Because of a request, we are sharing this private update. We have an ‘Ele-Guardian’ program that allows you to adopt one of the girls and receive special monthly updates that only guardians see. After Guida’s passing, this is part of what was sent out to her guardians. Although we never share their special updates, we were asked to do so for this one. So here it is…..
Guida is part of Elephant Sanctuary Brazil and always will be. Her and Maia were the first, and even after decades working with other elephants at sanctuary, they still opened us up to even more. Now and again you meet an elephant that seems like an old soul, understands the bigger picture, and seems to comprehend that no matter what happens, things will be ok. Often it seems those are the elephants whose lives seem to be cut short, and they leave before what we feel was their time. In Tennessee, it was Barbie, and here it is Guida. Every elephant is unique in their own way, and we finally truly understood how parents could say they don’t have a favorite because each touches a different part of your soul. But some stand out for shaping the world around them. We know Guida’s spirit will always live on here, but selfishly, we miss her smile and gazing into her soulful eyes.
Although we will see Guida in many parts of the sanctuary, the biggest will be in the gifts that she gave to Maia. In the past, Maia had treated Guida with a brutality that is only manifested in the horrors of captivity. After decades of a very unhealthy relationship, Guida was able to let go of her distrust, her fear, and her anger towards Maia and allow her into her heart to become friends. We’ll never forget how tentative Guida was to reach out towards Maia, through a set of bars, as she walked off of the trailer at the sanctuary for the first time. She barely let her touch the very tip of her nose before she pulled away. Scott and I slept at the barn that night (and many after that) and laid in complete darkness as we listened. They started to talk to one another softly, then began with vocal celebrations and silliness around 1 in the morning, which would erupt every hour or so. When we woke with the sun, they were standing side by side, up against the dividing gate, holding one another — decades of struggle forgiven in under 12 hours. That was the beauty of Guida.
Guida’s love and gentle lessons continued throughout those first months. She offered her friend companionship, joy, and confidence to explore their new life, to trust that things had finally changed and they could leave all of the trauma and hurt behind. When Maia would struggle, Guida was there. When Maia started to fall back towards her comfort emotion, anger, Guida would simply walk away. It was her way of letting Maia know, without violence, that Maia had the choice to act out, but if she did, she would have to do it alone. Guida seemed not to be concerned about her own healing, but about that of her sensitive sister who had never let life in and always protected herself from the bad by keeping everything at a distance. Maia trusted Guida enough to let her in and that created enough space in her heart for the rest of us.
It’s not that Guida on her own wasn’t beautiful, on the contrary, she had an inner light that shone through even on her worst days, one you couldn’t help falling in love with. But it is the gifts that she gave to others that will undoubtedly live on. Through her reawakening our dormant awareness of the depth and connectedness of elephants, to her healing of Maia, and the gifts that will allow Maia to pass on to all of the elephants who follow. She will forever shape the sanctuary, and although we provided her with a new life, we could never repay the gifts she gave to all of us. ❤️
July 8, 2019
Comments(8) 







- PO Box 2426
- Brentwood, TN 37024
- (615) 435-9523







- Ways to Support
- GSE Merchandise
- Privacy Policy
Title USD
Linda Lalonde says
July 8, 2019 at 5:22 pmThank you so much for sharing, and thank you to the Guardians for requesting it. That was very special to read.
Sherry says
July 8, 2019 at 10:56 pmYour character follows you all of your life!
I love Maia.
Debbie Sides says
July 9, 2019 at 4:57 amThank you for sharing this. Sanctuary allows them to be free and they allow themselves to finally feel safe to live rather than just be in survive mode. Thank you for helping them by creating ESB. They have choices which some people take for granted not knowing captive life. ESB is paradise on earth.
Shirley says
July 9, 2019 at 6:34 amThank you for sharing that with us Guida was special.
Maggie says
July 9, 2019 at 12:23 pmThank you so much for sharing this. It is a wonderful read that had me in tears again. I shall become a member of the ele guardians ASAP. Funds a little low at the moment. ??????
Rachel Bose says
July 9, 2019 at 5:08 pmThank you to the Guardians for allowing this to be shared. Guida not only helped Maia overcome so much she taught me how to show others (aka humans) how to be themselves, how actions always speak louder than words, and however justified they might feel in showing negative emotions or acting in a negative way their is always another way to get your point across that would have more impact than a punch. I realised she was one wise woman who knew her path to freedom would be hard won; but she made her life count, and her name will always be associated with “The Truth, The Way and The Light” – say the truth no mattter what the reaction , follow the way no matter how hard the struggle – teach others along the way, always showing love and compassion despite your own battles to stay true to the way, and rememeber even in your darkest hours the light shines. She was an angel in disguise of dramatic temperment, stong personal magnetism, and a compelling charisma. Guida your light will shine forever.
Kelejan says
August 4, 2019 at 4:44 amI have been away for the last five/six weeks and only now catching up. This article had me in tears. What a wonderful elephant.
Carey says
January 16, 2023 at 7:48 pmBeautiful Guida, who seemed so completely lost in her stereotyping at the roadside zoo/field where hey were both chained on opposite sides f a fence. Guida who looked a hundred years old but was younger than Maia I understand? And Guida who grabbed her new sanctuary life with such determination, and helped bring out real love in Maia, who missed her terribly after she died, and isolated herself for months. Thank you for your memories.
Global Sanctuary for Elephants
Stay connected with our herd
MISSION: Protecting, rescuing, and providing sanctuary for elephants worldwide.
Global Sanctuary for Elephants is a 501 (c)(3) tax exempt, public charity status (EIN 46-3564818) and all contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
© Global Sanctuary for Elephants. All Rights Reserved
Your ticket for the: Guida’s Gifts
Guida’s Gifts