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Mendoza Mail: Mother and Daughter Crate Time

Guillermina has been increasing the amount of time she’s spending inside her transport crate. At the moment, the two crates are still facing each other with a small connecting area. Guillermina prefers to walk in first – and backward – into the furthest crate. Shortly thereafter, Pocha will walk forward into the nearest crate, meaning they are facing each other. Before Guillermina began going all the way into the crates, Pocha seemed to prefer the crate farthest away – but we are letting the two of them dictate who goes into which crate, and in what order. 

Both ladies are still doing well. The crates remain open, so they can come and go as they please. At the moment, they tend to hang out in the open space between the two crates. Ingo and Trish spend time with them there, sharing some snacks through the fence and having gentle conversations. The goal is to make sure everyone is comfortable and relaxed while staying in one spot. Their progress remains steady and our priority is to maintain a positive environment as we move closer to their eventual transport date.

Comments(26)

  1. REPLY
    Nannette Stone says

    I just love Guillermina reverses into the crate. Maybe being face to face with her mum makes her feel more secure and confident being in there.

  2. REPLY
    John says

    I’m looking forward to following this incredible journey for them. It’s wonderful to be part of. How far will the trip be?

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      It will be several days drive, but Pocha and Guillermina will really determine how long the trip will be.

  3. REPLY
    Katie Howard says

    It’s happening! 🤗

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      We’re getting closer!

  4. REPLY
    Debbie Sides says

    So good to see Guillermina getting comfortable with the crate and hanging out for a bit.

  5. REPLY
    Alana says

    Great News! Maybe sooner than later. If they only knew what awaits, space to roam, grass, trees, & best of all friends. Hope forward progress continues to pick up..

  6. REPLY
    Barb says

    Fantastic and getting closer to the journey to ESB!

  7. REPLY
    Nancy Shaw says

    Yay Yay !!

  8. REPLY
    Tammy says

    That’s wonderful news things are going really good it shouldnt be much longer! 🐘 🙏🐘

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      We hope that’s the case!

  9. REPLY
    Wim says

    Wonderful they still make little steps forward.
    Will be a big adventure for both ladies.
    So much hard work for the team. 👏🐘❤️

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      And so worth it.

  10. REPLY
    Charlotte Hansen says

    This is so exciting! We appreciate your expertise in knowing just what to do and how soon–this is going to be such a success!

  11. REPLY
    Anita J says

    Amazing progress! Thank you for that. Time for this historic move comes closer with each day. This tranfer will be truly life changing one . I am so so happy to be part of their journey. Thank you💖💖

  12. REPLY
    Carey says

    Excellent news, and wonderful work by Ingo and Trish 👏🏼👏🏼

  13. REPLY
    Sunny says

    Ingo, Trish and Scott sounds like truly elephant’s whisperers. In the other hand, you say that Pocha and Guille prefer the last crate, maybe they think that they have to go all the way in?

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      They both seem to prefer that Guillermina goes in the furthest crate. They understand that they won’t be sharing a crate. We’re just letting them work out who will be where on their own.

  14. REPLY
    Vicky says

    Respect and love to all of you and to the incredible work you do! Thank you so much for the awesome updates and everything. Looking forward to the day SANCTUARY happens for these two beautiful ladies. They’re getting closer every day, YAY! ♡

  15. REPLY
    Sandra says

    Do you have any idea how long it will be before they are on the road to their forever home? What obstacles are in place now that is preventing their departure?

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      We can’t give out a date at the moment. As with Bambi’s rescue, sometimes we don’t know if an elephant is ready to go until that very day. So we don’t want to put any expectations on Guillermina. She still needs to be comfortable staying in her crate for an extended period of time. Additionally, their transport requires a number of permits, all of which have expiration dates. We are currently waiting for one to be renewed.

  16. REPLY
    Carrie V says

    This is so exciting! I am waiting on pins and needles for the big day…
    It’s crazy how different each of their journeys have been .
    If only they understood what lies ahead. Too bad Bambi couldn’t send them a message to buck up and just do it.
    She was so brave getting into her crate and wow how different her life is now!!

  17. REPLY
    Anita J says

    WHEN? PLEASE…:-))))))…are they ready? Are all permits in place and current? Frantically checking now few times per day of any news re transfer! It must be fairly soon now, surely? It has been another week since this update..:-)))

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      We’d love to be able to provide a date, but it would be truly unfair to the elephants to do so. As you know, this is unlike any other rescue we’ve ever done. Not only are Pocha and Guillermina a bonded pair, but they are mother and daughter, one of which has never been anywhere. Of course we are excited that Guillermina has spent time in her crate, but the journey to sanctuary will take days. We have to make sure that they are both comfortable enough in their crates that, the moment they are loaded into the trucks, they don’t go into stress overload immediately. That is a dangerous way to begin a multi-day truck ride. Of course we want them to be here, too. There are certainly moments where we have to refocus any frustration we might feel into positivity. Feel free to check as often as you need and know that when it is time to move them, we won’t delay in making the announcement.

      • Anita J says

        Thank you Sara! I thought exactly what you have stated in your reply. Thank you! And yes…will patiently wait when you guys make that call..:-)))

      • Sara says

        We sometimes have to remind ourselves here that things will happen in their own time. We’re very ready for them to be here, too. Thanks for caring so much about them.

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