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When we talk about the elephants here at Elephant Sanctuary Brazil, we emphasize that the girls’ relationships with one another are much more important than their relationships with caregivers. Some of the most meaningful moments of our day are those when we see the elephants lost in nature and in each other’s company. This year, we’re using Elephant Appreciation Day to express how much the elephants at ESB (and many more before) give to us, not just today, but every day.

We can’t deny how much every single elephant who has crossed our path has impacted us in ways both large and small. We see the ease that Rana and Mara have with each other and that makes us grateful for the old friends in our lives; Guillermina’s growth after her mother Pocha’s death gives us hope for our own renewal; Bambi’s strength in the face of physical challenges inspires us to get up and go on the days when our bones might ache more than usual; Maia opening up to Bambi after such a long time on her own demonstrates that true healing is possible if we’re brave enough to embrace it; Pupy and Kenya’s unabashed joy and wonder at their new home reminds us to look at the world with fresh eyes and appreciate even the simplest of things. Perhaps most importantly, all of them have taught us how to listen–to them and to each other. 

This video of Scott and Rana (taken a while back) expresses how deeply grateful we are to have such open and empathetic souls in our lives. The elephants owe us nothing and yet they still find it within themselves to give us the world.