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Miss Mara and Her Continuing Journey

Mara is an elephant with a special, intangible quality that makes others want to be her friend. She, Bambi, and Rana (aka the Powerpuff Girls) have been a strong team for a while now. Mara also seems to have welcomed Maia into the group and is (very) slowly opening up to Pocha and Guillermina. However, because of the gastrointestinal issues that Mara faced soon after her arrival at sanctuary, she didn’t go through the same growth process as most; for that reason, didn’t seem to fully grasp how to be a giving friend to others or put their needs before hers – even those who clearly adore her. 

Guillermina, as you all know, has changed the dynamics of our sanctuary herd in significant ways. Perhaps as a result of her presence, we see Bambi maturing and learning to adapt her behaviors to the situation at hand on a regular basis. Still, Bambi shows great enthusiasm around Mara and loves being by her side. But Bambi is also demonstrating more confidence, which might be causing Mara to have mixed feelings about Pocha and Guillermina’s effect on Bambi. 

Mara’s attitude has become a tad bossy toward Bambi and, at times, she’s not as welcoming as she can be. It’s hard to know exactly why this is, but it could have something to do with Guillermina’s energy and how Bambi is responding to that. Because Guille can be dominant over Mara, Mara might be looking for someone else in the hierarchy that she might be able to have dominance over; in the past, that elephant has been Bambi. Things are changing among the group all of the time, and that may impact the friendship Mara and Bambi still have. If she’s to maintain her close relationship with her friends, Mara may need to do some of the emotional growth that she missed out on years ago. 

Photo of Mara and her hay

Comments(9)

  1. REPLY
    Susan Flewelling says

    Perhaps – at least for now – Lady has the right idea!! 🤭

  2. REPLY
    Melinda says

    Mara is so adorable! What they’re going through socially is just like what we mere humans experience. But unlike us, they’ll work it all out to the benefit of everyone! Cause that’s how advanced eles are!

  3. REPLY
    Pam says

    As a newbie to GSE, I am greatly enjoying getting to know each of these girls better … Thank you for this update on Mara!

  4. REPLY
    Carey says

    Very interesting, as always thank you the update.

  5. REPLY
    Tammy says

    Miss Mara what a lil sweetheart she is I sure hope her tummy issues get resolved theres nothing worse than not feeling good yet wanting to be part of the group but not quite up to it. Each one of these gorgeous girls has unique things to offer their new found friends things that together make them an awesome unique very special herd family 💞

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      Her gastrointestinal issues haven’t been a problem in quite some time. We just think that because she had to deal with them early on, that may have impacted her socialization skills. But everyone is learning!

  6. REPLY
    Terry says

    Maybe Mara is a little envious of Bambi’s interactions with Guille?

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      It could be. We’ll never know for sure.

  7. REPLY
    Sherry says

    Ms Mara never got the recommend nutrition she needed growing up and now it is affected her health. I know the sanctuary will take great care of her and her needs.
    Thank you from the bottom of my heart!🥰🍉❤️

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