Since their first tentative explorations of Yard 4, Pocha and Guillermina have begun to go deeper into the habitat, with increasing curiosity. Yesterday, the two walked about halfway from the barn to the pond; Scott, keeping an eye on them from a distance, expected the girls to turn back. They did for a moment, but then turned to head out again, this time deciding to keep moving further into the habitat.
All of a sudden, Guillermina caught sight of the pond for the first time, and perhaps it was love at first sight, because she made a sharp right turn toward the water – not taking her speed into account. She slid down the muddy embankment and right into the pond. Pocha took a slower approach, but also splashed into the water with enthusiasm. It was interesting to see Guille in the lead when it came to entering the pond, because she’s been the more hesitant of the two to play in the mud and water.
The two got into and out of the water several times. You can see here that Guillermina takes great joy in splashing with her trunk, delighted at the movement of the water. Pocha eventually decided to submerge all the way under the water, while Guille remained slightly more tentative. This was probably the most playful we’ve seen either elephant since they arrived; their energy was light and Pocha seemed super smiley for the rest of the day. The girls spent most of the afternoon in and around the pond, before heading back to the barn. Another day at sanctuary, another first for Pocha and Guillermina.
Comments(50) 
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Christine Curtis says
June 14, 2022 at 2:19 pmLove this!! It’s awesome to see them enjoying themselves ♥️
Pam says
June 14, 2022 at 2:19 pmI love that Guillermina was so excited that she dropped the trunkful of hay she was carrying! Must have been carrying it since they left the barn area? So great to see them both enjoying the swim, especially knowing that it was never even an option in their lives before coming to sanctuary. Can only imagine how Pocha must have felt as she immersed herself for the first time … Keep on smiling, beautiful girl. Even more good things to come. Thank you for capturing and sharing these “first time” moments with us!
Polly says
June 14, 2022 at 2:22 pmCan elephants swim? What if Guille had dashed in as she did, and found it to be very deep?
Sara says
June 14, 2022 at 2:26 pmElephants absolutely can swim and many of them love it. I can’t say for sure how Guille would have reacted, but the ponds are not so deep that she couldn’t reach the top – plus they breathe through their trunks, which act as snorkels of sorts.
Julie says
June 14, 2022 at 2:25 pmWe’re witnessing Ellie-heaven on earth! So exciting to see P&G discover their glorious sanctuary on their own terms!
June Ross says
June 14, 2022 at 2:28 pmMy heart sings yet again and again!
Patricia Aguilar says
June 14, 2022 at 2:33 pmThis is happening so fast! Brave, brave elephants, adventurous, full of wonder and joy. It’s like they’ve been on another planet and have just returned to earth.
Barb Campbell says
June 14, 2022 at 2:35 pmSuper happy for these two girls and their life now 💗💗
John says
June 14, 2022 at 2:39 pmOH MY GOD !!!!!! The pond!!!!! 🐘🐘
Tammy says
June 14, 2022 at 2:39 pmSplish Splash I was takin a bath…..Good for them that was very cute especially sliding right on into the pond it never gets old watching these two ladies find new things to amuse themselves with! Thank you for sharing this it truly brightened up my day it made me giggle big time! 💞
Patricia Hunt says
June 14, 2022 at 2:44 pmA dream come true! They are beautiful and brilliant. Pocha and Guille, you own my heart. 😘😘😘
Rachel says
June 14, 2022 at 2:44 pmWhat a lovely video of the girls finally being able to enjoy the luxuries and joy the pond brings. Couldn’t stop staring and smiling. Will definitely watch this video again and again…💝
Eileen L. says
June 14, 2022 at 2:47 pmSuch joy!
JoAnn Merriman-Eaton says
June 14, 2022 at 2:50 pmOH MY GOODNESS!! I could not believe my eyes when Guille took off and went into that water! Then when she started playing like a new toddler swishing her trunk in the water with joy! Pocha sinking into the water like a natural? This was soooooo wonderful to witness. A absolutely great video. Love these two brave girls.
Susan Flewelling says
June 14, 2022 at 2:53 pmThey are so brave!!
Beci says
June 14, 2022 at 3:04 pmThey are like, Oh my gosh this is the best thing ever. Squealing with happiness. It thrills me to see them so happy and seeing their discoveries for the first time. It must be like a human in prison for most of their lives then has a child and that child knows nothing else, then they are released to real life. Ty for sharing
Alana says
June 14, 2022 at 3:07 pmPond blobs in the making. They do look so happy with their newly found pond & learning what they can do with it.
Patricia Richardson says
June 14, 2022 at 3:10 pmWow! The best! My eyes are full of tears of joy for them!!!!
Cintia Abney says
June 14, 2022 at 3:30 pmAwesome!!! They sense there are lots of treasures hidden in tbe area 😀
Jillyp says
June 14, 2022 at 3:41 pmWhat absolute joy for them; this is what sanctuary is all about
💙💙💙💕💦🐘🐘💦🌱
How wonderful to ‘come across’ the pool and spend as long as you want in it. It’s wonderful to see them, thank you for the update 🙌🏼🙌🏼
Melinda says
June 14, 2022 at 3:51 pmI feel so much joy watching those two find THE POND! My husband and I have been waiting for this day since they arrived at sanctuary, and finally the day has come! Wishing P&G many more lovely splashes and fun in their newly discovered water park!
Marcia says
June 14, 2022 at 3:54 pmOh, this is Heaven to watch! So thankful you were able to catch our girls on video embracing the wonders of water!
