Side by Side. Happy and Content. ❤️

Rana is living her best life – mornings with Lady, afternoons with Maia. As Lady & Maia both prefer alone time more than Rana does, this works out well for everyone.

Rana’s been happy with her afternoons with Maia. The two are growing closer and more comfortable. Occasionally, we hear Rana trumpet with excitement in the middle of the night. From the tone (it’s an excited-surprised trumpet), the humans who hear it laugh, assuming it’s because she has met up with Maia and is overjoyed about it.

Maia tends to be a dominant elephant. Being dominant isn’t a good thing or a bad thing, it’s just a personality trait that some animals have (including humans). Historically, part of her way of displaying dominance is to take food from others (generally not Guida). Even if she doesn’t want it, sometimes she doesn’t want them to have it either. Maia is very food-oriented, so it’s worth noting that her taking food she wants (or sharing another elephant’s food with them) is different than taking something from another elephant she doesn’t want.

It’s also worth noting that Rana loves old palms. Everybody else is pretty picky and wants fresh palms (which we deliver daily). Once they start to dry out, all the other elephants turn up their noses. Not Rana. Rana is delighted to find a two- or three-day-old palm and start crunching on it.

Rana & Maia’s relationship is continuing to shift as they spend more time together. Caregiver Shirlei recently came upon Rana & Maia in the habitat. They were standing side by side, with their bodies touching. Rana was eating a two-day-old crunchy palm (which nobody would want but her), and Maia was peacefully standing next to her, ignoring the palm. It’s a great example of how their relationship has shifted. The Maia of a year ago would’ve taken the palm from Rana just for the sake of taking it. The Maia she has become is just happy to be standing next to a friend. ❤️

This photo isn’t from that day, but is of Maia & Rana standing side by side, happy and content. Rana is closer.

February 28, 2020

Comments(10)

Muriel Servaege says
February 29, 2020 at 2:24 pm
Maia and Rana look really “happy and content” ? What does Lady do in the afternoons? Doesn’t she resent Maia’s absence?
Rosie P says
February 29, 2020 at 2:42 pm
Such characters! It’s wonderful that Rana and Maia have found solace together. Their hearts were broken after both had lost a best friend. Hopefully, as their friendship grows their hearts will heal……will we see two pond blobs together. I hope so! xxxx
Bobi StaySee says
February 29, 2020 at 2:44 pm
“Rana is living her best life – mornings with Lady, afternoons with Maia.” So beautiful. Each day seems to show a multi-dimensional evolution of the herd, each one finding her place of comfort and companionship; recognizing mood shifts with respect. Space. To have all the space to choose who to be with or be in eye-sight of, or solitude. Safe space. Beautiful.
Barb says
February 29, 2020 at 3:36 pm
So sweet and wonderful to see their relationship grow. I think Rana thinks older dry palms are elephant trail mix :o)
Lori Hoover says
February 29, 2020 at 4:23 pm
That is a terrific picture of Maia and Rana, I can feel the closeness and comfort they’ve developed. I couldn’t be happier for them. It’s great to know that Rana is having happy trumpets in the night, and it’s great to see that Maia is letting this closeness happen, for herself and Rana. Rana sounds the social butterfly, which I am sure she would love, and the situation seems good for Lady as well.
JoAnn in Merriman-Eaton says
February 29, 2020 at 4:37 pm
A WONDERFUL update. It seems lovely, sweet Rana Bug is getting the best part of these friends. I find it amazing and heartwarming how they all are starting to understand the boundaries of the other sister, and respecting them. Thank you once again.
CyrAnn says
February 29, 2020 at 5:48 pm
It’a so wonderful seeing them side by side like this!!!!!!!! Just so heartwarming. And I just feel that in time our Lady Bug will be able to share being in moments like that…….
Carey says
February 29, 2020 at 8:11 pm
How wonderful to see this development and to see how they develop
Kelejan says
February 29, 2020 at 11:04 pm
I look forward every day to read what is happening to our lovely elephants and how they are progressing. by being given complete freedom to choose.
Sallie Robbins-Druian says
March 1, 2020 at 12:47 am
Such fun to read, and to try to get into the minds of these adorable, caring elephants, each with such a distinct personality! Lovely.

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