This week, Pocha and Guillermina finally felt comfortable enough to share open space with Bambi, Mara, Maia, and Rana. The two had been showing interest in the “Powerpuff Girls,” getting excited whenever they heard rumbles or trumpeting from the three. So, we opened the gates between Yards 3 and 4. Pocha and Guillermina stepped tentatively into Yard 4, where all four other elephants were standing. They quickly got a little intimidated and ran back into Yard 3, which is near the barn – their safe space. But the others saw a chance to move forward in the encounter and entered the smaller yards at a respectful distance.
Though the two new elephants aren’t always exactly sure of what they need, it’s clear that both want to build relationships in their own ways. With each interaction, the two still need time to regroup – but every encounter changes the dynamic between Pocha and Guillermina and the herd at large. For instance, when Pocha heard the girls vocalizing, she ran toward them; her excitement allowed her to place herself in a new and potentially intimidating place: right in between Mara and Bambi. That is both charming and somewhat unexpected, but it’s an example of Pocha’s desire to have new relationships in her life.
After that initial moment inside the fence together, each elephant fell into her own role in welcoming Pocha and Guille to sanctuary. Maia continued to show interest in the newcomers – staying relatively close and keeping an eye on all of the action. Rana was playing her usual role, carefully overseeing the interactions and monitoring dynamics. Mara was perhaps surprised to find that her squeaks drew Pocha to her so quickly, but also realized that this new individual wanted only to be near her.
The most surprising element of these still-growing relationships is Bambi’s leadership in building trust among the elephants. She may have learned from her past experiences in meeting new individuals that a calm presence makes a difference in how others respond to you. She’s clearly excited at the idea of making new friends, and has been deliberately approaching Guillermina and Pocha slowly and respectfully, sometimes curious as to why they are so reluctant to interact.
Encounters and comfort levels may change from day to day. But the willingness of the foursome to embrace Guille and Pocha is a sign that everyone is open to new things. Pocha and Guillermina are showing their own individual desires for friends, which may ebb and flow depending on their comfort. The most exciting thing is that their first meeting was gentle, peaceful, and promising on many levels.
Comments(44) 
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Pam says
June 9, 2022 at 2:11 pmThank you so much for sharing this precious first no-fence interaction with us! And it’s priceless to also have the written commentary, to hear your perspectives on these moments. I especially love watching their eyes. It seems like Pocha’s eyes, especially, have brightened since they arrived at sanctuary …
dodin says
June 9, 2022 at 2:22 pmBonjour et merci pour ce joli moment…j attendais cette rencontre depuis plusieurs jours…quelle merveilleuse journée pour elles
Lynne Russert says
June 9, 2022 at 2:22 pmAWESOME!!!!
Tracy H says
June 9, 2022 at 2:32 pmOh this warms my heart so much to see the interactions between all these brave beautiful ladies. Small steps sweet girls🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘.
Cintia Abney says
June 9, 2022 at 2:32 pmOh my Bambi❤️❤️ Who could tell such a big transformation..! ❤️ Interesting how they waited to approach the newcomers..I sure they knew there were new ladies in paradise 😍
Sara says
June 9, 2022 at 2:37 pmYou never know how elephants can read one another’s energy. Perhaps they were all waiting for the right time to come together – slowly and carefully. And isn’t Bambi’s ongoing transformation wonderful to see? Continued growth is part of the beauty of sanctuary.
Julie says
June 9, 2022 at 2:48 pmWhat a dream come true! By the way everyone, I searched “yard map of Global Sanctuary Brazil” on Ecosia (the search engine that plants trees) and was happy to find an image. If you’re like me, you might enjoy referencing the map when the post talks about Ellies going in and out of yards.
Robin Kern says
June 9, 2022 at 2:57 pmSo love to hear/see this!! All the beautiful girls!!!
Melinda says
June 9, 2022 at 3:02 pmWhat an incredible video! Thank you GAE so much! At some point P&G will be part of the Powerpuff Girls’ herd! Really hope Lady can also make positive contact with them again.
