Maia Naps and Gets Some Extra Love

On a recent evening trip to check on the girls, Maia was spending time in Yard 3 – which she hasn’t done in a while. She surprised us and we almost drove right past her on the four-wheelers. The gates are often open and the girls can choose where they want to go, but Maia is a wanderer at heart. She doesn’t always seek as much hands-on attention as some of the others and we constantly find her at the far reaches of the fenced-in habitat.

Because she was close by and seemed in a happy place, we gave her some extra food and some of Mara’s cooked pumpkin that she’d turned down during her meal. Maia is not around when the others scramble over Mara’s leftovers, so it felt nice to spoil her a bit and show her some additional love.

The next day, Maia decided she would spend a little more time in Yard 3. During her very early days at sanctuary, she had a little less space and tended to spend more time there – finding favorite nappings spots, particularly under a big copaiba tree. It is a big, beautiful tree and was something that drew us to the property immediately when we were looking for the right spot to build the sanctuary. It just reminds you of something you would find in certain parts of Africa. Maia always loved that shady spot and it was nice to see her back in one of her old haunts, lying down for a rest.

Later that afternoon, Maia came by the barn and decided to take another nap there. There is a shady spot there that she likes when she is really tired; she can lean into the fence there for a good belly squish and petting. Instead she decided to lie down again and take a load off.

At the end of the night, just as the sun was setting, we saw Maia from the house, across the creek in Yard 4. In just a little over 24 hours, she went from one end of the habitat in Yard 5, to spending the day in partial slumber by the barn, to the other far reaches of Yard 4, taking advantage of all of the space the sanctuary has to offer. She doesn’t always take the opportunity to come close, so it was hard not to smile watching her roam and make the choices she wants, all on her own time.

Comments(14)

Katie Howard says
March 31, 2021 at 4:28 pm
Fuzzy-headed, beautiful Maia!
Glad to hear she’s doing well – and being appropriately spoiled! ?❤️?❤️
Julie says
March 31, 2021 at 4:48 pm
Sounds like the perfect snapshot of sanctuary. Love you Miss Maia!
John says
March 31, 2021 at 5:09 pm
What a wonderful posting. Would you say the elephants respond, in noticeable ways, to the human love they receive?
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  Sara says
  March 31, 2021 at 5:35 pm
  Each elephant responds differently, depending on where they are emotionally and what is happening. But they definitely can read human care and concern.
Angelina says
March 31, 2021 at 5:24 pm
Thanks for the update. Maia has a beautiful soul, I think. Gentle and friendly and relaxed. Possibly very zen.
Elaine richard says
March 31, 2021 at 5:51 pm
Home, home on the range … where they can all roam at will, choosing the trees to nap under and no doubt half-listening for the sound of your vehicles, bringing nourishment and treats. ?
Debbie Sides says
March 31, 2021 at 7:12 pm
I just love her fuzzy head and squishy smiley face!
Sunny says
March 31, 2021 at 7:43 pm
She’s so ?
Bill says
March 31, 2021 at 8:39 pm
Some days you feel like you need a nap in the quiet of the yard.
SHEILA says
March 31, 2021 at 8:42 pm
GREAT MAIA HAD A LIL COOKED PUMPKIN TREAT?MY GOODNESS SHES A SLEEPY??? GIRL LYING DOWN DURING THE DAY. MAIA IS STILL CRUZING THE HABITAT JUST ENJOYING HERSELF! SHES BECOME VERY COMFORTABLE WITHOUT RANA ALSO! OF COURSE MAIA KNOWS ? RANA IS BUSY HERDING BAMBI? AND ?MARA ABOUT??. GOOD TO SEE SHE GOT HER PETTING IN FROM HER FAVORITE HUMANS ALSO?
Beji says
April 1, 2021 at 8:14 am
Such a pretty girl! She’s finally living the life she deserves. Brings tears to my eyes. Happy tears.
Carey says
April 1, 2021 at 9:36 pm
She sounds as if she is just “home” and she knows it and owns it. I looked up the copaiba tree what a lovely tree, has it flowered/fruited? Does any animal bird like the blossom or fruits? And do you collect the sap for essential oil? I read it has a multitude of medicinal uses https://draxe.com/essential-oils/copaiba-oil/
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  Kat Blais says
  April 2, 2021 at 8:54 am
  It did flower/fruit a couple of months ago. Not sure if anyone likes the fruits, they are tiny. The bees love the tree when it flowers for about 24 hours. You can hear them buzzing from far away. We don’t touch the tree in regards to trying to collect any sap from it, but we do use copaiba essential oil with some of the girls. It does have a weird side effect with our elephants when given orally- it acts as an appetite stimulant. Of course, Mara won’t touch it.
Carey says
April 5, 2021 at 9:40 am
Mara! An appetite stimulant is just what she needs! Thank you for the info on the copaiba tree, very interesting I hope you can grow more as shade givers for the girls, pollen for bees and… it’s beautiful!

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