Blog

A Visit to Pupy’s Resting Place

November 3, 2025

Volume up to hear from Michele. When an elephant passes away at Elephant Sanctuary Brazil, we try to pick a place to lay them to rest that was special for them in their lives or is in a particularly beautiful place that suits their spirit. For Pupy’s final resting place, we chose a spot in Yard 5, which is part of the current expansion. It’s just feet from the edge of Yard 2, so Kenya can visit from a short distance away if she decides to do that. 

Her burial place is at almost the highest point in the African habitat. There’s a small plateau before the top and you can look west and see the sunset. There’s a giant fig tree that’s protected from the elephants, so they can’t knock it down, and it’s really quite lovely. Lots of wild animals pass through, particularly tapirs, so the land gets lots of use. 

This video was taken by one of Pupy and Kenya’s caregivers on the evening we buried Pupy. The sunset made us think of Pupy and of all the hope she brought to the world. She gave Kenya a gift she’ll never forget and was given acceptance and respect in return.

Post a comment

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

Comments(28)

  1. REPLY
    Johnny says
    November 3, 2025 at 2:06 pm

    Sending ♥️ thoughts to all the folks at sanctuary. Thank you for taking such loving care of these amazing, incredible creatures.

  2. REPLY
    Ada says
    November 3, 2025 at 2:32 pm

    My heart still hurts from Pupy’s passing. I’ll always remember her and will forever have a special place in my heart. My first beautiful ele girl😔💔

    • REPLY
      Wim says
      November 3, 2025 at 3:42 pm

      Thank you, this feels utterly heartwarming, you’ve created a beautiful resting place for our beloved Pupy. Though the pain and sadness will live for a very long time, this tribute sprinkles new hope and helps to face another day.
      Hopefully Kenya will find some spiritual strength here.

  3. REPLY
    Joey says
    November 3, 2025 at 2:37 pm

    Does Kenya know Pupy is here? Do elephants visit the final resting place of an elephant that has passed away? This is so heartbreaking. I miss Pupy so much and the life she had moved into when she passed away. My heart hurts for Kenya not having her new friend Pupy to share all these wonderful new experiences with as time moves forward. I hope and pray that Kenya will be joined by new elephants at the sanctuary in due time so she will not be alone anymore. I love them so much.

    • REPLY
      Sara says
      November 3, 2025 at 2:39 pm

      Kenya was relatively nearby when Pupy was buried. More than likely she can smell Pupy and knows where she is. Sometimes elephants do visit the graves of their friends. It’s something we do see occasionally.

  4. REPLY
    Sue says
    November 3, 2025 at 2:39 pm

    What a beautiful resting place you have selected. Thank you for sharing the thoughts that went into choosing this spot for our Beloved Pupy. It is perfect. Love and hugs to all. ❤️🐘❤️

  5. REPLY
    Barbara L Smith says
    November 3, 2025 at 2:47 pm

    Rest in peace, sweet Pupy. Again I am in tears.🙏🏽🐘❤️💐

  6. REPLY
    Alejandra Enquin says
    November 3, 2025 at 2:50 pm

    Ay PUPY QUERIDA COMO TE EXTRAÑAMOS! SOS UN SER DE LUZ Y ESTÁS VIVA EN NUESTROS CORAZONES🙏😘🐘❤️

  7. REPLY
    Patricia Richardson says
    November 3, 2025 at 3:05 pm

    So very sad, but so loving and respectful to select such a beautiful spot for her resting space. As others have said, my heart still aches for having watched her as she explored her newfound haven with joy and then suddenly for losing her so soon.

  8. REPLY
    Bill Simpson says
    November 3, 2025 at 3:05 pm

    I wish to thank all of the caregivers and those that support them. They make sanctuary a place for an elephant to be free while they are living and a peaceful place when the essence of life is no longer theirs.

  9. REPLY
    Natalia says
    November 3, 2025 at 3:09 pm

    Lindona!!! vuela alto!!!!

  10. REPLY
    Natalia says
    November 3, 2025 at 3:11 pm

    Pupy linda!!! ahora podes volar alto, libre como el viento!!! y disfrutar de tus atareceres!

