Help take extra special care of an elephant that is close to your heart. 
CURRENT PROGRESS
(partial update 4/15/22)
Construction Update
There is always work to be done!
Check that off of the list:
We have begun construction on the male Asian habitat. The barn and three stalls in the barn are finished, and we added a retaining wall to protect the structure during rainy season. The first yard’s fencing has also been completed. Though we knew that the fences would be larger than those of the female habitat, it’s quite impressive to see how tall and sturdy they are when they are in front of you. See the photo of Scott and the SEMA representatives above for scale. The pond has been dug in the first yard, so we can see notable progress. The habitat is absolutely beautiful. Our team cut all of the grass before they started any sort of construction, so the entire area is particularly green and lovely. Because of the successful Tamy’s Tomorrow’s campaign, all of our contracted workers and our Elephant Sanctuary Brazil staff are making outstanding progress.
The barn and the first yard of the female African habitat have been completed and will have room for Kenya, Pupy, and Kuky. We will need to expand that habitat shortly after their arrival in order to give them the necessary room to explore, heal, and learn how to be elephants again. You can donate to this expansion through our Room 2 Roam fundraiser or via the general donation page.
Rescue Updates
All for the elephants
•••••
Update on The Mendoza4
(photos and page links below)
Pocha and Guillermina made their journey to Elephant Sanctuary Brazil and arrived on May 6, 2022. The team at Mendoza will now give Tamy access to their old area at the zoo. This new location will allow the staff to begin the training necessary for Tamy to be able to make the journey to sanctuary. Kenya is currently scheduled to come to ESB next (after Pupy and Kuky from the Buenos Aires Ecoparque), as she has some training on required behaviors and needs less time to prepare for transport.
•••
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
Maia is currently spending more time in the vicinity of Mara, Bambi, and Rana. She does enjoy spending time wandering on her own, but she no longer seems as intimidated by Bambi and Mara as she once was. We often see her within meters of one another, and not just at mealtimes – which once was the case. She is continuing to expand her comfort zone and let the other elephants see more of her personality.
RANA
female Asian
Rana was spending a bit of time on her own for a while, but has now rejoined her friends Bambi and Mara – with Maia joining the group more and more often. It’s no surprise that she has been a comfort to Maia as she integrates into the group of three. We think that she’s perhaps getting even cuter these days, which we could never imagine possible before. Her sisters continue to rely on her as a comforting and reliable presence.
LADY
female Asian
Lady has been exploring Yard 5 lately, with access into 1 so she can return to the barn if she chooses. Her wandering is beneficial both physically and emotionally. She’s also become a speedy girl, wandering from Yard 5, to the barn, and then back again with a quickness. The increased circulation helps her feet, while the different scenery, with all of its sights and smells, stimulates her mind.
MARA
female Asian
Mara is returning back to ‘normal’ both in weight and presence. Her appetite continues to be stellar, eating everything she is offered, other than an occasional imperfect carrot or hated beets. She is becoming more accepting of Maia joining the group, not showing much of a response one way or the other. That’s a good sign, considering she was once so wary of Maia’s presence.
BAMBI
female Asian
Bambi, although still super excitable and silly, is starting to mature. She is at a point where the initial excitement of everything new has worn off, she is embracing her life, and starting to look a bit inward. We are restarting training with Bambi, so that she can brush up on some of the behaviors necessary for treatment and evaluation. We’re hoping she can channel some of her excited energy into that, as she does in everyday life.
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 ones Maia, Guida, Rana, Ramba, Lady, Mara, Bambi, Pocha, and Guillermina 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.
