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Mendoza Update: The Crates Have Arrived!

The crates have arrived in Mendoza! Pocha and Guillermina’s doorways in the training area have been modified to place the crates outside of the enclosure while still allowing the elephants access to them. This way, their already small space won’t get smaller with crates – it’s actually slightly extended.  As a bonus, from inside the crates they can peer into the outside world.

Besides training Pocha and Guillermina in the behaviors medically necessary for quarantine and international transport, Karissa and Chrissy have started having Pocha and Guillermina separate. In such a small space, they’ve never been far from each other. The two crates can’t travel on the same truck once the elephants are inside. For safety reasons, the crates will need to be on separate trucks. The crates weigh a lot by themselves – and so do elephants who, as living beings, will shift their weight and move around during transport. At stops, the trucks will park near each other so that Pocha and Guillermina will be able to see, smell, and hear each other along the journey.

Comments(28)

  1. REPLY
    June Ross says

    HOOOOOOORAY! I can hardly wait to meet these two more fully at Sanctuary! Excitement brews.

  2. REPLY
    Lane says

    How wonderful that they are able to see the outside world. Can’t even imagine what they will make of standing level on the same mother earth as the rest of us do every day. Finally!

  3. REPLY
    Patricia Aguilar says

    They will have windows out to the world, for the first time in Guillermina’s life. And after so many, many years, it will be amazing to Pocha, also. We humans have a lot to answer for.

  4. REPLY
    Kenneth Newman says

    Should make for some interesting next few weeks for Pocha and Guillermina, and the two trainers, plus their keepers…………So around April 25? the trip home to GSE could start……..Just remember to give Tamy some items to play with , like tires, sticks, balls, etc.. to occupy his time since his wife and daughter won’t be there any more…….and NO visitors to the EcoParque will be allowed……

    • REPLY
      Kat Blais says

      We have no definitive start date for the quarantine, so their arrival will be later than that. Tamy’s toys must be limited in size because he throws things at people.

  5. REPLY
    Susan says

    So looking forward to their arrival – and then your next rescues when their times come to be free. Each one is a heartwarming experience – even for those of us who can only cheer from the sidelines. Bless you all!

  6. REPLY
    Jillyp says

    So exciting but what a huge step for the girls. It’s great they will be able to touch and see each other at the stops and they will have the best care along the way ♥️???????
    Can’t wait to see them arrive and how they (and the other eles) react ? ??? Praying for a safe journey for all and calm elephants ?

  7. REPLY
    Shirley Taylor says

    You are so wonderful how you think of everything for their comfort. When they arrive at the Sanctuary hope it will be live like the others, I dont care if its in the middle of the night here I shall watch.

  8. REPLY
    Melinda says

    Can’t blame Tamy, or any captive elephant, for that. Is he Guillermina’s dad? Don’t remember reading that.

    • REPLY
      Kat Blais says

      Yes

  9. REPLY
    Carol Anderson says

    I am so happy for these elephants. They have lived in these horrible conditions for so many years. I cant even imagine their reactions to the sanctuary. Of all the elephants you have saved, these two will experience the greatest change to their lives. Thank you so much!

  10. REPLY
    Vicky says

    So exciting! They have no idea of what is to come. I wish them peace & excitement for their new lives. Rescuing these sweet elephants will never get old-I cannot wait!

  11. REPLY
    Debbie Sides says

    Seems things are going well. Hoping they’ll get used to the separation and become comfortable with the crates soon.

  12. REPLY
    Sherry says

    Bless their hearts! The environment they live in now is all they know. I know they will feel discomfort and confusion until they grow accustom to their new sanctuary! FREEDOM!!

  13. REPLY
    Lila Nieto says

    My excitement grows with every step. I can’t wait for them to be home!!!! Guille will be free for the first time!!! And Pocha… well, almost as if for the first time. Love love love from Mexico!!!

  14. REPLY
    Nancy Shaw says

    YOU CAN DO IT !!!

  15. REPLY
    katharine says

    pls tell a bit about Tamy.

  16. REPLY
    Shari says

    Thank-you to everyone there! You are all wonderful and I am so excited as each thing happens to bring more elephants to the sanctuary. I fall in love with each elephant as we meet them and send each positive thoughts.

  17. REPLY
    Elisa Timoteo says

    It’s going to be just like in the movie ” room”.

  18. REPLY
    Carolyn McNeil says

    I’m just joyful that they can go in the crates and look out. Every detail is a milestone in their lives. You gave them branches and they sang a happy tune two years ago. I hung on every word and video , all precious to me. Hopefully, we will see a May arrival and Kenya after that! And you two need a few days vacation to reset and revive. Love from a stranger, Carolyn

  19. REPLY
    Tracy H says

    Yay?????? so excited for P&G. Can’t wait for their journey home to paradise.
    Will be even more excited when Tamy gets his own crate and starts his journey home as well.
    Looking forward to all updates. Thanks again for all y’all do

  20. REPLY
    Anita Janusz-Wong says

    I won’t be able to sleep with all the excitement!! They so deserve to be moved ! That concrete pit gave me nightmares…it will stay with me forever…Thank you guys!! All me love from Australia..xoxoxox

  21. REPLY
    Susan says

    Know what you mean, Anita. I saw pictures of them a few years ago and it was heartbreaking – especially since I couldn’t help them. Thanks to this wonderful rescue, in a small way I was able to help when the time came.

  22. REPLY
    Bonnie says

    Ok so were is Tamy is he staying behind all by himself

    • REPLY
      Sara says

      Tamy will be staying in the Mendoza Ecoparque for a time. We still have to raise quite a bit of money to build the habitat he will require. But, he will be able to leave his current, very small enclosure and move into the space where Pocha and Guillermina are currently living. At that point, we can begin training – which is another important step toward his arrival.

  23. REPLY
    Sunny says

    Excellent news ?

  24. REPLY
    Pat says

    God bless you all ,so excited for these sweet elephants. Prayers for a safe travel

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