Blog

In Memoriam: Share Your Thoughts on Pupy

October 11, 2025

Female African elephant Pupy walks toward the camera with trees and greenery in the background

We’ve had an outpouring of support and shared sorrow from many of our sanctuary family. Pupy made an impact on thousands across the world and she never even knew–though we believe that she could feel the positive energy across the miles. We’ll continue to share our thoughts about Pupy as the days go by–and we will send updates on how Kenya is doing. We’ve created an In Memoriam page for those of you who would like to share your thoughts and memories of Pupy, sort of a virtual guest book. It will always remain posted so we can honor her life for all the days to come.

https://globalelephants.org/in-memory-of-pupy/

Post a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments(39)

  1. REPLY
    Mara Parker says
    October 11, 2025 at 4:07 pm

    My heart is broken that Pupy is gone so soon. But, she experienced so much love and care at the sanctuary and passed surrounded by love. My condolences to all who knew her and gave her so much joy in the last chapter of her life on Earth.

    • REPLY
      Joanna says
      October 11, 2025 at 7:20 pm

      Pupy lived a lifetime of love and care in your hands, time is relative it knows no boundary. All for Good, all for One, all for Love.
      RIP dear spirit. Have many happy reunions with your ancestors.

  2. REPLY
    Monica says
    October 11, 2025 at 4:07 pm

    La repentina muerte de nuestra amada Pupy, nos debe enseñar que los animales deben estar junto a los suyos y en sus respectivos hábitat.
    NUNCA MÁS SEPARAR A LAS CRÍAS DE SUS MADRES Y DE SUS MANADAS!!
    Y GRACIAS A USTEDES, ELLA PUDO DISFRUTAR UN POQUITO DE LA LIBERTAD QUE SE MERECÍA DESDE HACIA MUCHO TIEMPO!!
    AHORA, ESTARÁ LIBRE Y FELÍZ EN LA MANADA DEL CIELO!!!
    GRACIAS A SCOTT Y KAT, Y A TODOS LOS INTEGRANTES DEL SANTUARIO POR LA MAGNÍFICA LABOR QUE HACEN!!!!!

  3. REPLY
    J Johnson @jmjinsincity says
    October 11, 2025 at 4:16 pm

    Just devastating news. So incredibly sad for Kenya & all at GSE/ESB. All I can think is that she was free the last 6 months of her life. Kenya, who did not have any friends for so many years, has now lost Pupy. So reminiscent of Ramba, Pocha & Lady who only had but a few months to experience freedom. So many tears 💔

    • REPLY
      Ana Ramirez says
      October 11, 2025 at 7:08 pm

      Mi corazón está totalmente destrozado por esta devastadora noticia. Era hermoso verte en libertad. Pupy hermosa, siempre estarás en nuestros corazones💔🐘.

  4. REPLY
    Karen Jones says
    October 11, 2025 at 4:18 pm

    She knew her only moments of freedom and love due to your devotion. And she knew the friendship and love of another elephant. Rest in peace, Pupy.

  5. REPLY
    Claudia says
    October 11, 2025 at 4:50 pm

    Que triste noticia… Querida Pupy, ya descansas en la paz del Santuario. Esa paz y vida plena que la estupidez, desidia e ignorancia humana te quitaron. Ya disfrutas de la libertad completa junto a tu manada que partió antes. Gracias @sanctuary4elephants por devolverles la dignidad de vivir como se merecen. Adiós, Pupy

  6. REPLY
    Heidi says
    October 11, 2025 at 5:06 pm

    Heartbroken to lose this spunky girl. I have enjoyed following her journey to sanctuary and her growing friendship with Kenya. It’s a blessing that she at least experienced a taste of space, freedom, nature, and companionship before she passed, thanks to GSE.

  7. REPLY
    Beverly Roy says
    October 11, 2025 at 5:14 pm

    As tears roll down my cheeks, I will truly miss you. I will see you and be able to talk and walk with you when the time comes. Until then I will keep you in my heart with the comfort of knowing you are now alive without any pain, visiting all the other animals and enjoying eternity. God has you now, I no longer have to worry. I will miss you sweet girl.

