Mara is an absolute character. We have a spring-fed creek and several water troughs available throughout the habitat for the elephants to drink from. Rana prefers drinking out the troughs (which are emptied, scrubbed, and refilled daily). Maia and Lady are also fine drinking from the troughs, but Bambi and Mara both seem to prefer drinking from the hose when someone is available to serve them.
We use reserve water tanks for water at the barn, and we keep two 5,000 litre tanks hooked up at all times. The empty tanks are switched to full ones as they run down, and we refill the empty ones from our natural springs. The system works great, and there is always plenty of available water in reserve. We recently had to shut off the main supply line for a few hours for a minor repair, which happens occasionally. After the work was completed, the maintenance team needed to allow the repairs time to dry, and ended up not opening the line back up.
There was still water in the tanks, so the issue went unnoticed until the next day. Scott headed out to feed the girls and once they were done eating, went to offer Mara and Bambi their usual water from the hose… but no water came out. Mara offered a tentative squeak, asking politely for a drink.
It took Scott a minute to realize what happened. For the humans, this wasn’t a significant issue. It only takes a moment for someone to run up the hill and switch the water back on, but pampered Miss Mara prefers immediate service.
Again, she made her signature squeak, requesting the water. When she didn’t immediately receive it, she squeaked again. And again. She then began to squeak continuously, getting louder and louder with each moment that water did not come out of the hose.
Her squeaks usually are cute and endearing, but this time they escalated until it felt more like a yell. She seems to think that the louder and more demanding she is, the more likely she will get what she wants.
Unfortunately, that’s not how things work. Once the water was again running through the lines and to the habitat, we gave Mara the drink she had been so urgently requesting.
Photo of Mara (left) enjoying a drink from the hose, while Bambi waits for her turn
Comments(10) 











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Sallie says
May 22, 2021 at 3:09 pmPicky, Picky Mara! Well some ladies have Very particular tastes! Très Chic, Missy! If you can’t raise a glass, certainly a hose will do the job! ???????
Julie says
May 22, 2021 at 3:15 pmWell although I feel for ESB’s human resident’s poor nerves, I am so grateful Mara feels comfortable enough to demand (and get) what she wants these days. It has been a long time coming in her life, and thank you for indulging her!!!
Katie Howard says
May 22, 2021 at 3:26 pmSuch a silly pampered princess! ????
Beji says
May 22, 2021 at 5:47 pmMmm. Cold hose water…delicious
Gayle says
May 22, 2021 at 7:03 pmDivas do not tolerate being kept waiting! Good human help is hard to find these days, eh, sweet Mara!!
Debbie Sides says
May 22, 2021 at 7:11 pmAwe Mara such a cutie wanted her water immediately! Squeak!
Patricia says
May 22, 2021 at 7:46 pmI get it, Mara! If you squeak jump, your hoomans must ask “How high?” ? Love to all!
John says
May 22, 2021 at 9:43 pmI really envy the people who get to know these creatures so intimately. Having said that, I know you all work very, very hard, and those interactions are the rewards for the efforts.
JoAnn Merriman Eaton says
May 23, 2021 at 2:29 amIt is funny to picture this demanding from Diva Mara! Also, wonderful to know she is comfortable and feels safe enough to make demands. ?♥️?
JoAnn Merriman Eaton says
May 23, 2021 at 2:31 amBeautiful to know Diva Mara is comfortable making demands!!?♥️?
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Your ticket for the: Listen Up – Mara Wants Her Water Now
Listen Up – Mara Wants Her Water Now