Rana and How Space Brings Emotional Healing

We can only imagine how trapped a captive elephant must feel when they’re stuck in a small enclosure, knowing they don’t have the resources to care for their own needs. They can’t roam and take care of their physical necessities, but they also may not have the ability to properly address their emotional wellbeing. Many elephants seem to close themselves off inside, almost pushing down the idea of what it means at their core to be an elephant.

For years, Rana was kept at a zoo hotel as an attraction for visitors. When we first met her there, Scott said she was perhaps the most isolated elephant he’d ever seen, and also the most starved for engagement. It makes sense that, when she arrived at Elephant Sanctuary Brazil, she was hungry for interaction–with other elephants and the world around her. The sanctuary offered itself to Rana and she found a few favorite spots to graze. She would immerse herself in the ponds and exfoliate on the famous “Itchy Scratchy Tree.” The walks and swims seemed to help her aching joints and soften her overgrown feet.

But, her overly enthusiastic energy was somewhat exhausting for Maia and Guida, and they invited her to take some time to herself until she was able to better manage her emotional responses. She needed to learn to sometimes put other elephants’ needs above her own, and without the space to immerse herself in her feelings and process her behavior, she might never have been able to acclimate to being around other elephants the way she has. She seemed lighter than we’d ever witnessed; she was learning to become an elephant again.

By the time Ramba arrived, Rana was much more comfortable with her new home and herself. Once Rana decided that Ramba definitely wanted to be friends, all of her walls appeared to come down. The time she took for herself helped her understand that she could fill a need for her friends if she just took time to listen and sense what they were telling her. She became a loud girl and made a range of noises from squeaks to rumbles. You could hear her on her walks with Ramba making what we call “deflated” trumpets. She has thrived with space, and those early difficulties couldn’t have been addressed without the ability to see the potential in what her new world could be.

When making your plans for end-of-year giving, we hope you’ll consider a donation to Global Sanctuary for Elephants, as we work to expand the Female Asian Habitat for Rana and all her sisters. Thanks to another generous match from the same collective of donors who supported GivingTuesday, we’re able to offer yet another $75,000 match. This means your gift will once again be doubled. Our total year-end goal of $300,000 is ambitious, but we’re already more than halfway there! Thanks for your ongoing support and thoughtfulness. You make the difference for the sanctuary team and, most importantly, the elephants who call this place home.

P.S.: This is a throwback video of Scott and Rana, where Scott talks about the benefits of space.

Comments(12)

Alejandra Enquin says
December 29, 2025 at 3:27 pm

Rana la Abu más adorable! pobrecita con su ansiedad para comunicarse tras el cautiverio,y luego se adaptó a las otras chicas pero lo mejor fue cuando llegó Mara a su vida y se volvieron mejores amigas ,hermanas.que felices son en el Santuario
Wim says
December 29, 2025 at 4:57 pm

Dearest Rana you’ve shown us your remarkable resilience, surviving so many different difficult stages of life, and still getting out stronger and more lovely as before. I’m so unbelievably happy, you’ve got space to dwell and to live a free elephant life. Brightest Blessings for the coming year. 🫶🐘🍉
JoAnn Merriman-Eaton says
December 29, 2025 at 5:04 pm

Rana you beautiful soul. In spite of your lonely background, you have grown and become a friend to all. A mentor to new girls that may need space at first, just as you did. You have thrived at GSE, and shown once again that sanctuary heals. ❤️🐘
Susan martin says
December 29, 2025 at 6:07 pm

How wonderful that they are free to enjoy a night out, can only imagine how carers must feel when you cannot track them down given recent events xxx
Jeanine says
December 29, 2025 at 8:10 pm

Love that girl.🥰
Donna Lee Pelley Morales says
December 30, 2025 at 10:47 pm

I believe that Elephants are so awesome, smart, intelligent, with tender feelings for those they love & trust. To bad people can’t be as considerate. I love all animals but Elephants are on top of my list.
Michelle Craigie says
December 31, 2025 at 10:29 am

How is Kenya? I haven’t seen anything about her recently
- REPLY
  Sara says
  December 31, 2025 at 11:35 am
  
  Kenya sadly passed away a few weeks ago. We still need necropsy results before we can say for sure what happened, but we explained as much as we know here: https://globalelephants.org/what-we-know-so-far-about-pupy-and-kenyas-passing/
Rhonda says
December 31, 2025 at 3:24 pm

Love love ❤ love elephant’s 👍 ❤ 😍
Gloria E Odell says
December 31, 2025 at 3:59 pm

I love what your doing for these gracious souls! God bless all of you.you are doing a great justice for these wonderful elephants!
Appa says
January 1, 2026 at 8:04 am

Elephants have der own morals. Some immoral people must learn how 2have morality from animals like elephants. Plus wot is interesting is elephants have da power to trample der enemies, so never underestimate elephants.
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