Beji says
June 14, 2022 at 3:59 pmOh lord, that must feel wonderful…
Tessa Dowell says
June 14, 2022 at 4:10 pmThat is one of the most heart-warming, beautiful things I’ve ever seen. My heart is full watching these two experiencing life as it should be ❤️
Kayle says
June 14, 2022 at 4:12 pmThis was one of the most emotional videos for me since they arrived. Thank you so much.
Kelejan says
June 14, 2022 at 4:17 pmIt make my heart sing for them. They recognise everything they never had.
Angie in Ontario Canada says
June 14, 2022 at 4:20 pmThis video and the commentary made my day ! I can just barely imagine how these two’s inner ele instincts came rushing over them, letting them taste and feel the magic of “pond”. I have goosebumps! Happy rumbles from me and dad (97 this year!).
Christine J Strickling says
June 14, 2022 at 4:21 pmMy favorite video yet!
Zoi Flores says
June 14, 2022 at 4:23 pmYoo-hoo!!!!! I’ve been dreaming of this!!! Guille so fancy with hay extensions 😄
Sheila says
June 14, 2022 at 4:23 pmOH YES. GUILLE SLID INTO POND WITHOUT FEAR AND POCHA TOO!! THIS IS VERY EXCITING THAT LADIES R SHAKING OFF THEIR FEARS MORE EACH DAY. I SAW GUILLE SPLASHING AND CREATING WAVES., BASICALLY LIKE A VERY YOUNG BABY ELEPHANT WOULD. SO ENDEARING.. WHEN THEY CROSSED BACK POCHA ALMODT TOTALLY SUBMERGED AND I HEARD 2 SWEAKS
OF JOY!!! WOW U LADIES R ASTOUNDING
Deb says
June 14, 2022 at 4:42 pmI am so very happy for the girls 🎉🎊. Thanks to all of you at ESB 💖💖
🐘🐘.
Michael Sultana says
June 14, 2022 at 4:48 pmThis is all new as there was no pond in the moat ….
Elizabeth says
June 14, 2022 at 4:57 pmSo cool!! Guillermina with that silly hay ornament dangling off her face. At first I was thinking “oh no, she dropped her hay and kicked it into the water”. Then I remembered she needed to loose some weight anyway. I see what Scott meant about Guillermina corralling her mother. She did that to get Pocha back into the water. Pocha tried to go in slower at first, but it turned into a slip and dive once she hit the soft bottom. I was wondering where the other girls were and surprised they were not at the pond?
Sara says
June 14, 2022 at 6:08 pmThe other girls were in another part of Yard 4, but had access to the pond if they wanted to stop by.
Wim says
June 14, 2022 at 5:12 pmRight mum, this is a wonderful classy resort. They even got a real swimming pool.
It’s much better than Paradise Island.
💚🐘🐘
Katherine says
June 14, 2022 at 6:05 pmHow great is this! they’ll be water babes for sure now . Is that speaking from Pocha? You are doing great work
Sara says
June 14, 2022 at 6:29 pmIt’s actually Guillermina making the noises. They’re very charming. And thank you for your kind words.
Carolyn Stearns says
June 14, 2022 at 6:38 pmThis was a delight to see! I have been waiting for the day the discovered the joy of a dip in the pond!!
Mary says
June 14, 2022 at 6:42 pmI am so happy to be able to witness this joyful and new experience. Thank you for all that you do.
Lynne Russert says
June 14, 2022 at 7:18 pmIt just warms my heart when I see them find & explore new things. So beautiful to watch!!
Nancy says
June 14, 2022 at 7:19 pmIt’s like watching 2 kids at a water park for the first time. They don’t know what to do first!
Kitty says
June 14, 2022 at 8:00 pmThey so deserve this! How wonderful it would be if all elephants could enjoy a life free from harm.
Sue says
June 14, 2022 at 9:42 pmSo happy for them!!!! It must feel so wonderful 🥰 Thank you for sharing this incredible moment with us.❤️🐘❤️
Terry says
June 14, 2022 at 11:42 pmOMG!!!!!!😁😀😃🙂🙂
Bonnie says
June 14, 2022 at 11:54 pmSilly girls like they say girls just want to have fun
Bonnie says
June 14, 2022 at 11:57 pmalso question any information about when the other Elephant will be coming
Sara says
June 15, 2022 at 8:08 amWe can’t provide information on timelines, because we simply don’t have it. There are too many variables in place to make a responsible estimate. We’re doing our best to transport all elephants possible. Our goal is to get them to sanctuary.
Debbie Sides says
June 15, 2022 at 2:27 amPure bliss! Sanctuary truly heals. 💚
Anita J says
June 15, 2022 at 5:58 amThe MOST AWAITED event!! THE POND!! It almost looked like a religious ceremony, especially for Pocha – full Baptism by the healing waters of Sanctuary! I watched in awe and re watched dozens of times….that peace and tranquillity, a buzzing insect cut short, even birds were silent for a moment. It is like everything quieted down a bit more, to make it so special for this moment….so we can hear splashing of waters and gentle squeaks of our girls…:-)))….unforgettable footage…one to treasure for sure….THANK YOU!! xoxoxox
Pat says
June 15, 2022 at 3:28 pmJust like little kids, how sweet to watch them get so excited, Guille, running into the pond, what happiness! Thank you for sharing these precious moments.
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Guillermina, Pocha, and the Pond