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EleFact Friday: Safe Spaces To Heal

In our recent updates on Pocha and Guilliermina, we’ve received quite a few questions about whether the two are returning to the barn after their explorations in the yards. We wanted to take the opportunity to not only answer the question, but examine the idea that elephants have “safe spaces” where they often return. 

When Pocha and Guillermina arrived at the sanctuary, they quickly found comfort within the elephant care barn. As we’ve seen their behaviors evolve over the last few weeks, it seems that in moments of overwhelm or simply just tiredness, they return to the barn to re-charge and find their comfort. 

Recently, we caught a moment of Rana joining Pocha and Guillermina during some of their downtime in the barn. The three met outside with some excitement, but Pocha and Guillermina seemed to need a break and retreated into the barn after some touching. Eventually, Rana came inside and the two girls seemed to go from “Hey, what are you doing here?!” to “Oh, you’re in here too…” They were no longer particularly excited, although they didn’t dismiss Rana in any way. Guillermina surprisingly seemed to be more interested in Rana’s presence. The mother and daughter duo eventually exited the barn and down to the mud wallow, where Rana joined them as well. 

The three of them sharing space in the barn together was quite a big step and Rana seemed like the perfect choice to encourage them to push their boundaries. Her more passive nature allowed for Pocha and Guillermina to remain comfortable in the space where they feel safest and most comfortable, while still engaging in something new. Lady also tends to show us similar behavior with her comfort in Yard 5; it’s the place where she seems to return to when things get to be a bit “too much” or when she needs a break. This behavior is somewhat normal in captive elephants and allows for the elephants to exhibit some autonomy in their choices by letting us know what space works for them and when. 

Comments(7)

  1. REPLY
    Andy says

    They seem calm and comfortable.

  2. REPLY
    Pam says

    So lovely to see the start of community for Pocha and Guillermina. Thank you so much, Scott, Kat, and all, for your kind and patient work with these beautiful beings!

  3. REPLY
    Sheila says

    OH YES INDEED POCHA AND GUILLE FEEL MORE SECURE IN THE BARN AS THE ONLY EVER KNEW THE CAVE WALLS IN ARGENTINA, AND IM SURE THEY ACCEPTED THEIR HOME. I BELIEVE THE LONG TIME IT TOOL THESE 2 LADIES TO GET COMFORTABLE WITH THE CRATES! SO IMO GUILLE AND POCHA ARE STILL GETTING USED TO FREEDOM IN PARADISE. THE GOT SURPRISED WHEN LIL LADY CAME TO GREET, SO LADY LEFT AND NOW DOESNT BOTHER THEM. BUT RANA THIS SWEET LOVING MATRIARCH WANTS P&G IN HER HERD. SHE WILL GIVE THEM TIME. AND THEY WILL NEED MORE TIME I THINK

  4. REPLY
    Zoi Flores says

    This’s so interesting! To me it’s like the girls agreed to meet P&G in a casual way to avoid overwhelming them and later on Rana Bug would start doing her work. Thank you for this update as in the video we could only see them in the mud willow.

  5. REPLY
    Tammy says

    Rana being herself taking the big sissy lead is so heartwarming she just wants to help any way she can she understands what they’re really going through in so many ways not to mention it helps her feel special! 😘🐘💞

  6. REPLY
    Wim says

    The new threesome. Healing spaces are so important.

  7. REPLY
    John says

    I loved your interpretation of P & G’s attitudes; “They went from ‘What are you doing here?’ to ‘Oh, you’re in here too.” That gives them personalities. It’s like a soap opera. As The Sanctuary Turns.

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