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We’re still deeply mourning Pupy, but we want to take today to mark Maia’s sanctuary anniversary. We announced Pupy’s passing on the date of Maia’s re-birthday, so the celebration was a little delayed. But, as sad as we are, we know in our hearts that it’s important to celebrate life and the rebirth that sanctuary can bring. Here’s what we wrote for Maia:

Today marks Maia’s 9th (yes, you read that right) re-birthday at Elephant Sanctuary Brazil. Nine years ago today, she and her ex-circus mate Guida were the first two elephants to make ESB their home and that was nearly a decade ago! It’s important to note the remarkable impact that the late Guida made on Maia’s life, helping Maia grow into the kind of elephant who cares deeply for others and plays an essential role in herd dynamics. 

Before they ever came to sanctuary, Maia and Guida were circus elephants. After being confiscated, but with nowhere to go, the lawyer of the circus took ownership and they were kept on a farm, in separate hot-wired enclosures, and Maia was chained to prevent her from reaching Guida, who was positioned in the neighboring yard. Guida was often told that she was the “good” girl and got extra attention and treats, while Maia was punished for being “bad,” when of course we know any aggression she expressed was a product of her environment. This treatment by her keepers seemed to make Maia more defensive and protective of herself. Only when she and Guida came to sanctuary did Guida find her voice and begin to express her true personality for the first time in decades. This may have surprised Maia, but she quickly got on board with the new arrangement between them, and Guida became the boss for the first time. Maia’s heart belonged to Guida and they were true soulmates, connecting after years of mistrust. 

After she first arrived at sanctuary, Maia began to uncover her sensitive side. She finally allowed herself to break down the walls she’d built up to self-protect, and a sense of vulnerability emerged. What had been Maia and Guida’s normal for many years almost seemed like a different lifetime, and they trusted each other to start again. After Guida’s passing, Maia emotionally shut down and tended to stay on the outskirts of elephant gatherings, perhaps avoiding building strong relationships with the other girls out of fear of the pain that came with losing someone she loved. That’s why we were somewhat surprised and also delighted when we found her one morning with Bambi, glued to her side and vocalizing in a way we hadn’t heard since Guida was alive. Since that wonderful day when Maia once again opened her heart, She and Bambi have been inseparable and play important roles in each other’s daily lives. 

This is one of our favorite videos of Maia, taken about 5 years ago. She so loved submerging herself in the pond for long periods of time, her trunk periodically rising above the water’s surface for a breath–and then going back down again. She’s affectionately known as our “pond blob” even though she doesn’t spend as much time floating as she used to. Maia seems to get along with all of the other Asian elephants, but has dedicated her time to making sure Bambi is safe, which we are grateful for, and to being an effective teacher for Guille, sharing some of the lessons Maia herself learned while at sanctuary. We’re also grateful to you, our sanctuary family, for joining us–and Maia–on her healing journey to find happiness, and also herself.