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Mara – Getting Back to Normal (For Her Quirky Self)

Mara is falling back into what was her norm behaviorally, emotionally, and food-wise before having her gas episode and lying down into the morning (last week).

 

 

We, of course, are still monitoring her closely, and continuing her medications and specialized treatment. Everything else here is a bit status quo, and that is definitely not a complaint.

Her least favorite meal of the day has always been breakfast, although she’s ready for a decent-sized snack a couple of hours later. She still eats a good quantity of food, but leans towards her favorites and rejects some of her vegetables, which she tosses to the side for Bambi or Rana. She also seems the most tired around breakfast time. Today, mid breakfast, there was a clear shift in how awake she was, brightening up significantly part of the way through eating. One of the elephant veterinary experts we work with in Asia said this is something they see commonly in geriatric elephants in the morning.

Her hay consumption is better now than it was a couple of months ago and that is definitely a welcome change. She has always eaten her hay, but the size of the bites varies. If she’s not feeling that hungry, she takes little dainty bites. Right now she is taking what would be considered “normal” sized bites, and even carrying her hay away with her – away from Bambi and Rana, who have their own piles of hay.

Late-night feed, about 10 pm, still seems like her favorite time of the day, both in her mood, energy, and appetite. It is often when all three girls are most vocal as well. In the evenings, Mara sucks down her food, eats everything we offer (although sometimes it is favorites first), and generally doesn’t share anything with Bambi and Rana. Although nature provides most of the diet for the elephants, and Mara does graze throughout the day, we need to check in on her more often because of her gastrointestinal issues and make sure she is eating well and her system is moving along as an elephant’s should. So she will continue to receive her three larger meals and two smaller meals for as long as needed. 

Since Mara is a little more stable, dedicated updates about her health will become more infrequent. No news is good news. So we hope you won’t get as many updates on Mara’s health as we’ve been doing. We’ll continue to post smaller updates in the comments section of Facebook posts and little add-ons to the blogs, so people don’t need to ask “How is Mara doing?” each day. And this will allow us to get back to discussing the other girls as well and life at the sanctuary. 

Thank you all for your support during this last episode, for all of the prayers and good vibes that were sent Mara’s way, and for trusting in the dedicated care that Mara receives here at the sanctuary and from experts around the world.

Comments(15)

  1. REPLY
    Andy says
    March 25, 2021 at 4:13 pm

    So lovely to hear. So happy for Mara.

  2. REPLY
    Cintia Abney says
    March 25, 2021 at 4:15 pm

    Hope it keeps that wsy ? Sorry for Bambi and Rana that will lose their jobs as Waste Managers ?

  3. REPLY
    Nishant Bhajaria says
    March 25, 2021 at 4:23 pm

    This is such a heart-healing post – we are all pulling for Mara! Thank you for all you do.

  4. REPLY
    Sue says
    March 25, 2021 at 4:33 pm

    Wonderful news on our sweet Grandma Mara. I used to also throw vegetables that I wasn’t interested in, lol. I am happy to hear she is continuing to eat hay as well. Thank you for the updates and I am sending lots of prayers and positive vibes your way. Love to all, so grateful for all at Sanctuary. ❤️?❤️

  5. REPLY
    Lori Hoover says
    March 25, 2021 at 5:07 pm

    This is the best news, well, no more news to come on The Mara Situation (LOL I’m hearing Samuel L Jackson and The Bonnie Situation in my head) would be the bestest news, of course. I’m so, so glad she’s doing better.

  6. REPLY
    Wim says
    March 25, 2021 at 6:44 pm

    Very happy news. Mara you’re strong and resilient.
    Hope you’ll keep positive and healing. Wonderful achievement from everyone involved. ???

  7. REPLY
    Linda says
    March 25, 2021 at 7:00 pm

    As someone who suffers from severe chronic gastro issues I know it knocks the stuffing right out of you for days when you have a ‘bad’ attack. I can only imagine it is worse for Mara. Very happy to hear her slowly returning to normal. Hang in there Mara and keep going in your wonderful Mara way 🙂

  8. REPLY
    Katie Howard says
    March 25, 2021 at 7:00 pm

    Ms Mara – you ROCK! Way to go, girl! You have lots of girl parties in the days and weeks and months to come! ❤️?❤️

  9. REPLY
    SHEILA says
    March 25, 2021 at 8:14 pm

    GOOD GIRL MARA‼️??❤️I HEAR KAT SAY THIS TO MARA IN VIDEOS! IM SO HAPPY MARA APPEARS TO BE IN THE UPTURN FOR GREAT HEALTH AGAIN??. IT WILL BE NICE TO EAT H HER PUT ON MORE WEIGHT! SHE WAS A NICE CHUNKY LADY WHEN SHE ARRIVED BUT THIS INTESTIONAL ISSUE SURE TOOK HER CHUNKY LOOK DOWN! I PRAY ?MARA? GROWS STRONGER! HAPPIER AND CHUNKIER VERY SOON BECAUSE SHE HAS A WONDERFUL HOME AND THE 2 NEW ??LADIES R COMING SOON??. THANK YOU FOLKS FOR ALL THE EXTRA CARE AND FOOD PREP AND LOVE U ALL HAVE GIVEN DEAR MARA‼️

  10. REPLY
    fernande poitras says
    March 25, 2021 at 8:36 pm

    je suis très heureuse de savoir qu elle va mieux et ça me fait rire de savoir qu elle à ses petits caprices

  11. REPLY
    Carol says
    March 25, 2021 at 10:00 pm

    Thank goodness our Mara is recuperating from this bout and we are thrilled for everyone caring for her. Prayers continue to go up. ???????????

  12. REPLY
    bo says
    March 26, 2021 at 1:02 am

    virtual cuddles,
    thanks for the update!

  13. REPLY
    Charlotte Hansen says
    March 26, 2021 at 1:29 am

    You guys are the best!!

  14. REPLY
    Rosie P says
    March 26, 2021 at 4:39 am

    So good to get this news. Stay well, darling Mara, and enjoy your time with your sisters.
    Thank you for everything you do for these beautiful, intelligent beings.

    Sending love.

    Written by Matt (on behalf of Rosie)

  15. REPLY
    Rachel says
    March 26, 2021 at 3:10 pm

    Hope you’re doing well Rosie.

    And yes, wonderful news about Mara. Thanks so much for keeping us informed and educated.

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