    • REPLY
      Terri M. says
      November 10, 2025 at 11:57 pm

      I hadn’t seen any videos for sometime, I saw where Pupy had passed but never heard what she died from, please share what happened to her. Does Kenya know she’s gone, and how she is dealing with the loss of Pupy

      • Sara says
        November 11, 2025 at 12:03 am

        A necropsy was done but we’re still waiting on test results. We’ll publish once we get all the information. Kenya was nearby when Pupy passed, so she’s aware of what happened. We’ve written several posts about Kenya in the past few weeks, detailing how she’s handling things. If you scroll back on the blog, you’ll probably find a few good descriptions.

  11. REPLY
    Carol says
    November 3, 2025 at 4:51 pm

    Such lovely and sweet sentiments. Rest easy darling Pupy girl.

  12. REPLY
    Gigi says
    November 3, 2025 at 5:05 pm

    Thank you for choosing this beautiful resting place for her and for sharing it with us. your respect continues to be shown once an elephant passes on within sanctuary.
    I wonder where Tamy and Kuki’s bodies are… I doubt they are in a respectful place. They weren’t treated well while they were alive so I don’t think they bothered to choose a beautiful place for them like you did for all those who were lucky enough to spend their final days at the Sanctuary. I am still deeply saddened by Pupy’s sudden passing, but you bring comfort to my heart by honoring her in this way.
    Thank you to the whole team. You are truly exceptional people. ❤️

  13. REPLY
    Irene Olson says
    November 3, 2025 at 5:06 pm

    Rip my precious girl! What a beautiful place to rest, my heart is broken that your time was so short at this amazing paradise! You are missed and in our thoughts all the time!😘❤️😢

  14. REPLY
    Jeanine says
    November 3, 2025 at 5:08 pm

    I still miss that girl. R.I.P. Pupy.❤️

  15. REPLY
    JoAnn Merriman-Eaton says
    November 3, 2025 at 5:40 pm

    RIP Pupy. 🐘❤️A beautiful resting place for a beautiful girl. It still makes my heart ache to think of Pupy just learning how to be an elephant, and experiencing Kenya’s acceptance and friendship. Wishing it could have been longer, yet thankful for the time she had enjoying her god given freedom denied her previously.
    Have the results been found for her cause of death yet?

    • REPLY
      Sara says
      November 3, 2025 at 5:41 pm

      We are still waiting for test results. We’ll share everything once we have the info.

  16. REPLY
    Melissa says
    November 3, 2025 at 5:48 pm

    Danke, für diesen wunderschönen Ort, allein für Pupy 😢🐘❤️🍀

  17. REPLY
    Jo Alex SG says
    November 3, 2025 at 6:27 pm

    Pupy lived her last days on Earth surrounded by people who truly loved her and elephants who lit up her days. Many blessings to you all and thank you so much.

  18. REPLY
    Bonnie says
    November 4, 2025 at 1:13 am

    I think Pupy knew she was finally safe and home yes it may have been short but boy she had a good old time and she knew that again Thank you all at the Sanctuary for giving Pupy and all the Elephants a meaningful home

  19. REPLY
    Terry says
    November 4, 2025 at 10:03 am

    Pupy was magical. I felt that from her the moment I saw her. She is greatly missed. My heart and love is wrapped around Kenya and everyone at Sanctuary.
    Have we gotten the necropsy results yet? I may have missed it from prior posts.

    • REPLY
      Sara says
      November 4, 2025 at 12:22 pm

      We’re still waiting on some test results, but we’ll publish once we know more.

      • Terry says
        November 4, 2025 at 8:50 pm

        Thank you Sara. I missed your reply from one of the comments until now. Thanks for answering again.😁

  20. REPLY
    Doe Fowler says
    November 4, 2025 at 1:48 pm

    Such a lovely place to lay one’s head and rest. Eternal rest Princess! Beautiful spot, Scott. Love to all at GSB/GSE! 💛🐘🌈

  21. REPLY
    Beji says
    November 19, 2025 at 10:59 am

    Forever missed. Completely irreplaceable. RIP

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