  8. REPLY
    Jane Kenyon Bell says
    October 11, 2025 at 5:20 pm

    Darling Pupy I am so sorry that you have left us but I am so grateful for everyone who made it possible for you to spend your last months in Sanctuary, being cared for as you should. I am so happy that you and Kenya become friends – leading to sisterhood – and I know that she will miss you as we all do. I know you will find Kuky and all the girls who went before you. RIP you beautiful girl.

  9. REPLY
    Julie says
    October 11, 2025 at 5:33 pm

    I believe, Pupy, you are in heaven with Lady, Pocha, Shirley, and all the other elephants we’ve loved. Your soul is free of pain now. You did this life the best you could under these circumstances. Please carry Kenya in your heart forever. She will always need you as a friend. Always remember you are loved. Farewell, sweetheart.

  10. REPLY
    June says
    October 11, 2025 at 6:42 pm

    Puppy…you were the very first African elephant in sanctuary. I loved you from the moment I saw you!
    Rest in peace dear Pupy!!

  11. REPLY
    Susan says
    October 11, 2025 at 6:51 pm

    May Pupy’s memory be a blessing 💔

  12. REPLY
    Mariana says
    October 11, 2025 at 7:17 pm

    No puedo parar de llorar. Seguí su viaje y llegada al Santuario, su disfrute de la vida en libertad. Hermosa y dulce Puppy, estoy desconsolada. Abrazo enorme a todo el equipo del Santuario 💓

  13. REPLY
    Lynne Russert says
    October 11, 2025 at 7:21 pm

    My heart is shredded. It’s not fair to live thru years & years of unbearable treatment & confinement, then FINALLY finding a caring & loving home, to passing away so soon after freedom. Pupy & Pocha left far too soon. But I’m comforted they both spent their last months happy & getting to enjoy being an elephant again, making friends & in Pocha’s
    case, knowing her daughter was safe & happy. RIP Angel 😇 💔. You are so loved & will be so missed. God please watch over this special lady. Scott, Kat & staff, thank you for all you do for these guys. ❤❤❤

  14. REPLY
    Alida says
    October 11, 2025 at 8:25 pm

    My beautiful Pupy, I can’t believe you have gone, it’s heartbreaking🥹 you had such short time to enjoy your new home, and your freedom. I really thought you would be with us much longer, but I’m thankful you knew love, care and dignity in your last months of your life. I can’t imagine how heartbreaking this must be for Scott, Kat and the Team at Sanctuary, thank you for loving and caring for this beautiful girl. RIP sweetheart. I will love you forever sweet Pupy ❤️🐘❤️

    • REPLY
      Barbara RANGHETTO says
      October 12, 2025 at 5:40 am

      Passano le ore e leggo e rileggo per vedere se sia proprio vero… Dall’ITALIA Ti seguivo, sognando di sfiorare la Tua proboscide. Un tocco gentile. PUPY dolce e maestosa elefantessa. Sei stata amata. Continuerai ad esserlo. State vicino a KENYA. 🩶🐘

  15. REPLY
    Patricia says
    October 11, 2025 at 8:41 pm

    I’m devastated by this news. My deepest sympathy to all at ESB who helped Pupy and knew and loved her. This is very hard. My heart goes out to her new friend Kenya as well. 💔🐘💔

  16. REPLY
    Marcela H says
    October 11, 2025 at 8:47 pm

    Todos los días entraba a las redes esperando noticias sobre la dulce Pupy. Mi portada de Facebook es una foto de ella en libertad. Hoy al enterarme de su partida me angustié mucho, solo pudo disfrutar 5 meses de toda esa naturaleza. Ella ahora es verdaderamente libre.
    No sé por qué pero siento un amor inmenso por ella, hoy se los decía a mis hijas.
    Escribo mientras se caen lágrimas de mis ojos. Pupy eterna ♾️❤️

  17. REPLY
    Ada says
    October 12, 2025 at 12:38 am

    Rest easy sweet girl. So many of us are devastated and shocked of your passing. Wish you had many more years living a life you’ve always meant to have in a beautiful home with humans who loved and cared for you. Your were the reason I followed GSE. I watched and waited for you to come out of the crate. I ‘adopted’ you. My heart is broken. Just when you and Kenya were getting close…You will be missed Pupy. I love you sweet girl. We’re grieving with you Scott and the rest of your team. I hope Kenya is doing well. Sending her virtual hugs.

