While Mara is stable right now, we want to share an update that she had a gas/colic issue. We came in for night feed two nights ago, and you could tell that she was very crampy. With Rana leading the way, we were able to get the three back to the barn. Mara was very cooperative and came into the treatment chute, and you could see that she was somewhat distended with gas present in her upper abdominal area. Treatment was immediately started to help her become more comfortable while addressing her situation. We stayed with her until about 2 am, when things settled down.
First thing the next morning, she looked more comfortable, but was still not where she needed to be. We continued treatment with her, including medications, rectal fluids, etc., while closely monitoring her and offering small amounts of soft foods every 30 minutes, plus some holistic treatments. During this time, we separated her from Bambi and Rana. At some point in the afternoon there was a torrential downpour and Bambi and Rana had a beautiful, silly grandma party. We recorded some of it and will share when we have time to get it off of our phones. After dinner, we put the three back in together, with Mara continuing to improve.
This morning Mara continued to move in a positive direction: her gassy areas decreased, her appetite increased (although her food consumption is still limited), and her comfort level also seemed better. Today she stayed with the other two, except during treatment. She is not yet 100%, and severe gastrointestinal issues can change at any moment, but we are more comfortable with where she is right now.
We are incredibly grateful that Mara has been so cooperative during every treatment. Training is very necessary, but when an animal is sick and loses food motivation, so much comes down to trust. Mara was a little concerned when we first tried to administer rectal fluids. She did this little nervous shake, but backed up and was a total peach and settled in once we began. And of course, gave little squeaks during her treatment.
As you all know, Mara has had GI issues for over six months now, but this acute episode had the potential to be much more devastating. Not only is Mara very old, but she has weakened with her fluctuations in appetite and food consumption. This is simply the result of decades of captivity. Many people think about foot and joint disease, but the unnatural diet elephants are fed for 40-50 years has a significant impact on their bodies. Mara suffers worse than others in this regard.
It is our hope that Mara continues to improve; she has responded well up until this point- but she is not fully out of the woods yet. We will keep you posted if anything changes, but in this instance, no news is good news – at least for the next 48 hours. It just means we are busy making sure she recovers. Thankfully, we have some lovely assistants. Bambi has been very attentive and gentle towards Mara, using her time with Rana to get out her energy and silliness. And Rana, well, she is lovely Rana.
Please keep Mara in your thoughts and try to replace any worry with positivity about her healing and full recovery. That is what she needs.
Comments(25) 
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Julie says
March 17, 2021 at 2:39 pmMara is in the best, most loving and capable hands, and that’s all we can ask. Get well soon lovely, dear Mara! We love you here! Sending all our love to you!!
bo says
March 17, 2021 at 3:01 pmMara, of course, is in our elephant/animal lovers hearts, as are all other elephants!!!
the endless caring/love of the human team is surely helping to make her feel more comfortable as is the loving caring support of her fellow elefriends.
Kathy Marhefka says
March 17, 2021 at 3:51 pmPrayers for sweet mara , thank you for your love and gentle professional care , thank you for keeping us posted , I love all the girls but mara she has my heart ❤️
JoAnn Merriman Eaton says
March 17, 2021 at 3:52 pmOh my. We love you beautiful, sweet Miss Mara. You are in the very best of care. Keeping you and your care takers in positive, healing thoughts. ???❤️
SHEILA says
March 17, 2021 at 3:57 pmYES DEAR ❤️?MARA. HOPE YOU ARE GETTING OVER YOUR BIG DIGESTIVE PROBLEM. VERY SOON! VERY HAPPY YOU GOT RID OF THE PAIN! GAS AND STOOLS! MARA! AN ENEMA CAN BE A VERY GOOD THING?. SO HAPPY YOU KNEW THE STAFF WERE HELPING YOU! YOU WERE A ROCK STAR MARA‼️ PRAYING FOR YOUR RETURN TO HEALTH SWEET MARA? LOVE YOU SWEET? LADY❤️ GET WELL SO U CAN PLAY AND CHAT WITH UR GIRFRIENDS RANA AND BAMBI ? PLUS NEW LADIES COMING SOON GOING TO BE EXCITING ?
Charlotte Hansen says
March 17, 2021 at 4:39 pmI’ll be praying for poor Mara, and for her humans. God bless youall!
