Mendoza Mail: Pocha and Guillermina Get Into Mischief

Pocha and Guillermina’s training in Mendoza is moving forward for the moment, though – as we have mentioned – gradually. Perhaps that is why the two ladies are trying to add a little excitement to their time in quarantine with some late-night antics.

On a recent evening, security guards caught the two being a little naughty. They were apparently attempting to relocate one of their transport crates, working together to push it from its spot in front of the habitat exit. Perhaps they knew there was a passage prepared to remove the crates once they are quarantine trained, and were planning an escape. To where, we don’t know.

Even though Guillermina has been a bit protective of the crates so far, it was amusing to know she and Pocha were working together to redecorate their space. The crates are anchored, so there was never any real danger that they’d go far. Also, for reference, the crates weigh approximately 12,350 lbs each (5600 kg) while the elephants weigh about 7275 lbs (3300 kg). They may have realized it would take teamwork if they were going to have any chance at moving them.

We still don’t have a date for their arrival. While they have begun quarantine, it will certainly be lasting for longer than 30 days. Argentina is tightening its borders due to the increased spread of Covid in South America, the girls still have to complete more testing, and then they have to get more acclimated with separation in their crates. We have no definite answers about when the team and elephants will be able to travel and do so safely. In the meantime, we hope that Pocha and Guillermina find some less mischievous nighttime activities.

Comments(18)

June Ross says
May 27, 2021 at 3:04 pm
Funny! Good for the two trying to amuse themselves!!
Kenneth B. Newman says
May 27, 2021 at 3:07 pm
Fascinating, what elephants will do for a little recreation……… Looks like Pocha and Guillermina WON’T be delivered to GSE until late June or July, which may be good from a GSE construction standpoint, but won’t help the elephants live longer, or maybe they will try some other type of mischief…….Have the trainers been bringing them and Tamy, as well as Kenya, MORE toys to play with?
- REPLY
  Sara says
  May 27, 2021 at 3:24 pm
  Pocha and Guillermina are being well cared for and cannot be transported until it is safe to do so. We have no control over Argentina’s Covid border crossing restrictions and the safety of our staff AND of the elephants is more important than any timeline.
Julie says
May 27, 2021 at 3:24 pm
Naughty girls? actually I think it’s pretty smart.
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  Sara says
  May 27, 2021 at 4:05 pm
  Pretty clever for sure!
Sue says
May 27, 2021 at 3:26 pm
They were probably going to head to Sanctuary!! Love this story! I know we are on Ele-Time, so I keep repeating to myself that it will happen when the Ele-time is right ❤️?❤️
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  Sara says
  May 27, 2021 at 4:06 pm
  Unfortunately both Ele-Time and Covid time, too. But, you are right, it will happen!
John says
May 27, 2021 at 4:35 pm
Oh my!
Sara says
May 27, 2021 at 6:31 pm
Where the crates are located now, if they go all the way into a crate, what can they see out the far end?
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  Sara says
  May 27, 2021 at 7:03 pm
  They can’t see much – mostly the concrete trail that leads out of their exhibit and maybe some trees.
SHEILA says
May 27, 2021 at 8:06 pm
OH MY GOODNESS!! ?NOT AT ALL SURPRISED.? MUM POCHA AND HER ?GIRL GUILLERMINA WERE CAUSING HAVOC??. OH YES THIS SHOWS PPL HOW SMART ??ELEPHANTS ARE! I THINK THEY HAD DECIDED THAT IF THEY MOVED THE ?CRATE. THEY COULD ESCAPE?‼️ FUNNY HOW THESE GALS R SO MISCHIEVOUS‼️ WELL MAYBE THEY R GOING TO BE A HANDFULL AT BRAZIL SANCTUARY, TRYING TO BEND THE PIPE FENCES TO ESCAPE??. NO! THESE LADIES SURE MADE ME SMILE ?WITH THEIR CREATIVITY, GUESS THEY ??COULDNT ? ?SLEEP!
Anita Janusz-Wong says
May 27, 2021 at 9:55 pm
Awwww…thank you for that update! This is truly funny ! As long as they are active, curious and keeping busy it means they are healthy and have will to live! I think they will completely go nuts once they step to the yards and the videos of them exploring will be amazing! Personally I am beyond patient. Please do make more videos of their training when they take place for us to see…:-))) we await the big day…Love from down under to all of you..xoxoxox
Sallie says
May 28, 2021 at 1:20 am
WHATTA TEAM, THESE TWO SMARTY PANTS! HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE THEM TO PIECES! I GUESS BOREDOM DURING THE PANDEMIC, REACHES BEYOND HUMAN BEINGS . . . HOPING THEY MAKE IT TO GSE IN REASONABLE TIME AND IN GOOD HEALTH. THEY SO DESERVE A NEW, WONDERFUL AND LOVING HOME TO CONTINUE THEIR LIVES AND DEDICATION TO MISCHIEF!
JoAnn Merriman Eaton says
May 28, 2021 at 1:28 am
Hahaha!. Sounds like a elephant version of ‘ Girls Gone Wild’ night out. ???
Patricia says
May 28, 2021 at 4:20 am
I feel that Pocha and Guillermina are particularly smart. I believe they want to get this show on the road. Their perceptions are very direct and therefore Argentina’s problems are only a distraction. I feel their impatience. The wonderful and brilliant hoomans at ESB would probably say it’s my own impatience I am feeling and God knows I am. Mountains of love to all.
Barb says
May 28, 2021 at 11:44 am
New meaning to when the cat’s away, the mice will play. A stretch I know but you get the picture ?
Carol Anderson says
May 28, 2021 at 12:40 pm
Will the mother and daughter go from Argentina to Sanctuary in Brazil by road. How long will it take to go that far?
- REPLY
  Sara says
  May 28, 2021 at 2:07 pm
  Yes – they will travel by two trucks. We predict it will take several days. Last trip with Mara was about 5 days.

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