By next Mother’s Day, Pocha will be here at sanctuary, with her daughter Guillermina. Even though she isn’t here yet, it seems appropriate to celebrate her during her last Mother’s Day at Mendoza.
Being a mother is a beautiful, yet challenging task, even in the best of situations, and one that can sometimes redefine who you are. For Pocha, raising her daughter in a 150 meter enclosure (just under 500 sq ft) without any trees, grass, or ponds must feel overwhelming at times. Somehow, Guillermina grew up to be incredible – feisty and pushy with a little bit of attitude, which is such a far cry from who she could’ve become in that environment. Everything was stacked against them and Pocha’s guidance made all the difference.
Despite their challenges and struggles, they are lucky to have each other. Guillermina is 22- years old and still with her mom. That is natural for wild elephants but rare for captive ones. When they arrive at Elephant Sanctuary Brazil, their relationship will likely grow and change; we don’t know how Guillermina will react to other elephants but – no matter what – she will have her mother at her side.
There’s currently no timeline on when they might arrive. Still, we look forward to Pocha taking on a more traditional mothering role by teaching her daughter about the natural world Guillermina has never known – and how to interact with other elephants.
Pocha might be the strongest elephant mother we’ve ever met, and we admire her for who she is and what she has done for Guillermina.
Happy Mother’s Day, not just to Pocha, but to all those incredible moms out there!
Comments(18) 
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Barb Campbell says
May 9, 2021 at 3:43 pmI am over the moon excited for these two ??
Kenneth B. Newman says
May 9, 2021 at 4:10 pmAre coronavirus rules for international travel ( crossing the Argentina-Brazil border), back and forth with the GSE staff, determining MORE when Pocha and Guillermina will be brought to GSE, rather than the quarantining plan for the elephants? I would have thought that the plan would have the elephants at GSE by June 1st………
Kat Blais says
May 9, 2021 at 7:26 pmIt’s both, and unfortunately it seems things change almost daily.
Sallie says
May 9, 2021 at 4:27 pmDear Pocha, you are indeed the “Eley Mother of the Year”! We are all excited about your and Guillermina’s “Forever Home” coming into reality VERY soon . . . You both will LOVE your new residence, full of “perks”, loving caregivers and unique elephants with great personalities, like yours! You both will fit right into the picture! Take good care of yourselves! Guiller, you listen to Mom! We humans cannot wait to see your sweet faces and hear your lovely rumbles.
Wim says
May 9, 2021 at 5:07 pmBeautifully written. Happy Mother’s Day especially to all of you ‘living’ in terrible captivity. ??❤️
Nishant Bhajaria says
May 9, 2021 at 5:31 pmDo we have a latest time as to when they will arrive?
Kat Blais says
May 9, 2021 at 7:26 pmnope, there is still a lot up in the air because of border closures/restrictions and them cooperating with testing.
JoAnn Merriman-Eaton says
May 9, 2021 at 5:56 pmIt is remarkable that Guillermina is as well adjusted as she is. As you mentioned, it can not have been easy in that concrete setting for Pocha. It speaks volumes about Pocha’s disposition and character. They are going to thrive at the sanctuary. I have watched and followed each new elephant when they arrive at the sanctuary. Watching them learn new socialization skills, explore, and just start a new FREE life. Watching Pocha and Guillermina learn and grow is going to be a whole new exciting experience for everyone!! Can hardly wait!!!
Anita Janusz-Wong says
May 9, 2021 at 6:04 pmI was always hoping quietly, that Pocha will celebrate this Mother Day 2020 in sanctuary….but it was too much to ask with Covid19 and all other challenges! But I am pretty sure they both will be celebrating Christmas in a new home with all the girls!…Please make it happen…xoxoxox
Debbie Sides says
May 9, 2021 at 6:22 pmPocha is an incredible mother. I can’t wait until they arrive at ESB. A whole world of discovery and nature at their trunk fingers!
Carol says
May 9, 2021 at 7:02 pm??????
Charlotte Hansen says
May 9, 2021 at 7:28 pmPocha is such a shining example to us all of how to make a life for yourself and loved ones in whatever circumstances that befall us! Such a strong and loving woman! I’m hoping Gillermina is making some progress. I guess people all over the world are hoping it!!
Sara says
May 9, 2021 at 9:30 pmMy biggest takeaway from this post is that they have less than 500 square feet. I’m beyond shocked. Thank you so much for getting them out (whenever that is, of course.)
Patricia says
May 9, 2021 at 10:43 pmHappy Mom’s Day, you adorable mommy Pocha! I am so longing for you girls to come to the sanctuary. I have trouble being patient. I love you so much. You are both so adorable! I hope your dad gets to come too before long, Guillermina. Hopelessly devoted to you darlings from afar, and many many kisses!
Katie Howard says
May 10, 2021 at 1:22 amMy own mother lived with my husband and I for the last eight years of her life. Profoundly deaf, macular degeneration causing blindness and Alzheimer’s- it was the toughest time of her long, wonderful and fulfilling life. She and her six-toed cat shared a guest house on our property that seemed to be too small to cram a lifetime of momentous and memories into. It was 600 + square feet.
We made it very comfortable for her and she was just 20’ from our house so the arrangement worked very well. I’ve been thinking about her an awful lot today – she’s been gone 10 years now.
And then reading these posts about Pocha & Guillermina this evening and realizing anew that these two full grown ELEPHANTS have been sharing a space all these years that is SMALLER than my mother’s house! – well, it’s just inconceivable.
So: here’s to mothers everywhere, doing what mother’s do, and here’s to GSE Team for being a “Mother” to all the girls!! Thank you and Godspeed for Pocha & Guillermina – I know they will be there as soon as it is possible. ❤️??❤️
Sara says
May 10, 2021 at 10:20 amThank you for sharing about your lovely mother. When the time comes, there will be space. At least they’ve had each other – which you can attest is so important.
Bill says
May 10, 2021 at 10:45 amThey will feel like they are in heaven when they finally arrive and get acclimated to their new home. We can hardly wait to see them arrive.
SHEILA says
May 13, 2021 at 2:01 amDEAR POCHA‼️IT LOOKS LIKE U HAD A WONDERFUL MOTHERS DAY WITH ???????TREATS AND GUILLERMINA! THATS LOVELY! IM SO EXCITED FOR YOU A TO COME TO BRAZIL SANCTUARY WITH GUILLERMINA , ITS GOING TO BE SO AWESOME FOR YOU DEAR MUMA!‼️YOU WILL BLOSSOM AT SANCTUARY?HOPE IT WILL BE SOON DEAR! YOU ARE IN FOR THE SURPRISE OF YOUR LIFE! CARING WONDERFUL PEOPLE! LOTS OF TREATS! MILES OF GRASS!?? TREES!?? PONDS?! JUNGLE! AND 5 ?NEW LADY FRIENDS! YOU DESERVE THE BEST POCHA! WE HEAR YOU R SUCH A GREAT MUMMA TO GUILLERMINA? THATS AWESOME! YOU WILL BE REWARD WITH A NEW LIFE AND NEXT MOTHERS DAY U WILL CELEBRATE AT GES BRAZIL❤️
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Your ticket for the: Happy Mother’s Day to Pocha and to All of You!
Happy Mother’s Day to Pocha and to All of You!