Help take extra special care of an elephant that is close to your heart. 
CURRENT PROGRESS
(updated 2/6/21)
Construction Update
There is always work to be done!
It takes a village
Sanctuary work is never done, which is ok, because it means we’re growing and progress is being made. The new elephant kitchen now has a roof and the cooler is in the midst of installation. Concrete blocks for the walls have been ordered, as have the polycarbonate panels for the last row on the North side, to allow natural light into the building.
Bush-hogging (think giant lawnmower) is being done around the habitat for pasture growth and pre-fire prevention. The roads are also being worked on to ensure the rain doesn’t prevent supplies from arriving.
Construction of the African Elephant Habitat fencing continues. Lines have been laid, holes have been dug, and the second yard is under way. We should have a significant fence announcement next update.
Fencepost Counter
206 fenceposts,
182 with horizontals, as of 2/6/21
Rescue Updates
All for the elephants
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Update on The Mendoza4
(photos and page links below)
Karissa and Chrissy have arrived in Mendoza to begin positive reinforcement training for Pocha and Guillermina’s quarantine. They will not only work with P&G, but will also spend some time with Kenya and Tamy as well. Pocha and Guillermina will need at least 4 weeks of training in order to be ready for their 30-day quarantine. But the elephants ultimately determine how long the process takes.
•••
All of the elephants seem ok, although Pocha seems a little off, possibly due to the recent construction to allow for placement of the transport containers. While working with them, Chrissy and Karissa will keep an eye on their overall well-being, and once the girls are trained for blood draw, they will get samples to assess their general health. Check social media and our blog for updates from Mendoza during this time.
Sanctuary Herd Update
We share daily updates on the girls through our blog posts and on social media (facebook, instagram and twitter).
MAIA
female Asian
After spending a couple of weeks with Mara and Rana, Maia is back across the creek in yard 5. She has been spending most of her time grazing, pond blobbing, and coming for short stints of socializing with Lady and the other girls along the fence. She has an easy-breezy air about her this time of the year.
RANA
female Asian
As part of Rana being a ‘supportive’ friend, she has put on some weight. Between Bambi being underweight and Mara having GI issues, there is always plenty of food around. Unfortunately, Rana doesn’t need it, but is often the one cleaning up the leftovers. Once the other girls get to a healthier weight, Rana will need to go on a diet.
LADY
female Asian
Lady is back in the yards closer to the barn and has started another cycle of foot trimming. Her feet are not trimmed for aesthetics, but for functionality and pain management. Most of the work needed is on her front feet, concentrating on her nails and the areas just behind them. And true to form, she is a rockstar.
MARA
female Asian
Although Mara still has her GI issues, her overall appetite and food consumption has increased. Her intake is still not ‘normal’ for an elephant, but it is the first significant upturn we have seen since her appetite started to diminish over 6 months ago. We will continue with her current regimen.
BAMBI
female Asian
Bambi reintroduction with Mara is going well. Although she was watchful initially, that has subsided into her just being more aware. A significant part of being a herd member is taking other elephants’ needs into consideration and we are very proud of how Bambi has embraced this new responsibility.
Why They Need You
THE CRISIS FACING CAPTIVE ELEPHANTS
Thousands of captive elephants in zoos and circuses around the world are suffering. Year after year of isolation, restraint, malnutrition, abuse, and lack of adequate exercise and proper medical care exact a harsh physical and psychological toll.
In October 2016, we made Elephant Sanctuary Brazil a reality with the rescue of our first two female Asian elephants – Maia and Guida. Five other elephants have called ESB home since then. Our current progress shows that we have come incredibly far, but there’s still a tremendous amount of work to be done.
There are more elephants waiting for a chance at their own healing journeys like the one Maia, Guida, Rana, Ramba and Lady have taken. GSE can provide the expertise and knowledge but we need your support to make sanctuary a reality for other captive elephants.
Together we are part of the solution for captive elephants. We are grateful beyond words to you for giving these elephants the second chance they deserve and are so desperately in need of.
The Formula Is Simple
The sooner we can build, the sooner elephants come to sanctuary.
Keep Caring. Keep Sharing.
Together we are changing everything for these elephants so desperately in need.
