Pocha, along with her daughter Guillermina, lived over the wall from Tamy at the Mendoza EcoParque in Argentina before they made the journey to Elephant Sanctuary Brazil in May 2022.  In the concrete pit they were confined to, there was little room for separation- 4 meters is about the limit they could wander. Pocha, playing the role of a good mom, is the stronger of the two, always carrying the role of protector.

At the zoo, Pocha was light skinned, in part from rubbing on the concrete walls and in part because of her dry skin. She also wears a lot of pink skin with black polka-dots, common with the natural depigmentation that occurs in Asian elephants. Her moderate frame carried saggy skin.  She has a cheeky smile but her bright eyes were shielding her spirit. Instead of being the windows to her soul she had learned to close that portal, to protect her heart while clearly saying, “Be careful, I am here to protect.” That said, the playful spirit of her daughter resides within Pocha as well.

At the sanctuary, Pocha was the first to venture out of her transport crate, but not before playing in the sand and puddles of rain for over 4 hours.  She may never have dusted herself with sand before, but doing so was instinctual and it clearly felt good. Her new life at the sanctuary has just begun.  After spending an eternity in a concrete pit, everything is new now:  new smells, new tastes, new surroundings, and new sounds – including the sounds of the other elephant residents.  Both Pocha and Guillermina have been transitioning well, taking their time and doing things at their own pace.  Both are very chatty – talking, squeaking, raspberries, little trumpets, honks, and more squeaks.

Although Pocha has had brief encounters with the other girls, on her own time and only when she is ready, Pocha will begin to fully discover the vast land and full life that lies ahead of her.

Learn more about her journey to Elephant Sanctuary Brazil.

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