We start off this week's episode with the recent news of Kuky, the female African elephant at the Buenos Aires EcoPark, who passed away suddenly. Scott shares more details about how long the permit process has taken for the three female African elephants waiting to come to the sanctuary. Then we go back to May 2022, when Pocha and Guille arrived at the sanctuary but weren’t quite ready to leave their transport crates. After decades in a sterile, subterranean exhibit, the sights, sounds, and...

On October 29, 2024, Aalborg Zoo in Denmark announced that they had euthanized their two female African elephants, Tanja and Mai. Tanja was ill and unresponsive to treatment, but Mai, apart from an arthritic ankle, was otherwise healthy. Yet, the zoo decided to euthanize her as well. In this episode, we discuss the zoo’s justification for this decision and explore the arguments they put forward. This emotional topic weighs heavily on all of us advocating for sanctuary and better lives for...

This week's episode is a little different—and a little shorter! While the podcast team takes a brief break for holidays and work commitments, we didn’t want to leave you hanging. So, enjoy this fun compilation of pre-recording chats, bloopers, and other outtakes, courtesy of our producer Bob. We hope it brings a smile to your face until we’re back with a full episode on November 5th!

It’s finally time to load mother and daughter and literally take them from darkness into light. Scott reveals the final challenges the team faced upon arriving in Mendoza, including incomplete crate training and the need to keep the exact loading date secret, as not all zoo staff were happy to see Pocha and Guillermina leave. The team embarked on their long 5-day journey from Argentina to Brazil. While Pocha and Guille did remarkably well, it was the human elements that posed the greatest...

How are elephants trained, and how do you train two elephants who have never been separated before? Scott and Kat share insights into the training of Pocha & Guillermina, working within the limitations of enclosure size, weather, and the resources available at the zoo. Relocations are often far from straightforward, and GSE faces severe challenges as they get entangled in a game of politics and personal greed when export permits are withheld, with third parties suddenly claiming that...

Join us as we talk about Pocha and Guillermina, the mother and daughter rescued in May 2022 from the Mendoza Eco-Parque in Argentina. Kat and Scott recall their first encounters with these two elephants and the challenges of preparing them for their journey to a new life at the Elephant Sanctuary Brazil. Amidst the zoo's transformation into an eco-parque, Scott highlights the challenges of training two elephants who had never been separated before, while also navigating the obstacles posed...

In this episode we conclude our series on Bambi. Kat and Scott recall how her first months revolved around building friendships. We talk about her role in the trio that were eventually nicknamed Powerpuff Girls, and how after her first rejection by Mara, she learnt to respect the emotional space of the other elephants. We catch up in the present and talk about Bambi’s rise in insecurity due to her gradual vision loss, but stay on a positive note as we learn how Maia has stepped up to be there...

This week we take a detour to talk about the individual recovery stories of our elephants. Sparked by comments from supporters on videos of Guillermina and her interactions with the other elephants, Kat reminds us that, just like with humans, no recovery from trauma is linear or the same. We must not deny each elephant their right to recovery, however different and complex it might be. Guillermina was born into one of the most deprived environments Kat and Scott have ever witnessed in their...

Arriving at the zoo in Ribeirao Preto Scott recalls how much Bambi had changed not only physically but also mentally since he and Kat met her in 2013. She was curious but was spooked by the slightest noise and returned to the darkness of her barn. Scott and Dr. Trish let things flow at Bambi’s pace, letting her know that everyone is listening to her, seeing her insecurities, and respecting her need to take things slower. Eventually in the crate, the team set off on the short 1-2 day trip to...

Bambi is the seventh elephant to call Elephant Sanctuary Brazil her home. Confiscated from the circus, she was first sent to the Leme Botanical Gardens and later on to a zoo in Ribierão Preto; both cities are located in São Paulo state, Brazil. Scott recalls how they first heard about Bambi during their exploratory trip to Brazil in 2013, and how the Leme Botanical Gardens asked them to take Bambi right then. But at the time, the soon-to-emerge non-profit GSE didn’t have a property. Bambi...

In the first of our “Brazilian edition” episodes - our host Nadia is currently in Brazil at the sanctuary - we pick up from last time and continue to talk about Mara’s health. While her GI issues seemed to be getting better and her poop improving in quantity, size & consistency, she started to go off her food. After weeks of limited food intake, Mara laid down, making a large round shape in her abdomen visible. With both Bambi and Rana at her side, Mara recovers and is able to stand...

Decades of unnatural captivity have left their mark on Mara, and in this week’s episode we talk in detail about elephant poop! From the differences in consistency of African and Asian elephant poop, to size and smell, all topics are on the table. Kat and Scott explain how Mara’s stool was not normal for an Asian elephant, showing that she had GI (gastrointestinal) issues going on. Scott recalls the amazement of Mara’s zoo care team when noticing a change in her digestion just a few days...

