Help take extra special care of an elephant that is close to your heart. 
We’re still thinking about Kenya today, but we also have the chance to celebrate one of our longest residents and our oldest elephants, Rana. When we met Rana in 2018, she was living in a combination zoo/hotel/waterpark on the Brazilian coast. Her enclosure was on top of a hill, in a field, but there was little for her to interact with, physically or mentally. Her enclosure was small and encircled with strands of electrified cable, and there was a dilapidated building where she’d sometimes spend time. We didn’t know if it had fallen into disrepair because of the weather or if Rana had torn it apart out of boredom or frustration, but we knew that a vast sanctuary habitat would make a major difference in her mental and physical health.
Back then, if Rana wanted attention, she would throw things at people, or follow them to see if they had any snacks to share. Her keepers often gave her what she wanted, which was just a reinforcement of unwelcome behavior. They largely feared her but they still seemed to have adoration of her as an individual, which is relatively rare in captive situations like this. The vet who treated her truly wanted the best for her, but didn’t have much knowledge of elephant medicine. Regardless, it was hard to do even a basic medical evaluation in an unsafe, pockmarked mess of a yard she lived in. When the time came to enter her transport crate for the trip to Brazil, Rana walked in faster than almost any other elephant we’ve worked with. She may not have known exactly what was ahead of her (though we told her in detail), but she seemed up for the challenge.
After her arrival at Elephant Sanctuary Brazil, her aggression became largely a thing of the past. However, she was overly excited with Maia and Guida at times, and they not-too-gently let her know that she was infringing on their space and testing their mental energy. Having time and room to herself opened up a lot of doors for Rana, as far as learning how to interact with other elephants–something she had limited experience with up until that point. Now she’s become something of a sister to all of the elephants, seeming to know exactly what each needs to come out of her shell and adapt to the wonder of sanctuary life.
Today is the 7th anniversary of Rana’s arrival at ESB. She is sweet to her friends and is a clear communicator when it comes to her caregivers. This video shows one of our favorite memories of Rana from her early days at sanctuary. We first heard her make this noise at the hotel zoo, but as she began to come into her own, she became much more vocal with us. We normally think of Mara as our resident squeaker, but Rana definitely has a place in the squeaking hall of fame.
P.S.: You can tell this is a “throwback” video because we were able to get closer to an elephant than we can today (though the camera was still zoomed in here). Back then, there were fewer elephants and Rana was the only one in the yard when this was filmed. We could never film a clip like this today, since we’ve welcomed more elephants and no one is ever truly alone these days. But, Rana still takes the time to communicate with us, sometimes squeaking her heart out during treatment times.
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Raven Black says
December 21, 2025 at 2:06 pmHappy Day beautiful Rana!
Wishing you many more years of freedom, friendship, peace and love. xx
Wim says
December 21, 2025 at 2:17 pmHappy Re-Birthday Miss Rana. How wonderful to be in Sanctuary for all these years. You surely opened up a door to understand en value the true blessing of elephants on earth. Wish you many more squeaking days. 🙏🐘🫶🍉
Barb Campbell says
December 21, 2025 at 2:47 pmHappy Re-Birthday sweet Rana 💞🐘💞🙏🙏
Jane says
December 21, 2025 at 2:52 pmHave a happy 7th anniversary to you sweet girl
Loving the life you were born to live ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
JoAnn Merriman Eaton says
December 21, 2025 at 2:52 pmHappy ReBirthday beautiful, intelligent, ever so gorgeous Rana. Although the heartache has been great since the passing of beloved Kenya this week, there is so much to celebrate at The Global Sanctuary for Elephants. The girls that remain are there because of their rescue by GSE from the neglect of circus and zoo life just as Kenya and so many before. They thrive in their freedom due to their own resilience, and the nurturing care of Scott, Kat and every caretaker. Thank you GSE. ❤️🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘
Rae says
December 21, 2025 at 4:50 pmHappy Re-Birthday, L’il Squeaker, many well-deserved happy returns! Enjoy every day in your sanctuary home with all your friends. Love…
JamesMichael says
December 21, 2025 at 5:41 pmHappy 7th re-Birthday dear, sweet Rana. You’ve come so far in your journey of discovery at ESB.
Here’s wishing you continued happiness and growth for all the years to come . A very warm Happy
reBirthday to a super sweet girl..
Lynne Russert says
December 21, 2025 at 5:51 pmHappy, happy Rescueversy Beautiful Rana!!! Hope you have yourself a BIG celebration!!!!😘😘😘😘😘
Sherry Panick says
December 21, 2025 at 7:33 pmHappy FREE Birthday Rana!! I’m so glad you are safe and happy in your new FOREVER home 🥰❤️🥰❤️🥰
Ada says
December 21, 2025 at 8:33 pmHappy Freedom Day sweet girl🥳😘. Loving all the squeaks you make🥰
Terry says
December 21, 2025 at 9:23 pmHappy 7 years of totally freedom sweet Rana You are the lighthouse of ESB. You shine your beacon of light, filled with Love and compassion, out to everyone. You are the ” in the know” grandma of the herd. You are so Loved by all of us. ❤️❤️❤️
Susan says
December 22, 2025 at 7:02 amHappy Birthday, Rana. I have been deeply committed to you from the moment Scott took us to the zoo/hotel to meet you. I knew how remarkable you were to exist in such an environment. The day you joined the sanctuary family was one of my happiest days ever. You are a deep amazing spirit. I love and respect you to bits. Bless you for every day you share with us.
Suzanne Eaton says
December 22, 2025 at 10:28 amHappy 7th re- Birthday sweet Rana! You are loved around the world. I wish you many more sanctuary years of peace, fun, happiness and good health. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘
Alana says
December 22, 2025 at 11:47 amI think of Rana every day. I am so glad you posted my favorite clip of her. Be sure and tell her Happy Birthday from me. 🐘❤️
Carey says
December 22, 2025 at 12:21 pmI’m so so happy that Rana has experienced a huge transformation in her life, that she is content, and a happy girl with her best elephant friend Mara. its wonderful, when considering Kenya and Pupy that she has had 7 years to live her new life, with humans that understand her and have surely helped her release some of her past trauma. Love to Rana!
Doe Fowler says
December 22, 2025 at 12:50 pmHappy Days, Rana! May your re-Birthday wish come true. You are super cutie! Love you sweetie!
Barbara L Smith says
December 22, 2025 at 4:25 pmHappy 7th Re-birthday, Rana.❤️
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It’s Rana’s 7th Re-birthday!