EleFact Friday: Why Protected Contact?

Veterinarian Kat Blas stands on the left side of a fence, across from Asian elephant Guillermina

Many of our supporters know that a big part of sanctuary is honoring the autonomy and boundaries of elephants. For today’s EleFact Friday, we want to speak more about protected contact, what it means, and how it safeguards everyone here at Elephant Sanctuary Brazil. We’ve mentioned before that many of our videos are taken at a distance and some have asked why that is, so we thought it would be helpful to explain more about the importance of respecting space.

A sanctuary that operates under protected contact means that there is an emphasis put on the safety of both humans and animals – physical and emotional safety. There is always a considerable distance or physical barrier between us when we are out in the habitat or are performing physical interactions with the elephants, like training, treatments, or just giving affection. This management style is imperative to how we operate as a sanctuary. Our sanctuary, and our sanctuary philosophy, prioritizes the elephants and the relationships they have with each other, rather than our relationships with them. Even though they live in captivity, elephants are still wild animals, and we do our best to treat them as such. Providing them their own space and a physical barrier allows them to heal.

Many captive elephants have had issues with humans not respecting their boundaries for most of their lives, and this system provides a home that they learn belongs to them. For elephants with aggressive pasts, understanding this separation exists can allow them to relax and not feel threatened or like they have to worry about adjusting their own behavior, and they let their guard down, encouraging healing. Our facility designs and our approach are made with the most damaged elephant in mind. So while some elephants might be more open to constant human presence, many are not, and we have to create a space where they are able to thrive as well.

Human relationships can then be developed on the elephant’s terms, rather than the human’s. We do offer affection, but only if an individual indicates they want it; elephants are not meant to be at our disposal and should have the ability to control when they are touched. While the ladies are very huggable and loveable, this ensures that we aren’t just walking up and touching them because of how good it makes us feel and what we want, but that it is also something they are looking for in that moment.

There are some sanctuaries and organizations that operate with other philosophies, and this is not about whose approach is better. Different organizations have different goals, with elephants of varying ages and backgrounds, who are recovering from trauma and have needs that are unique to them. At Elephant Sanctuary Brazil, we do what we think is best for the elephants in our care, to promote their individual healing.

Photo of Kat working with Guillermina

Comments(11)

Rocío says
September 19, 2025 at 2:27 pm

I think that some people think elephants as dogs. But they are big wild animals that should never have left the wild. Thank you for give them the opportunity to heal, your work is amazing 🙂
Ada says
September 19, 2025 at 2:35 pm

RESPECT🥰
Beci says
September 19, 2025 at 2:59 pm

I really like how your approach is. I think it’s so respectful of the elephants. Of course we all would love to give them love and have that close encounter but that’s just to satisfy our needs and wants. Ty for always putting the elephant first and being in touch with how they communicate with you
Barbara L Smith says
September 19, 2025 at 3:49 pm

The best approach is that approach which works best for you. Thank you for the hard work and dedication in the healing and caring for these magnificent elephants.🙏🏽🌹
Wim says
September 19, 2025 at 4:29 pm

Thank you, that’s a wonderful lesson in healing tormented souls. I’ve been watching the girls for years, and it shows how they grow back into the free personalities they should’ve been from birth. 💯
Johnny says
September 20, 2025 at 10:44 am

Thank you! Over the years I’ve read about staff at sanctuaries being killed accidentally by elephants who, just because of their sheer size can end a life quite suddenly and unexpectedly.

I understand, also, the philosophy of respecting the elephant and their development. It makes complete sense to me, especially with the vast space you have there. Let them decide what their world and their life is going to be.
Julie says
September 21, 2025 at 12:51 am

I’m really glad I read this. That 3rd and 4th paragraph are amazing. Thank you!
Maria José Agostinho says
September 23, 2025 at 1:56 am

I have had little time to reply and thank you for all the posts/messages/ emails

I squizzed some time now to try to give you back some of the beautiful consideration you give to me

I Just read the post about their time together – the girls. Now I read this one about privacy, space, protected contract

I understand what you mean and I feel so proud of you, the whole team. No, the word is not proud, I feel so happy with GSE.

I have written before and I will do It again, there are so many layers of educational, emotional, cognitive and spiritual perspectives that GSE touches that It would take a book to explain all.

Muito obrigada!
Kathy says
March 6, 2026 at 11:03 pm

Thank you so much for explaining your philosophy; I’m sure it is immensely productive for the elephants, esp those that have been exposed to abuse by humans.

I’m aware that you have one or more elephants that haven’t integrated well with other elephants. Since elephants tend to be social by nature do these loners reach out to the humans for affection at times? At other sanctuaries a lot of the elephants seem to show affection for their caretakers but this may be learned behavior to get treats.

Thank you for all of your hard work taking care of these animals.
- REPLY
  Sara says
  March 6, 2026 at 11:41 pm
  
  Relationships are nuanced and can go back and forth, like with Bambi and Mara, or the elephant might prefer her own company, like Lady. We always follow their lead and that means letting them decide how much affection and interaction they want with us. Of course, we love interacting with them, but it’s not about what we want. It’s about what they need. And it’s true that captive elephants are often drawn to humans because they associate people with food. Guille many times will head toward the 4-wheelers here, in hopes of a snack.
  - Kathy says
    March 7, 2026 at 4:12 am
    
    Thank you for your reply! It must be hard not to reach out and touch them since that is human nature. It’s really generous how you put their needs first always.

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