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Maia’s Carefree Day

On a recent evening, it seemed that Maia was particularly in tune with her surroundings and was moving around and interacting with others in a very light way. As many of you know, Mara, Bambi, and Rana are often inclined to come to the barn for dinner. This evening, Maia was not too far away from the barn and all four headed there together, with Maia actually going into the yard first. This was a little bit unusual, because she doesn’t often share the smaller yards with all three of those ladies at once. 

As Maia passed by the barn, she spotted some food that had been put out for Lady earlier in the day; she grabbed a flake of hay and a palm frond for a snack, then walked to the back of the yard and down toward the mud wallow – free and easy as can be. 

Later that evening, the caregivers were putting Mara’s extra evening food out for her in the habitat and came across Maia, who had just emerged from the pond. She was glistening and looked lovely and cool – all set for an evening graze. We don’t know exactly where Maia went during the evening or how she got there, but she seemed to have taken a trek across the property. And nothing compares to a night swim after a relaxing, easy day.

Photo of Maia during a swim

Comments(16)

  1. REPLY
    John says

    Thank you for providing me with desktop pictures! It has to be so fulfilling for the sanctuary staff to watch these elephants go about their daily lives like this.

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      We are glad you are enjoying the pictures. They definitely are photogenic subjects.

  2. REPLY
    Katie Howard says

    What a spectacular photo! ❤️🐘❤️
    I am so happy to hear this! I have felt like Maia kind of lost her compass with all that unfolded the past couple of years, but your posts about her lately have seemed like she’s found a happy place again and is more relaxed. Ms. Fuzzy-Wuzzy needs her pond time in order to keep her hair styled, after all! 😁

  3. REPLY
    Carol says

    The ladies are vacationing at a five star spa…and they deserve every moment of it. 💗💗💗💗💗

  4. REPLY
    SHEILA says

    SO NICE TO SEE ❤️🐘MAIA IS REALLY OBSERVING THE OTHER LADIES MARA ❤️🐘AND 🐘❤️BAMBI ALOT! I THINK MAIA WANTS TO JOIN THEM AS SHE KNOWS RANA WELL! SHES JUST UNSURE OF THE OTHER 2, GREAT MAIA CAME ALONG AND PUT IN AN APPEARANCE AT THE BARN! OBTAINED SOME SNACKS. THEN MZ MAIA CHANGED HER MIND AND WENT FOR A NICE SWIM!🐘🏝 GOOD FOR U MZ CHUNKY GAL MAIA! BEING HAPPY AND HEALTHY IS MOST IMPORTANT👍 THANKS FOR THE SWEET PIC AND STORY OF MAIA❤️🐘❤️

  5. REPLY
    Debbie Sides says

    Absolutely adore Maia

  6. REPLY
    Julie says

    Lovely to hear about Maia’s good day! May there be many more in the future!

  7. REPLY
    Suzanne Eaton says

    I LOVE sweet Maia. She has choices and that’s what matters. ❤️🐘

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      Absolutely!

  8. REPLY
    Beji says

    The new model for the Sports Illustrated swim suit edition. No swim suit required for elephants! Maybe just trunks?? Hahaha…couldn’t resist

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      Haha! That’s a good one.

  9. REPLY
    Charlotte Hansen says

    this makes me so happy for our Maia!

  10. REPLY
    Irene says

    She is so beautiful! Inside and out!♥️

  11. REPLY
    Katie Howard says

    Beni, You nailed it! 😃

    Sara: submit the photo to SI for their next swimsuit issue!! It might actually work – and would help raise awareness about elephants! Many people don’t know they swim!

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      Wouldn’t that be funny? Love it.

  12. REPLY
    Wim says

    The pond Queen’s shining hour. How wonderful to watch her having a glorious day. Blessed Be Maia!
    🤗🐘♥️

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