Sara says
June 9, 2022 at 3:11 pmWe hope they will all find their way into healthy relationships with one another. With time, of course. But, as we wrote about yesterday, healing doesn’t always happen on our timelines – even for elephants like Lady who have been here for years. It certainly is a promising and exciting site though, isn’t it?
Greg says
June 9, 2022 at 3:02 pmSuch wonderful and intriguing interaction between them all. Keep the videos coming with this unfolding story/adventure!
Beji says
June 9, 2022 at 3:34 pmI’m grinning from ear to ear and my heart is singing…the vibes are good!!
Zoi Flores says
June 9, 2022 at 3:51 pmJust priceless!!!! Thank you for the detailed report and the awesome video.
Wim says
June 9, 2022 at 4:16 pmSo very exciting to watch this process. They have so much to share.
Rachel says
June 9, 2022 at 4:22 pmLovely. Beautiful. I watched twice and my spirit became peaceful and still after the 2nd viewing – filled with joy. 🙏💝
Patricia Aguilar says
June 9, 2022 at 4:45 pmIt’s all I could have wished for them. A good beginning.
Barb says
June 9, 2022 at 4:54 pmThere is nothing to be said that expresses the joy of seeing this interaction between the girls. A very big step for Pocha and Guillermina! Brave girls!
Bridget Long says
June 9, 2022 at 5:04 pmI didn’t realize quite how plump the new girls are until I saw them right next to the “old timers”. This question has probably shady been asked and answered but what is the general condition of Pocha and Guille’s feet? They seem to move around pretty well.
Sara says
June 9, 2022 at 6:01 pmThey certainly do have some weight to lose and muscle to gain. Their feet are not in perfect shape after years of standing on such hard surfaces. But they’re nothing like Lady’s feet. Walking on natural surfaces will help them heal some on their own.
Keryma Franco says
June 9, 2022 at 5:25 pmQue hermoso lo que está pasando, es increíble como van tejiendo las redes para transformarse en una más de la manada. Cuanto tenemos que aprender de estos seres tan maravillosos. Muchas gracias por compartir estos encuentros
Elizabeth says
June 9, 2022 at 5:55 pmLook at all this elephant fun. For the elephants and the watchers. Today is exactly 4 weeks since Pocha and Guillermina’s arrival. I love watching their continued adventures. I have noticed (at least in the videos) that Pocha lets herself be sniffed, but doesn’t do a lot of sniffing. Is that a sign of being respectful, submissive, or nervous? So funny that Mara’s squeaks attracted Pocha. I’m not sure if Mara wanted that.
Sara says
June 9, 2022 at 5:59 pmMara doesn’t seem to mind Pocha, though she was startled by her excitement at first. She was the second – after Bambi – to approach the two in the open. And, yes, Pocha’s behavior is a sign of her being submissive. It’s a gentle way of introducing herself to others.
Bonnie says
June 9, 2022 at 6:15 pmIt’s amazing how far they have come in such a short period of time all of you at the sanctuary are amazing Thank you guys
Debbie Sides says
June 9, 2022 at 6:32 pmMy heart is bursting just seeing this interaction. Their beautiful faces and fuzzy heads all so cute. Bless them
Deb says
June 9, 2022 at 6:44 pmThis video is just the BEST PART OF MY DAY!
It’s wonderful to see all the girls interacting 💕
I’m so happy for a Pocha & Guillermina🐘🐘
Cassie says
June 9, 2022 at 6:57 pmI can’t stop smiling! How wonderful!!!
Deb moore says
June 9, 2022 at 6:59 pmThe sweetness of this interaction made me zing with nerves, smile until it hurt and finally weep with happy tears. Oh Scott this was just amazing and as usual you made the right-time decision to let these Girls move ahead together. Lovely
JR Jenkins says
June 9, 2022 at 7:00 pmAmazing. Just amazing. 😍
Keryma Franco says
June 9, 2022 at 7:09 pmQue maravilla como van haciendo los encuentro hasta que llegará el día en que sean manada
John says
June 9, 2022 at 7:27 pmIt never ceases to amaze me how the girls respond to Scott’s words as if they seem to understand what he’s saying.
