll wait
- REPLY
  Kat Blais says
  October 11, 2024 at 3:15 pm
  
  it’s an old video and i can see it both on the blog post and on youtube, so i’m not sure why you are not able to see it.
- REPLY
  Susan says
  October 11, 2024 at 11:39 pm
  
  Hi Carey, have you tried rebooting your device & clearing your cache? Your memory may be full. Sometimes that helps. 🙂
Nancy says
October 11, 2024 at 4:11 pm

What a wonderful message about Maia and Sanctuary
Lili says
October 11, 2024 at 4:45 pm

Nunca deja de sorprender el comportamiento de estos hermosos grandotes cuando viven dignamente su libertad. Felicitaciones al santuario y a cada humano generoso y amoroso que comparte cada día con estos animales rescatados de vidas horribles. Feliz cumpleaños, Maia!!!
Wim says
October 11, 2024 at 5:05 pm

Happy Re-Birthday dearest Miss Maia. You surely are the Godmother of the Sanctuary. You’ve seen friends come and go. Only an elephant soul can grow and learn the rituals of life. Wouldn’t it be sensational to add another 8 years to your stay in the Sanctuary.
Thank you for making our world more beautiful.
🤗🐘🍉🍉🍉
Suzanne Eaton says
October 11, 2024 at 7:11 pm

Happy 8th rebirth at sanctuary beautiful Maia. You are the matriarch of the herd and a true leader with a big heart. I wish you many many more years to enjoy sanctuary life. ❤️🐘
JamesMichael says
October 11, 2024 at 8:51 pm

Happy 8th ReBirthday, Miss Maia. You are such a remarkable,loving presence to all of your sisters at sanctuary. So glad you are in sanctuary to experience the love , joys and freedom you and all the girls deserve by Right .
Happy ReBirthday, sweet Angel’
Bonnie says
October 11, 2024 at 10:48 pm

Sara I just wanted to say from what I read Thank you for sharing about Mara she has a heart of gold
Terry says
October 11, 2024 at 11:33 pm

Maia- How beautiful and elegant you are!!! You heart was broken when Guida passed. We mourned and grieved for you, and with you. To watch you transform into your elegance as a friend, a sister, a protector, has been such an honor.
From the deepest part of my heart and soul I wish you the happiest 8th re-birth. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Susan says
October 11, 2024 at 11:34 pm

Happy Rescuversary, Maia!🎈🥳 I’m thrilled for you that you’ve had 8 years (& counting) of freedom, love & friendships… both from eles & your wonderful carers. Their amazing love & hard work show mightily in you & your positive progress. Brava, my sweet girl! Brava! Kudos to the team! 👏👏👏
Charlotte Hansen says
October 12, 2024 at 1:42 am

Happy re-birthday, lovely Maia!
Maureen says
October 12, 2024 at 1:53 pm

Happy 8th re-birthday Maia. We are all honored to have watched you grow and evolve these past years. May you have many more re-birthdays and may every day be as wonderful as you are!
Tammy says
October 14, 2024 at 7:47 am

Happy Happy 8th re-birthday Maia you pretty girl 🥳 you are doing so well its hard to believe its been eight years now since you came to live a free life here at this glorious Sanctuary filled with love hope and above all freedom to make your own choices make new friends become an amazing family! Here’s to many many more birthdays you sweet girl! Sending you much love and happiness and many many many more!🎂🍨😘🐘🪷🐘🦋

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