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Maia and Rana – To Play or Not to Play

There are times we find Rana close to the barn without Mara and Bambi around. Most often it’s to clean up scraps the other two have left behind. One recent morning, when she was near the barn, Maia was nearby as well. While Maia has been sharing space with the three at a distance, she still seems to be insecure around them. 

Maia and Rana have known each other for years and have a relationship, so we decided to offer the two of them some one-on-one time. We wanted to provide Maia with the chance to interact a little more comfortably with another elephant if she wanted (and with an old friend).

Initially Maia was a little hesitant to approach, but then walked over realizing it was Rana and there didn’t seem to be any other elephants around. The two stood together for a while, side by side, smelling and gently touching. After a bit, Maia’s demeanor changed and she got a little spunky, but in a way that Rana didn’t seem in the mood for. Maia started nudging Rana, trying to get Rana to react towards her. Maia’s actions weren’t aggressive, but Rana was in her quiet morning mode and didn’t want to play. After a minute of no response, Maia then went behind Rana and bumped her butt a few times, which caused Rana to walk away. The movement was enough to have Maia go into a much sillier mode, head down, lifting her back feet, and kicking out behind her. Although Rana was trying to communicate she wasn’t in the mood, Maia wasn’t listening. At this point, we decided to give Rana a break and see if Maia would walk off a bit. Rana wasn’t being hurt, but she also wasn’t being acknowledged by Maia, who is much stronger and agile than Rana. Part of our role in elephant recovery is walking that line – we need to create opportunities for Maia to have time with other elephants, but we also have to respect Rana’s desires. Rana’s age and physical health should be taken into consideration in situations like this, to let her know that we are listening and she is heard and safe. 

This type of interaction is something that would happen between Maia and Guida occasionally.  Guida would take a moment to decide whether she wanted to engage in play, or if it was too over the top, and she might prefer to walk away. Maia can get a little physical during play, often due to excitement and joy she experiences with friends. Because she is a bit of a tank, and our youngest resident, we try to ensure she takes care in these situations. 

Maia and Rana’s time together was still positive, even though Maia got a little caught up in the moment. At no time did Rana appear frightened and Maia was fine with being led off to have a snack and take the energy down a touch. It was actually sweet to see how excited Maia was, but she still needs to work on recognizing boundaries.  After decades alone, most elephants need to learn how to do this, and also learn when and how to express their emotions. As with everything in life, there is a time and a place. There will be plenty of opportunities to allow Maia more Rana time, and hopefully next time she will be more open to what Rana wants as well. 

Photo of Maia

Comments(13)

  1. REPLY
    Barb says
    April 30, 2021 at 3:05 pm

    These moments you share bring us closer to ESB. Thank you

  2. REPLY
    Andrew Pearson says
    April 30, 2021 at 3:31 pm

    Elephants are like us as sometimes they want to be involved and have fun. Another time we may not want to be part of group.

  3. REPLY
    Meredith says
    April 30, 2021 at 3:33 pm

    Beautiful photo!

  4. REPLY
    Sue says
    April 30, 2021 at 3:50 pm

    So well put by Barb, these wonderful stories do bring us closer, I fully agree. Over and over I find myself comparing some of the girl’s reactions to humans. They are constantly dealing with new situations and friends, like us, and it takes time and understanding to learn to read the room!! I was so happy to hear that the two of them were able to spend some one on one time with each other. Thank you!! ❤️?❤️

  5. REPLY
    Audrey says
    April 30, 2021 at 4:00 pm

    What amazing beings, they all sound so wonderful for you all to work with.
    Thank you for the care you’ve been giving them. It means a lot to me. ? ? ?

  6. REPLY
    Carol says
    April 30, 2021 at 4:08 pm

    So interesting. Such depth of feeling of which most humans are completely unaware. If more people were well informed about all forms of wildlife, the world would be infinitely better off!

  7. REPLY
    Julie says
    April 30, 2021 at 4:21 pm

    Thank you for always knowing exactly the right thing to do to facilitate every one of these ladies’ recovery. Sending love and best wishes for Maia girl!

  8. REPLY
    Wim says
    April 30, 2021 at 5:26 pm

    Can’t imagine how difficult it is to come back to normal life after so many years in captivity. Must be a miracle when all the girls find that elusive thin line. ??❤️

  9. REPLY
    Katie Howard says
    April 30, 2021 at 6:53 pm

    Ms. Fuzzy-Wuzzy! She’s a big girl, with a big appetite for life and for fun ?. She’ll “get it”,…eventually!
    I’m actually a little surprised that she and Bambi aren’t besties. With their mutual zest for life and Bambi being such a Zoomie, I would think they’d be a natural pair. Perhaps they are too much alike? And I think Bambi is the smallest and Maia the largest so maybe that plays into this?

    • REPLY
      Kat Blais says
      May 1, 2021 at 11:53 am

      Rana, Mara, and Bambi are all around the same height with Bambi possibly being the tallest. Maia is next, but she is the strongest. Lady is the shortest.

  10. REPLY
    Debbie Sides says
    April 30, 2021 at 7:31 pm

    I just love Maia and her silliness! Rana is so patient and always seems to be the one to take care of the others.

  11. REPLY
    SHEILA says
    May 1, 2021 at 2:59 am

    OH DEAR.❤️MAIA! THE PLAYING TANK ? LADY‼️ YES I THINK WHEN MAIA REALIZED IT WAS RANA SHE WANTED TO WELCOME HER AND ENGAGE IN PLAY! UNFORTUNATELY. RANA WAS IN HER SNOOZY MODE LIKELY AND DIDNT WANT TO ENGAGE IN SILLY PLAY WITH MAIA?POOR MAIA. SHE SEEMS TO BE LOST AND OUT OF SORTS! RANA ?DOESNT WANT TO PLAY! SHES SEGREGATED FROM BAMBI, ?MARA? AND LADY? SHE CANT HAVE CLOSE CONTACT! I REALLY HOPE WHEN GUILLERMINA ?COMES! SHE TAKES A LIKING TO MAIA! THESE 2 YOUNG GALS MAYBE BECOME GREAT PLAYMATES TOO‼️ THAT WOULD BE FANTASTIC! I THINK MAIA NEEDS SOME PLAY!?

  12. REPLY
    Maureen C. Allen says
    May 1, 2021 at 9:20 am

    The report of Maia’s playful teasing and Rana’s patient, but firm, refusal reflect the knowledge and devotion these magnificent creatures deserve.

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