  18. REPLY
    Patti Anderson says
    October 12, 2025 at 12:41 am

    I did comment October 11th but it wasn’t published.

  19. REPLY
    Clau says
    October 12, 2025 at 2:47 am

    Estoy tan triste! Amo a los animales en general, a los elefantes, a las nenas asiáticas del santuario, a Kenia, pero por Pupy conocí al santuario me marco su traslado, me movió todas las células de mi ser, ella es mi elefante favorito en todo el mundo, no puedo creer que no esté más, que no vaya a verla mas, básicamente para saber de ella entro en instagram, lo lamento mucho por ella, tenía derecho de disfrutar más tiempo su nueva hermosa vida, lo lamento por Kenia sola de nuevo, lo lamento por ustedes y su dedicación a ellas, no entiendo nada, es tan injusto esto, estoy destrozada! 😞😭💔😭😭😭

  20. REPLY
    Catherine says
    October 12, 2025 at 3:57 am

    To all the staff at GSE/ESB & beautiful Kenya.
    Thankyou for all you did for dear sweet Pupy.
    How lucky she was to be rescued & brought to the sanctuary. My prayers are with you.

  21. REPLY
    Fizzy says
    October 12, 2025 at 4:29 am

    Literally heart breaking news, tears are pouring down my face. I can’t believe she’s gone after only a breif spell of freedom and love.#RIPPupy

  22. REPLY
    Barb Squibb says
    October 12, 2025 at 5:28 am

    So devastating to hear about darling Pupy. Such a short time at sanctuary but she packed so much in. A new friendship with Kenya was beginning to blossom. She deserved to live a long a happy life but sadly it wasn’t to be. I hope Kenya will be ok. RIP Pupy. Fly high gorgeous girl 💔💔

  23. REPLY
    Natalia Chavez says
    October 12, 2025 at 7:45 am

    Esta noticia fue demasiado triste. He llorado muchísimo.. Una profunda tristeza pensando en tantos años de vida en cautiverio y de las profundas heridas que le dejaron a Pupy. Tristeza porque somos responsables de tanta miseria y sufrimiento animal.
    Siempre he tenido un cariño especial por los elefantes. Nunca los he visto en zoológicos ni en libertad. Pero siempre me ha llegado de manera especial lo que los elefantes representas. Animales enormes con tanta bondad y amor..
    El traslado de Pupy del eco parque al santuario lo encontré por casualidad en el Instagram. Pero ese momento selló mi gran amor hacia los elefantes. Lo seguí todo no me perdí de nada. Lloré y me alegré de que por fin tendría una vida en libertad.
    Y hoy esta noticia destroza el alma. Pero tenemos la certeza de que en este corto tiempo pudo disfrutar de ser un animal libre de conocerse a si mismos en libertad. Gracias Santuario por haberla acogido y cuidado hasta su último suspiro.
    Gracias Pupy por enseñarnos la nobleza y la felicidad en las pequeñas cosas…

  24. REPLY
    Israly Aponte says
    October 12, 2025 at 7:49 am

    🕊️🕊️❤️❤️

  25. REPLY
    Rae says
    October 12, 2025 at 7:56 am

    Rest in well-deserved peace, Pupy. You were making a beautiful life at Sanctuary and beginning to trust Kenya’s care and love. Condolences to all at Sanctuary and all friends of Pupy, especially Kenya.