A few days after Mara’s transport crate arrives at the Buenos Aires Zoo, Argentina and Brazil close their borders due to pandemic regulations. Now, the GSE and zoo teams face the daunting task of transporting Mara to the sanctuary amidst uncertainty. While Mara's care team at the zoo works to acclimate her to the crate under remote guidance from Scott and Kat, all involved also must consider the well-being of the human teams. With a journey spanning 1,710 miles (approx. 2,600 km), the...

Mara’s story is typical of many captive elephants. Taken from the wild, most likely India, she was sold to the circus industry where she was forced to perform in several different circuses. After decades, she was confiscated under the new progressive legislation in South America. Every elephant adapts differently to this unnatural life of captivity, and Scott describes how Mara vented her frustration in aggressive behaviors which continued in the zoo. The Buenos Aires Zoo, Argentina was not...

We start off this week’s episode by catching up on the various wildlife rehab animals under the care of the GSE team, including Stan, the burrowing owl, and his partner—perhaps even boyfriend? Scott and Kat share anecdotes of Lady and her cautious, yet hesitant interactions with the other sanctuary elephants, which, however, has never involved any physical contact. We delve further into Lady’s ongoing health concerns and discuss why foot-related issues used to be the primary cause of death...

After a peaceful first night at the sanctuary, the gates of the barn are opened the next day for Lady to explore her new home. Scott and Kat continue to explain Lady’s way of communicating and how, still today, she expects their full presence and attention when being with her. Listening and paying attention to the most subtle forms of communication is the foundation of sanctuary and trust building. We fast forward to the present day, talking about Lady’s recent health issues and dive into the...

At the zoo, Lady continues to explore the transport container, but sets clear boundaries towards Scott and the team by slamming her head or trunk against the gate in order to keep them away. Lady was labeled an aggressive elephant, but Kat explains that Lady never used physical aggression towards humans, but towards inanimate objects such as gates and fences. Scott recalls Lady’s preference to be left alone, seeming to merely tolerate the humans around her. We follow the caravan as they...

In this week’s podcast, we introduce Lady, the 5th elephant to come to SEB. Her story is all too familiar: stolen from the wild, she was put into the circus, later confiscated under new legislation in South America, and ultimately moved to a zoo ill-equipped to care for her—especially her serious foot health issues.  We pick up her story as Scott recalls his first introduction to her through video, and how miserable and aggressive she appeared. Over a year later, Scott and the team go to the...

“Sanctuary is the highest of highs, and the lowest of lows,” as Scott shared in a previous episode. In this week's emotional episode, Scott recalls opening the gates to Ramba’s yard after her first night at the sanctuary. Witnessing her step out and explore filled everyone with hope and excitement. Later, Ramba had her first encounter with another elephant in decades: a thrilled Rana eagerly awaited her new sister at the fenceline. While everyone anticipated this moment, Kat sheds light on...

Welcome home, Ramba!  (Ramba Part IX) - ❤️ Share the love in our Valentine’s Day fundraiser here. In this week’s podcast, we are on the road with Ramba, on the final part of her journey to sanctuary. Scott recalls that the convoy, escorted by the state police, was going well until the truck suddenly broke down on a hill. This unforeseen incident put a tremendous strain on Ramba. The unaccustomed heat, in comparison to a much cooler Chile, in addition to the tar roads and the lack of wind on...

We left you with two cliffhangers last time, so let's dive in today by learning more about the two new infant anteaters, a part of GSE’s wildlife rehab program. Despite being two different species (a giant anteater and a collared anteater), these youngsters stick together, exploring their enclosure. Stan, the burrowing owl, has a new friend, and the highly endangered crowned solitary (Chaco) eagle we discussed in December arrived safely several weeks ago and is building up strength as it...

In our first episode of the year, we delve into the latest happenings at the sanctuary, including a recent fire that originated from a neighboring property. While not on the scale of California wildfires, it was a significant incident that rallied the local community together in a collective effort to extinguish the flames.  In our elephant update, our focus extends beyond the individual progress of each individual as we explore the captivating dynamics within the entire herd. Witnessing...

Today is our final podcast for this year. We start off by talking about the sanitation and health requirements needed for Ramba before being able to move her to Brazil.  When all of the details were ironed out, Ramba’s quarantine period could begin. With growing autonomy, Kat recalls how, true to her cheeky grandma style, Ramba let her care team know when she would permit blood draws (from her ear) or not. So not to leave you on a cliffhanger, as there is a lot to talk about Ramba’s...

In this week’s podcast, Kat and Scott talk about the challenges of managing the care of Ramba with her remote team in Chile. We cover the years of Ramba’s stay at Parque Safari in Chile, including the nonstop noise from the park’s Dinosaur ride next to Ramba’s enclosure. Additionally, we delve into the charming anecdotes of cute grandma Ramba, who knows exactly how to charm her doting care team.  At the same time, Global Sanctuary for Elephants, then still a very young non-profit...