CRISTINA VIELMA says
June 9, 2022 at 7:42 pmDICEN QUE LOS ELEFANTES SON ANIMALES DE MANADA CON GRAN INTERACCIÓN, MUCHO DIÁLOGO, Y ESO ES LO QUE PARECE SUCEDER CON ELLOS, DE A POQUITO DE UN LADO Y DE OTRO ESTÁN DESEOSAS DE RELACIONARSE, GUILLERMINA ES PEQUEÑA TODAVÍA Y MUESTRA ESTAR ANCIOSA POR DIALOGAR PERO PARECE QUE SU MADRE ES MÁS CHARLATANA, SEGURAMENTE PORQUE ES MAYOR. IBA A ESCRIBIR DE BAMBI PERO NO PUDE LEER TODAVÍA, TENGO UNOS CAPÍTULOS ATRAZADOS
Tammy says
June 9, 2022 at 7:51 pmCautious steps but all positive I just love watching these videos I get so excited seeing them all together as one big happy family 🙏💞
Patricia says
June 9, 2022 at 10:24 pmThis was so interesting! I would love to know more about what is normal or expected behavior in these circumstances. Maybe I have forgotten past lessons. And trying to imagine the feelings of P & G! Thank you as always and love to all at ESB! 💗💗💗
Sara says
June 10, 2022 at 9:52 amThere really isn’t a “normal” in this scenario. It will depend on the personalities of the elephants involved and the moods of the individuals. No two meetings will be alike.
Terry says
June 9, 2022 at 10:38 pmSO EXCITING!!!!!!
Susy says
June 9, 2022 at 10:52 pmHermoso video. Es comprensible todo..ambas han pasado muchísimo tiempo en soledad..solo las dos en un lugar pequeño. Ahora están reacomodando su vida.. su. espacio.. naturaleza… libertad y seres que aún no entienden que lugar tienen en sus vidas.
bo says
June 9, 2022 at 11:58 pmsooo glad it all went very calm and peaceful, which we all hoped for.
tears of happiness.
so beautiful to see and hear the interactions.
they are hopefully continuing getting along and becoming a bigger group, looking like an actual herd, just like it is in the wild.
thanks to the team of elephant whisperers.
truly magnificent.
Raven says
June 10, 2022 at 12:40 amHow beautiful to watch this interaction, good job everyone! I keep wanting Lady to be in there too, particularly as she reached out to them initially … maybe one day!
katherine says
June 10, 2022 at 5:18 amwonderful , exciting and inspiring.
Pand G show such courage. i love it that their curiosity is in tact, particularly Pocha, after decades in that pit!
Audrey says
June 10, 2022 at 9:51 amSo exciting meeting new friends. As soon as everyone gets to know each other, there will be ele-parties & gatherings, for sure. ❤️
Lovely
Sherry says
June 11, 2022 at 3:59 pmThese elephants look healthy to me. They will lose weight once they get out into the sanctuary and go far
with walking. They are beautiful!
Elizabeth says
June 11, 2022 at 6:17 pmBambi’s skin looks amazing. Yesterday, I saw one of the videos from her first day. What a transformation!!
Kat Blais says
June 11, 2022 at 7:21 pmher skin, her weight, even her vision, have all changed significantly. and that doesn’t touch what has shifted emotionally for her. we were so proud with her approach to P&G. she’s not even close to the elephant she was at the zoo. she’s just lovely.
Sheila K says
June 12, 2022 at 5:06 amAWESOME, VERY VERY HAPPY POCHA AND GUILLE HAVE BEEN GREETED by RANA,MARA,MAIA, BAMBI, THIS IS A START AND IT WAS POCHA WHO HAD THE INITIATIVE. IM SO HAPPY. SEEMS GUILLES BRAVERY IS BUILDING RIGHT NOW. IM ALSO SO HAPPY DEAR SWEET MAIA IS HANGING WITH THE OTHER 3 SOME NOW AND SHE HAS APROACHED POCHA FOR INTRO. VERY LOVELY!!💞💕🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘❤❤ AND I CANNOT FORGET DEAR SWEET Lady🐘❤
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