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...

We discuss the most frustrating aspect of Ramba’s rescue- Why did it take so long? We dive into details about permits, including those required internationally by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) but also within Brazil (IBAMA). There is no classification for sanctuaries in Brazil, and no recent elephant imports, which means standards and protocols need to be created. Blood tests on Ramba show she is suffering from the early stages of...

 🎃 Join our Pachyderm Pumpkin Party fundraiser here. This week, we talk about Ramba’s first days at her temporary home after the circus. Scott recalls how Ramba settled into her new home very quickly, enjoying the space, the trees, and the mud. Caregivers assigned to Ramba needed training since they had never worked with an elephant or with protected contact training, which was necessary for the sanitary requirements to import to the U.S.  We also talk about Parque Safari, a small roadside...

Ramba (Part 2) - Today we dive straight into resolving the cliffhanger we left you with last time. Scott admits that talking about Ramba’s rescue from the circus in our last episode really brought up old memories about how difficult the entire operation really was. Under the circumstances, Ramba was fairly relaxed. The rescue team and the circus people were each waiting in their corners for the judge’s ruling to arrive. And when it does, it is a challenge: the colonel of the military police...

Ramba (Part 1) - Known as the “Last circus elephant in Chile”, Ramba was confiscated from a circus due to neglect and abuse. Yet, with nowhere to go, she remains in the custody of the circus. Scott & Kat recall how her rescue really must be credited to the small animal welfare organization, Ecopolis, who had been campaigning for Ramba’s release for years before Scott & Kat arrived on the scene to assist with her actual relocation. Ramba’s move from the circus to her temporary home...

Episode 18 Rana (Part 3) - In our third and final episode on Rana, Scott & Kat share how they truly noticed the lessons Rana had learned about friendship when the sanctuary’s fourth elephant, Ramba, arrived.  Eager not to make the same mistakes as with Guida & Maia, we talk about how Rana kept her exuberance to herself, not wanting to touch Ramba and possibly annoy or scare her. Yet Ramba was looking for guidance to know how to behave from the elephants already at the sanctuary....

Rana (Part 2) - One of our listeners sent us the question, “How do elephants feel about the humans they interact with?” In this episode, we talk about facilitating what an elephant needs on an emotional and physical level without crossing the boundaries of forcing ourselves onto them. Scott and Kat recall how Maia and Guida didn’t ask for much affection from their humans - possibly because of their strong relationship - while Rana is an elephant who does ask for physical contact before her...

Episode 16 Rana (Part 1) - Meet Rana (pronounced Hana), the sanctuary’s third elephant and also a former circus elephant. She arrived at the sanctuary on Dec 21, 2018. Scott recalls how they heard rumours of a solitary elephant living on the grounds of a hotel on the east coast of Brazil. Luckily, the new hotel owner wanted a better life for Rana and so, after a short period of getting used to the transport crate, Scott, Rana, and their team set off on the long journey home.  Solitary for...

Guida & Maia (Part 4) - In this week’s podcast we start off by saying “THANK YOU” to all of our wonderful listeners & introduce the independent Facebook support group ‘Friends of Global Sanctuary for Elephants’. We talk about the connection of physical and emotional healing of Guida & Maia. The sanctuary’s diverse topography of hills, creeks, and grasslands doesn’t only stimulate muscle building, but also reconnects long unused and shut down senses of sight, smell, and hearing,...

Episode 14 Guida & Maia Part III - Kat & Scott share more stories on Guida & Maia’s development from who they were upon arrival at ESB (Elephant Sanctuary Brazil) and who they really are. Scott recalls how today Maia, after her nightly explorations, falls into her morning-zombie mode, often napping in the treatment chute, though it was initially a place that caused shaking from fear and anxiety. Listening and understanding what Maia was communicating was vital to building up...

Episode 13 Guida & Maia (Part 2) - Kat & Scott share their memories of Guida & Maia’s first steps off the transport crates after a safe and smooth journey to the sanctuary. Due to their difficult relationship, Guida & Maia spent their first night in separate stalls in the elephant care center. Yet it seemed that the magic of sanctuary had already enveloped the two elephants, as Kat recalls her and Scott sleeping on hay bales next to the care center and being woken up...

Episode 12 Guida & Maia (Part 1) - Female Asian elephants Guida & Maia, ex-circus elephants, were the first who got to experience the magic of sanctuary in Brazil. Confiscated from the circus but with no suitable place to go, they had spent 5 years chained up on the prosecutor’s farm. Scott & Kat share their first encounters with the two elephants and how, through observation, they began to understand each individual’s character. Big, bossy Maia, dubbed the “bad elephant” by the...

Episode 11 Developing the property for the first elephants - The magnificent property is secured, but the pressure is still on with the sanctuary’s first elephants Guida & Maia waiting for their happy end. Learn how Scott & Kat explored the property on foot as there was no money for a 4-wheeler or car - with the main focus being to find the ideal area for building the female Asian habitat. Despite years of experience in building elephant barns, Scott shares how things are done...

Episode 10 Meet the Team - Rebecca Rodriguez -  In today’s podcast we have Rebecca Rodriguez, Development Director for GSE, as our special guest. As a non-profit organization, GSE’s work relies on private donations and grants, and Rebecca talks about how this work to make the magic of sanctuary possible is very close to her heart. She also shares her insights and impressions of her first ever visit to the sanctuary. Find out about a toad who loved to live in her boots and two unexpected late...