Lori Hoover says
March 17, 2021 at 5:12 pmI will be hoping Mara continues to improve and this colic episode is just a bad spell, that she is well on her way out of such severe problems. I’ll also be looking forward to that Grandma Party video, just for the silly sounds. Speaking of sounds, Mara makes the sweetest ones, I hope to hear some from her soon.
Thank you for letting us know and taking such great care of her.
Kelejan says
March 17, 2021 at 5:38 pmYour carers are the best dear Mara. I pray you get better day by day.
Debbie Sides says
March 17, 2021 at 5:46 pmPrayers for Mara to get well. Sending positive vibes for this beautiful girl! We love you and send bunches of healing hugs!
Wim says
March 17, 2021 at 5:48 pmScary news for all of you luckily she’s responding beautifully. Sincerely hope and pray she’ll make a fully recovery. There’s no better place for Mara than in your healing hands. Our world needs Miss Mara. Thank you for being wonderful carers.
??❤️
Alana says
March 17, 2021 at 7:28 pmYou are all in my thoughts everyday, I’ll give Mara a bump to the top.
JamesMichael says
March 17, 2021 at 7:39 pm…Having soothing thoughts for you , Miss Mara –
Terry Feleppa says
March 17, 2021 at 8:45 pmI can’t say enough about AKL of you compassion and loving hearts toward her healing and care!!! Come on Mara girl, you have got this!!!!
Carol in BC, Canada says
March 17, 2021 at 10:03 pmThank you for telling us about what is happening with Mara. It must be almost as hard on you all, as it is on the girls, when they are not well. As much as we love them from afar, you as their caretakers and guardians must be hopelessly in love, and hurt so much when they are hurting. Healing thoughts are coming Mara’s way from all us GSE followers, and special thoughts for all you humans there at the Sanctuary. Hugs to all!!!
Audrey says
March 17, 2021 at 10:04 pmIt’s amazing how elephants know when one of their buddies are sick, they comfort them. Too bad she had such a bad diet, while she was in captivity. No one cared enough to give her and so many others proper foods, but just enough of what they had to sustain them.
So glad these girls have you all. ❤️
Lila says
March 17, 2021 at 10:08 pmGorgeous Mara, I did not know she was so old… how old?
Get well soon, darling 🙂
sara says
March 18, 2021 at 10:53 amWe don’t know exact age, but we believe around 58 years old.
Andy says
March 17, 2021 at 10:30 pmLots of love and kisses to you beautiful Mara and hope that are feeling much better soon. Your people will help you get there. ??
fernande poitras says
March 17, 2021 at 10:57 pmma pensée accompagne cette belle Mara le sachant entre vos mains je suis soulager je lui souhaite un bon rétablissement
Sallie says
March 17, 2021 at 11:16 pmDEAR SWEET MARA, WE ALL LOVE YOU SO MUCH. YOUR GAL PALS, SENSE YOUR NEEDS AS DO YOUR KEEPERS . . . WE YOUR PUBLIC ADMIRERS, ALL SEND YOU OUR LOVE, OUR COMPASSION AND DEVOTION TO YOUR WONDERFUL SPIRIT AND BEING. YOU ARE IN ALL OF OUR HEARTS AND WANT YOU TO GET WELL SOON.
Gayle says
March 18, 2021 at 1:06 amSending Mara much love and healing vibes. So sad that being fed a bad diet for all those years has created such a difficult situation for her. I’m glad she knows that she is in good hands and is loved. That can only help her heal. ❤️
Beji says
March 18, 2021 at 6:06 amMara was a little concerned when administration of rectal fluids began…. well, I can certainly relate that! Poor baby. Good vibes coming your way. Get better soon. Nothing worse than a tummy ache.
Sue says
March 18, 2021 at 12:50 pmSending love and prayers to Mara and her entire Sanctuary family. I know you are doing everything possible to keep her as comfortable as possible as she works through this. I love everyone there so much and can’t imagine how hard it is for all. Love and hugs. ❤️?❤️????????????
Sherry says
March 18, 2021 at 3:00 pmMara trust the sanctuary! Thank you for being caring and loving! ❤️?
Bill says
March 18, 2021 at 6:17 pmMy heart goes out to Mara. It seems as though she has learned to trust those trying to relieve her pain. I hope that she continues to improve.
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Mara – A Wellness Update