Oh How They Wander

It’s been cool and rainy here, which means all the elephants have been more active during the day and wandering a lot more in general. This trend is especially evident with Mara, who has been exploring so much these past few weeks.

When Mara decides it’s time to wander, she goes without hesitating, frequently leaving Rana (and any other elephants) behind. A few times, Scott has found Maia, Lady, Rana, and Bambi all near the barn in the morning, while Mara is off by herself at the pond in Yard 4.

Mara has continued not to wait for or check in with her friends before wandering off. When she decides that it’s time to head out, she goes pretty quickly. Mara isn’t Bambi fast, but she approaches moderate Bambi speeds sometimes. Maia continues to pop up all over the place, and we’re never sure where she will be. We see Mara and Maia together often, while Rana grazes in another part of the habitat or spends time with Bambi.

In general, with all the rain, everyone has been busy grazing all the luscious greenery. Nobody has been seen dipping into the pond recently, but they are keeping their bodies plenty muddy in an attempt to keep bugs away.

Photo of Mara on the move!

Comments(10)

Debbie Sides says
January 9, 2021 at 1:47 pm
Awe so nice to know the girls are exploring. Is Lady exploring as well?
- REPLY
  Kat Blais says
  January 9, 2021 at 7:11 pm
  Yes, she spent almost a month in the 4th yard, came back to the barn for a couple of weeks, and is now out at the very back of yard 5. 🙂
Katie Howard says
January 9, 2021 at 8:26 pm
GSE Elephants have wanderlust! I “wander” why? (couldn’t help myself! 🙂
This is really great news, not just for Mara but for all the ladies. The more they walk, the healthier and happier they will become – b/c unlike in the wild, when they work up an appetite in Sanctuary, they will always be able to eat more! What a wonderful place! <3
Victoria B says
January 9, 2021 at 8:43 pm
That is so wonderful to hear; especially because she was so joined at the hip to Rana when she first arrived. So happy to see her gain confidence and become even more of herself.
SHEILA says
January 9, 2021 at 11:58 pm
OH. MZ ?LADY IS IN LOVE WITH HER SOLITARY AND GOOD GRAZING IN YD 5 I GUESS? SHE JUST HAPPILY RELAXING BUT IM CONCERNED ANOUT HER TREATMENTS❓DOES HE MOBILE FOOT BATH TRAVEL ON 4 WHEELER TO MZ LADY IN BACK OF YARD 5❓
MARA SEEMS VERY HAPPY GALLOPING AROUND! ITS FUNNY HOW SHE SEEMS TO BE DETACHING FROM RANA ALOT SINCE BAMBI ARRIVED AND OF COURSE RANA WELCOMED BAMBI?‼️ MUST BE PERSONALITY ISSUES COMING INTO PLAY AS MARA WAS GLUED TO RANA FOR 6 MONTHS. AND SHE DID PUSH ?BAMBI ONCE LIKE MARA WAS SAYING
“U KEEP AWAY FROM MY BEST FRIEND”. I WONDER IF THE “ 3 IS ???A CROWD. “PLAYS A FACTOR IN ELEPHANTS TOO ESPECIALLY WHEN THES LADIES LIKELY HAS A BEST FRIEND IN THE CIRCUS LINES‼️
Sallie says
January 10, 2021 at 12:00 am
MISS MAIA, IS THE RESIDENT WHACK-A-MOLE! AND ALWAYS FULL OF SURPRISES . . . WE ALWAYS LOVE SEEING WHAT’S UP HER SLEEVE NEXT!
bo says
January 10, 2021 at 5:53 am
Hello,
Maybe this has often been explained before, sorry if so, but I was wondering about their tusks.
I’ve noticed none of the girls at the sanctuary seem to have tusks, can you explain, or can I read it somewhere on their personal pages?
Is this normal or might it be because of their captivity (they got taken away for ‘safety’ reasons?), or is it because of their age?
I know it has been explained in documentaries and such, various reasons why they think some don’t even grow tusks anymore (extremely sad reasons and I’m sure we all can guess which ones I’m afraid)
The difference between Asians or Africans or those from Sumatra… are probably also very different?
Sorry, long question, was just wondering about the girls at the sanctuary who don’t seem to have tusks.
Thanks already in advance!
- REPLY
  Kat Blais says
  January 10, 2021 at 8:09 pm
  Asian females do not have tusks, they have tushes. Very small tusks that are generally not visible unless they lift their trunks. Although some of them don’t have tushes either. It is something we have talked about before, but we know can be confusing for many.
John says
January 10, 2021 at 8:36 am
Mara on the move! I love it! Just imagining what it’s like for them, after a lifetime of being in small, confined and desolate spaces. Heaven!
bo says
January 11, 2021 at 4:20 am
thanks for the info about the tusks, and tushes 🙂
i think they always looks so cute, those tushes. if they have any.
thanks again Kat!

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