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Over the past few weeks, we’ve shared stories from caregivers who are revealing their processes of creating a bond with the elephants, since they see a unique side of each girl. As each individual works with a particular elephant, the elephant begins to reveal herself–as long as we are doing our best to stay in-tune with them. Here, Barb–who works often with Guillermina–gives us a peek inside what it’s like to be a primary caregiver for Guillermina, our youngest girl:

Guillermina is the breath of fresh air in this herd. She has the gift of making anyone who sees her smile, and she knows she’s charming. She’s young, full of energy, and sometimes restless, and I think that after living so many years confined in such a small space, it’s natural for her to feel a strong pull to explore as much as possible.

For me, seeing Guille every morning is like having a cup of coffee: it’s a feeling of warmth and, at the same time, an energy boost. She’s that friend who brightens your day when you see her coming.

Guille traveled here with her mother, the only other elephant she knew, and with whom she had the opportunity to take her first steps in the sanctuary. Her mother accompanied her and helped her integrate with the other elephants before leaving. It can’t be easy to discover that there’s a world beyond the stone horizon that held her captive during the first years of her life, and I think it takes a lot of courage to face so many changes. She demonstrates this every day, for example, by learning how to interact with the other elephants.

Fortunately, Maia and Bambi are great teachers for her. They patiently guide her, and when something frightens her (sometimes it’s the song of certain birds or sudden noises), they know how to calm her down by standing tail to tail, all together, or simply by showing her calmness. But they also know how to teach her boundaries, which Guille likes to play with sometimes, resulting in her getting a few brief ear pulls.

We’ve been working together for six months now, and I can think of a thousand incredible experiences we’ve shared. When we first met, I could sense that she might respond well to someone outgoing, since she doesn’t always get to express her big energy when she’s with her older companions.  

On the other hand, my heart was broken: I had just lost a wonderful African elephant friend who had left a void as big as her huge body. And Guille, with her joy, her freshness, and her playful nature, knew how to put every piece of me back in place. That’s why, every day, I hope to give her the best of myself and be that human friend who’s there when she needs me.

Photo of Guillermina carrying her snack