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Joy and Silliness At Sanctuary

Part of the importance of sanctuary is giving each elephant the ability to explore the space – and also explore themselves. That might mean serious contemplation, but it also includes experiencing freedom on a simpler level: running, playing, being free to choose what suits their mood, expressing their inner emotions, and finding the silly parts inside that may have been suppressed for decades.

This video captures moments of Pocha and Guillermina enjoying the simple pleasures of life, immersing themselves in pure joy. We hope it inspires you to find a few moments to be silly yourself today (and always).

Comments(32)

  1. REPLY
    Christine says

    They are too funny! Enjoying life at sanctuary.

  2. REPLY
    Nanette Cummimgs says

    Loved this. To see them at play is awesome.

  3. REPLY
    Pam says

    Such great moments captured here! Sheer joy, play just because they can … So wonderful to see their silly side. I’ve already watched this three times since it appeared on facebook this morning, can’t get enough of seeing P&G happy! I have a question, about how Pocha puts her foot up on the fence railing, which I’ve seen in several videos — does her foot bother her, or is this a habit in some way, or is it a way to connect with Scott? Or something else? Thank you!

    • REPLY
      Kat Blais says

      it’s a social behavior. we’ve cared for several elephants that do it. Mara used to do it with her front foot. she still does it, but not as often now that she prefers her elephant friends over her humans.

  4. REPLY
    Patricia Aguilar says

    Pocha to Guillermina: What do you want to do today?
    Guillermina: Play!
    Guillermina to Pocha: What will we do tomorrow?
    Pocha: Play some more!

  5. REPLY
    Nanette Cummings says

    Loved this. To see them at play is awesome.

  6. REPLY
    Tammy says

    I just love watching all the girls those sounds their movements simply adorable can watch nonstop just too darn cute thank you for sharing 💞

  7. REPLY
    Beci says

    Wow very talkative. It feels like she is saying, “can you believe we are here with nice humans who only want us to live in freedom? I am so happy because this is a beautiful place that I never knew existed”.

  8. REPLY
    Rachel says

    I’m silly with joy for these two eles! It’s definitely a joy to watch them explore together. Mama must be sooo happy to see Guille being silly in their new, amazing home. 💝

  9. REPLY
    LyndaJo says

    What a joy to watch these two girls just being themselves!

  10. REPLY
    Shirley Taylor says

    This is so wonderful to watch thanks for sharing these beautiful and fun filled moments of these 2 wonderful girls who at last are living life as it should be. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for rescuing them from that concrete hell they lived in. X

  11. REPLY
    Melinda says

    They’re so adorable! nuff said!

  12. REPLY
    Barb says

    Remarkable video of the joyous life in Elephant Sanctuary Brazil! Oh how you must love to see them so happy!

  13. REPLY
    Tracy H says

    This video makes my heart swell with pride for these lovely ladies. So good to see them just do whatever they wanna do when they wanna do it. Love the squeaks, grunts and of course the beautiful trumpet sounds. Super cuties🐘🐘🐘🐘.

  14. REPLY
    Sue says

    Love the joyful sounds and the Sticky Outy Tails!!!! Thank you for sharing, it lifted my spirits seeing their joy!! ❤️🐘❤️

  15. REPLY
    Elizabeth says

    Wow, so much fun, complete with trumpets and stickie-outie tails. They are certainly getting more exercise.

  16. REPLY
    Alana says

    Knocking down a tree like a pro already ! & those squeaks! Just too cute! I can’t stop smiling Thanks.

  17. REPLY
    Katherine says

    Goofy and joyful – they seem to be saying “ look what we can do “!

  18. REPLY
    Beji says

    Grinning from ear to ear….again. Thank you!

  19. REPLY
    Melissa says

    I wonder if being in the sterile, limited enclosure for so many years is at all connected to the level of their vocalizations? Perhaps an entertainment/coping mechanism? Were they so vocal at the ecopark? It probably would have echoed wonderfully along the walls.

    • REPLY
      Kat Blais says

      they were vocal in Mendoza, but there is a lightness to it now that is very new.

  20. REPLY
    Cintia Abney says

    Haha seems like they found a catnip bush for elephants 😍 what a party ❤️

  21. REPLY
    June Ross says

    Just plain wonderful!
    Thank you Scott and Kat for the time involved in sharing these videos with all of us.

  22. REPLY
    Kelejan says

    They must have had more exercise in one month than a whole year. Must do wonders for their feet. What condition were their feet when you first treated them in Mendozer?

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      We haven’t begun treatment on their feet yet, even in Mendoza. They still have some training behaviors to learn as far as foot presentation, etc. They aren’t in great shape, but also aren’t in the same shape as an elephant like Lady. The natural terrain is definitely helping them to heal a little on their own.

  23. REPLY
    Gayle says

    I love watching these two hamming it up and enjoying life! Their barking and raspberry sounds just crack me up. Maybe it’s their own secret language.

  24. REPLY
    Madeleine Hackett says

    So happy and joyous.. you can see the strains and worries ebbing away!! Absolutely wonderful

  25. REPLY
    Anita J says

    So much joy! So much happiness! Such a beautiful footage to watch seeing them so so happy, active, playful! Thank you for making posts every day for us to enjoy! A very quick question if I may…It has been said that girls like to spend time with Maia more then others. Her age is posted as 48 on her page, and rescue date 2016. Was she 48 in 2016?..? Does it make her now 54 years old? Is she the youngest from all the girls? If so, maybe that is why our GiGi tends to gravitate towards her more then other girls…Just thinking…xoxoxo

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      We try to keep their ages updated on the webpage, that should be close to her actual age. She is the youngest of the pre-Pocha and Guillermina residents.

  26. REPLY
    John says

    Kat and Scott, did you guys think after only a month, this is what you’d be seeing from these two amazing creatures?

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      There certainly was no way to know. We do love seeing them embrace all the aspects of sanctuary and opening their hearts.

  27. REPLY
    Marcia says

    The SPEED! They can finally move with speed! And smile! And laugh! And run over random trees. And stick their butt in your face! But, “speed” at long last.

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