EleFact Friday: Stereotyping Behavior

Since Pocha and Guillermina’s arrival at sanctuary, we’ve shared a little bit in video and text about some repetitive behaviors they have shown. Today, for EleFACT Friday, we want to speak a bit on this and explain what stereotyping behavior means.

Stereotypic behavior is a self-stimulating, repetitive physical movement that elephants exhibit and develop as a response to stressors or an unstimulating environment. It’s possible that you have seen videos of elephants stereotyping without even recognizing the behavior; movements like weaving, pacing, or swaying repetitively in a way that is often labeled as “dancing” are all telltale signs. Pocha and Guillermina, for example, who spent decades living in an environment with very little outside stimuli, have exhibited this behavior, which is unfortunate, yet understandable. This behavior can also be a way of managing stress. For example, upon their arrival at sanctuary, the two girls were suddenly experiencing senses and sights that they had never seen before. As exciting as this was, it was overwhelming, and still can be after a month at sanctuary. We see some of these behaviors present themselves currently, especially in Guillermina.

It is more than normal for these behaviors to persist even after elephants are removed from their sterile or harmful captive environments, although stereotyping has been known to resolve fully or partially at sanctuary. The good news is that we have seen none of this behavior from Pocha since a couple of days after arrival and significantly less of these movements from Guillermina, specifically since she has become more acclimated to sanctuary and has expanded her social circle and explorations; but it is a coping mechanism that she has used for years and will take time to work itself out. This also serves as another reminder of how brave she and her mother have become over the last month – which is so much to take in. We are continually amazed by the steps they have taken physically and emotionally in the face of so many different stimuli and experiences.

Photo: Guillermina in front, Pocha in the rear

Comments(15)

Patricia Aguilar says
June 24, 2022 at 2:07 pm
Pocha and G have indeed been amazingly brave. They must feel as if they’ve been transported to a new planet.
Carol says
June 24, 2022 at 2:09 pm
So encouraging that are newbies are adjusting and expanding their horizons. Calm will prevail🙏🏻💖💖
JoAnn Merriman-Eaton says
June 24, 2022 at 2:24 pm
To think back on Guillermina’s entire life, the only thing she knew was concrete and stone and her mother. Now, she is eating , mingling with new, strange other elephants, sharing her mother with others, the stimulus of surroundings she has never seen before. It is truly amazing that she is not even more overwhelmed. Bless her bravery, and also Pocha’s.
Katherine says
June 24, 2022 at 2:37 pm
This behaviour is also visible in humans , albeit in different ways, who have been abused.
Lori DeHoog says
June 24, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Being an animal trainer since 1960 I have seen similar behaviors in other wild animals.. I was so pleased that the girls entered your sanctuary together. They were never separated even in transport your people arranged that Mother and Daughter could still touch, hear and see that they still had each other. It’s been exceptionally special to be able to observe their progress. Your staff have been wonderful, thoughtful and take the time to keep us informed on their behavior. Thank you for your dedication…..
Eileen L. says
June 24, 2022 at 2:40 pm
So happy they have so little need to display this type of behavior anymore!
Pam says
June 24, 2022 at 3:03 pm
Thank you for these insights!
Beci says
June 24, 2022 at 3:23 pm
This is good to know. I always try to put myself into a similar situation and feel they are doing really well. I do believe them having each other makes a big difference. They are just amazing animals and I love being a part of their journey. Thank you so much for all you do for them and for sharing with us.
Barb says
June 24, 2022 at 3:45 pm
Brave is exactly how I would describe Pocha and Guillermina’s behaviors since arriving at ESB. Beautifully brave are these two!
Wim says
June 24, 2022 at 5:31 pm
Thank you for explaining stereotyping behaviour. Pocha and Guillermina are on this incredible journey hopefully they’ll find their ‘Eden’.
Tammy says
June 24, 2022 at 9:26 pm
Its very heartbreaking that humans do so much damage to animals like these beautiful gentle giants yet thankfully on the other hand loving caring people here at the Sanctuary have given these gorgeous girls a second chance at a happy free beautiful life. This is truly the best place for them to overcome their many years of neglect and abuse! Thank you everyone for your endless hours of hard work providing for these girls now and those coming soon you are amazing and we really do appreciate every one of you! 🐘💞🐘
Debbie Sides says
June 25, 2022 at 2:31 am
Although sanctuary is magical, I don’t expect then to heal overnight. They have time to ease into all that ESB has to offer. So good to see them home..💚
Cristina Vielma says
June 25, 2022 at 2:37 pm
QUE TAL, ES MUY TRISTE VER ANIMALES CON ESA CONDUCTA, ACÁ EN EL ZOO DE BUENOS AIRES HABÍA UN OSO BLANCO, SE MOVÍA DE UN LADO PARA OTRO PETMANENTEMENTE, POR SUERTE POCHA Y GUILLERMINA, TAL VEZ ABANFONRN DEFINITIVAMENTE ÉSTA CONDUCTA PORQUE AHORA TIENEN NOVEDADES A CADA PASO. UN ABRAZO
Cristina Vielma says
June 25, 2022 at 2:51 pm
HOLA 👋 QUE TAL, ALGO ESCRIBÍ MAL, LO ESTOY HACIENDO DE NUEVO. QUIERO DECIR O CONTAR QUE EN EL ZOO DE BS. AS. HACE UNOS 30 /40 AÑOS HABÍA UN OSO POLAR QUE DABA MUCHA TRISTEZA, MOVIÉNDOSE SISTEMÁTICAMENTE DE UN LADO A OTRO, DABA MUCHA PENA. HOY POR HOY VOLVEMOS A AGRADECER A GLOBAL ELEPHSNTS LO QUE HACE POR ESTAS MARAVILLOSAS ELEFANTAS IGUAL QUE LO SON TODOS. SEGURAMENTE ESTARÁN ABANDONANDO ESA CONDUCTA PORQUE SE ENCUENTRAN CON MUCHAS COSAS NUEVAS TODOS LOS DÍAS, OJALÁ LO LOGREN. UN ABRAZO.
SHEILA says
June 26, 2022 at 10:18 pm
ITS SO WONDERFUL TO HEAR THAT POCHA DOES NOT STEREOTYPE SINCE ARRIVING AT SANCTUARY!! POCHA HAS BEEN VERY GOOD AT EXPLORING AND CERTAINLY LOVES THEY MUD BOGS. I NOTE GUILLE HAS BEEN TRYING TO PREVENT POCHA LYING IN THE MUD. GUILLE TRIES TO HERD MUMA AWAY FROM THE MUD BOG. I THINK GUILLE IS VERY WORRIED ABOUT POCHA DISAPPEARING IN THE. I COULD SEE GUILLES ANXIETY. I HAVE NOT SEE STEREOTYPING FROM EITHER ON VIDEOS., HOWEVER, THE LADIES HAD LOTS OF REASON TO SELF SOOTHE IN THE CAVE. AND I THINK IF GUILLE IS DOING STEROYPING AT TIMES IM SURE AS TIME GOES ON SHE WILL LOOSE THIS BEHAVIOR. ONCE SHE LEARNS THE MUD IS GREAT FOR HER SKIN AND THE POND IS GREAT TO RELAX IN PLUS GETS TO KNOW THE PARADISE AND THE OTHER LADIES MORE GUILLE WILL BE AWESOME

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