Blog

It’s World Animal Day and, while our primary focus is on elephants, today we want to highlight the work our incredible team does with assisting native animals. We have a thriving rehabilitation and release program that works with wildlife who live in the region and are in need of medical care–or just a little nurturing until they are old or healthy enough to be on their own. We didn’t initially plan to create such an initiative, but once we arrived in the area, we found there was a need that was not being met. Elephants will always be at the heart of what we do, but making sure local wild animals remain healthy is essential to ensuring the sanctuary thrives. We’re grateful to be residents of this remarkable ecosystem, and we believe we have a responsibility to make sure the surrounding natural world is protected. 

The Cerrado in Brazil is home to an impressive number of species, some of which–like the many tapirs who wander the property–are endangered. The tapirs, along with toucans, macaws, deer, tortoises, anteaters, owls, a Harpy, and a critically endangered Chaco eagle, and many more have found a temporary home at Elephant Sanctuary Brazil. We are constantly improving our facilities and have created a system that allows animals to graduate from safe small spaces to larger enclosures as they heal and become more self-sufficient. Most recently, we were able to release a number of tamandua (or anteaters) who rehabbed with us, and they successfully re-integrated into their forest surroundings. 

We’re fortunate to have experienced such success so far, but we simply need more space to welcome wildlife in need. ESB has an experienced team that has created an integrated plan which includes thorough medical care, environmental research, and awareness of the full range of species in the area. Kat has specialized training in rehabilitation techniques and we have a knowledgeable staff of veterinarians and biologists to care for each animal as they heal. Our philosophy is to encourage the rehab residents to remain as wild as possible, so they are less dependent on (or even friendly with) humans. 

The current enclosures limit our ability to accept more animals for care at one time, and an upgrade of the original enclosures is necessary. The cost to fence in the planned expanded habitat and enclosures is $5,000, and this World Animal Day we’ve set a goal to raise those funds for the future of the animals in our care. The Rick & Michele Palmer Animal Relief Fund will match all gifts up to $2,500–so your donation will go twice as far. We have an opportunity for increased environmental outreach and, as part of the community, we’re dedicated to being a small part of the solution.

Join us in celebrating World Animal Day. Make a gift today.

Photos of (top to bottom): tapir, harpy, tamandua, toucan