  26. REPLY
    Paula Pepe says
    October 12, 2025 at 8:29 am

    Ay Pupy creo que todos estamos muy tristes porque no pudiste disfrutar más de tu vida en libertad. Verte acá en Buenos Aires tan triste y ver tu cambio en libertad fue una felicidad inmensa y más inmensa se volvía viendo como iban generando un vínculo con Kenia, con todo lo que implicaba Me quedo con que pudiste disfrutar y conocer tu vida en libertad y que al final pudiste ser una elefante dejándote cuidar por una de las tuyas. 🤍

  27. REPLY
    Emily says
    October 12, 2025 at 9:53 am

    I’m so sorry about Pupy! What did she die of? (I accidentally deleted a big batch of email)

  28. REPLY
    Pamela Hall says
    October 12, 2025 at 1:58 pm

    Such a sad, typical story true to captive elephants. My heart breaks for her. But, this is the exact reason GSE exists. She had a taste of ease,freedom and true human love. Bless you all.

  29. REPLY
    Martha says
    October 12, 2025 at 3:02 pm

    This is so heartbreaking. How so very sad. Sad for all the other girls and sad for sanctuary team. God bless you all for everything that you do 🙏🏻

  30. REPLY
    Anna says
    October 12, 2025 at 6:36 pm

    Beatriful girl Pupy will always be in our hearts , many thanks and all my love goes out to everyone who devote there lives there passion to helping our magnificent animals they have the right to be free , safe, loved and respected . We all have a responsibity to stop the cruelty

  31. REPLY
    Sol says
    October 12, 2025 at 10:47 pm

    Thank you, Pupy, I learn from you a lot. I wil love you forever 😘

  32. REPLY
    Miz Forbez Music says
    October 13, 2025 at 8:13 pm

    Pupy you were one of a kind, and I’m so grateful that I got to know you (from a distance) even for a short time. You’re love and personality will remain in our hearts. So glad you knew the depth of love and friendship before you passed.

  33. REPLY
    Richard Chiger says
    October 14, 2025 at 10:35 am

    Pupy’s passing is more than sad. Now my feelings go to Kenya, who should not have to live alone. If there is not another African elephant that needs rescue in South America, then introduce Kenya to the Asian elephants. There are so many places that keep them together and nothing bad happens. That way she will not be loney and she will have companionship. The elephant who was my friend, Fritha, lived with Myitcha, an African elephant and they were great friends.

    • REPLY
      Sara says
      October 14, 2025 at 12:12 pm

      There are a number of elephants in South America still in need of rescue, including African elephants. We’re always at different stages of communication about many elephants, so we can’t give a timeline.

  34. REPLY
    Doe Fowler says
    October 14, 2025 at 7:47 pm

    Dear Pupy, your Spirit lives on! The journey from Kruger, South Africa so many decades ago must have been overwhelming and devastating. You were only 3 years old. Why were you taken away from your herd? Why was your move from South Africa to South America even allowed in the first place? Why do such practices continue today? How do we make it stop? So many questions dear friend that your Spirit may help us with down here. We need your help, so please sound the trumpets in Heaven! I have been to your Earthly birthplace and its beautiful, expansive, and wild beyond measure. I find peace in knowing you passed on in a beautiful, expansive, and mostly wild environment surrounded by beings that loved you and a special African Elephant friend, Kenya. Thank you for allowing me to witness your transformation and to be part of your virtual Herd at Sanctuary Brazil. I can only imagine what your Heavenly Home is like, but I sure hope to know and to meet you there in Spirit someday. Love you. Princess!

  35. REPLY
    Mary says
    October 26, 2025 at 1:56 pm

    💙

Global Sanctuary for Elephants

  • PO Box 2426
  • Brentwood, TN 37024
  • (615) 435-9523

Stay connected with our herd

MISSION: Protecting, rescuing, and providing sanctuary for elephants worldwide.

Global Sanctuary for Elephants is a 501 (c)(3) tax exempt, public charity status (EIN 46-3564818) and all contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

© Global Sanctuary for Elephants. All Rights Reserved