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Maia and Guille Cross the Creek

Guille and Maia were on the move yesterday, walking from the smaller yards in one corner of the sanctuary to the opposite corner in Yard 4 – quite a hike. As part of their trek, the two decided to cross the creek in Yard 4. We believe itโ€™s the first time that Guille has done so since her arrival. She and Pocha explored the creek bed on one of the first evenings they stayed out of the small yards all night, but they exited on the same side they entered, so we donโ€™t think the two ever actually made it to the back pasture. This section of the habitat on the far side of the creek is a favorite of Maiaโ€™s. The grass had been cut closer to the end of the rainy season last year, so the grazing is fresh, short, and young, which everyone appreciates.ย 

During their trip, the two of them walked along the fence line that meets up with Yard 5, where Lady is. But the two of them werenโ€™t close to Ladyโ€™s chosen spot for the morning, so we donโ€™t think they ran into each other. Mostly, Maia and Guille just grazed for a few hours, visited the creek bed and dusted, then spent time under a giant palm that gives off plenty of shade; itโ€™s a favorite stand-up napping spot for many of the girls. While the two of them took some time for themselves, Mara, Rana, and Bambi hung out by the pond, enjoying the steady rain.

Photo of Guillermina

Comments(30)

  1. REPLY
    Cintia Abney says

    Itโ€™s so nice of Maia to show Guille her Secret Garden โค๏ธ

  2. REPLY
    Julie says

    Glorious description of a beautiful sanctuary day! Thank you, Sara. I found yard map Ecosiaing (Ecosia is the search engine that plants trees) GSE Sanctuary Map. I dearly love to look at the map while reading your adventure stories.

  3. REPLY
    Carol says

    Sounds lovely. Do you have any issues with ticks? I always worry about tick borne illnesses.

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      We aren’t aware of any tick-borne elephant diseases, but we do occasional blood tests on them to make sure everything looks normal. We’ve never had anything come up and aren’t aware of anyone else who has either.

  4. REPLY
    Pam says

    Thank you.

  5. REPLY
    Pam says

    Regarding the map that Julie referenced in her comment, can you describe where in Yard 3 Pocha is buried? Thank you.

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      Her grave is in the back west corner of Yard 3, near the fence.

  6. REPLY
    Marรญa รngeles Fernรกndez says

    Me alegra que Guillermina camine con Maia. Quรฉ pena me sigue dando, pero al menos estรก con sus amigas. Guillermina duerme sola por la noche? Cรณmo quedan para salir de paseo? Gracias por los artรญculos y las fotos. Maia se sigue poniendo sombreros de heno? Saludos a todo el Santuario y a las chicas elefantas desde Espaรฑa.

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      Guille is generally with the other girls at night, but we can’t be sure who sleeps near whom since we are not there. And, yes, sometimes Maia does still wear hay hats.

  7. REPLY
    JoAnn Merriman-Eaton says

    Beautiful! This is exactly what our hearts longed for. Friendship and support for Guille in her time of tremendous loss is heartwarming. Bless you Maia, and bless GSE for your insight and care of not just Guille, but for each one of the girls individually, and together as a herd.โค

  8. REPLY
    Wim says

    Side by side this could be a perfect new starting point. Hopefully a nice match.

  9. REPLY
    Deb says

    Sounds like a lovely day. So happy Maia took Guille with her. ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ’

  10. REPLY
    Deb says

    How many acres total is yards 1 thru 5?

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      Approximately 99 acres in the combined yards

  11. REPLY
    Susy says

    Buenas tardes. Gracias por tan agradable relato. Cรณmo siempre una alegrรญa saber de Guille y obviamente del resto de las chicas. Soy de Mendoza, lugar donde despedimos emocionados la nueva vida de Guille y la extraรฑable y querida Pocha. Aรบn no han recibido la necropsia de ella? No se si les pasรณ lo mismo, pero la extraรฑo y lloro mucho, serรก un ser inolvidable. Les mando abrazo fuerte.

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      While we were hoping to have some final results on Pocha’s necropsy, we are still waiting. It is being conducted by an independent organization and can take several weeks to be completed, depending on numerous factors.

  12. REPLY
    Charlotte Hansen says

    I think Mama Pocha must have known her daughter would be well taken care of by her nurturing new friends. (I include the human ones in my thinking here) I’m so glad they’re all stepping up to help give her a good life! Very nice of Maia to spend some precious time with her in a favorite spot!

  13. REPLY
    Carol says

    Happy Birthday Scott. I hope someone prepared for you as nice a birthday surprise as is given to all the Big Girls on their special day. Hugs to all

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      Thank you. We will pass along the well wishes!

  14. REPLY
    Terry says

    Such a beautiful connection! Maia taking Guille under her ” trunk”, so to speak.
    Has there been any update with the necropsy report that I might have missed?
    Thank you for ALL you do!

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      The necropsy is being performed by an independent organization, so we are still waiting on results.

  15. REPLY
    Carole Kramer says

    So comforting to know Guille has companionship to go exploring and pleasuring. Sheโ€™s going to be all right. What a lovely excursion she and Maia had together!๐ŸŒฟ ๐Ÿ˜๐ŸŒบ๐Ÿ˜๐ŸŒธ๐Ÿƒ

  16. REPLY
    John says

    It must blow Guille’s mind that there is so much space to explore! What a visual, thinking of them wandering through the land, like an elephant should be doing.

  17. REPLY
    Tammy says

    So glad to see the close friendships and family bonds taking place it’s like a light switch was turned on these girls are quickly changing growing evolving into a wonderful loving adorable happy herd ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ’ž

  18. REPLY
    Miracle Kelly says

    Thank you for all your posts, letting us share in their freedom and happy lives. You’re all doing remarkable jobs.

  19. REPLY
    Miracle Kelly says

    As an advocate and loyal supporter of ALL thing’s pachyderm, I am just as loyal a follower of those who look after them. Thank you all

  20. REPLY
    Pierrette Walraevens says

    So sweet of Maia to take Guille with her and exploring Maia’s secret garden โค๏ธ๐Ÿฅฐ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿฅฐโค๏ธ

  21. REPLY
    Marcia Brixius says

    For what it’s worth, I’m most happy that MAIA has made a friend. I’ve always worried about her. We all know what it’s like to socialize with others but not really like them necessarily, and that’s how I’ve viewed Maia’s relationship previously with the other elephants living at sanctuary before Guille’s arrival. She never seemed to really want to “break in” to the Powerpuff girls’ group completely, with a “take it or leave it” attitude – and mostly leave it! Maia seems to really like Guille, and this is thrilling. Do the caregivers at Sanctuary see the same thing?

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      The two of them seem to have lots of nice moments together, which is lovely.

  22. REPLY
    Carey says

    @Julia, thanks for bringing our attention to Ecosia, I didnโ€™t know of it. Just wondering whether the map you spoke of is the one on the GSE web page? or another? I would love to find a topographical map of the land if possible. This is a wonderful thing going on with Maia and Guille isnโ€™t it?

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