Help take extra special care of an elephant that is close to your heart. 
This Sunday we have big news to make you smile a little bigger. After thorough review, SEMA (the state governing agency) has reinstated our license. They reviewed all of the documentation requested and determined that we have met the required standards. The level of scrutiny we have faced is unprecedented, but it shines a light on the unbalanced standards applied to elephant facilities throughout the country and often, around the world, for sanctuaries of different species. Unfortunately, it seems that still more asks are being made of the sanctuary that are not made to other facilities with elephants in Brazil; but we will continue to perform our due diligence, proving that the care we provide far surpasses the care of other facilities–because we will always fight for what is best for elephants. Thanks for your support during this process, and for continuing to fight for elephants’ wellbeing. We look forward to the day when we can bring a new elephant home to sanctuary.
Photo of Rana in the shade
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Joy Corley says
February 15, 2026 at 2:03 pmThis is WONDERFUL news! 🎉🎉🎉
Wim says
February 15, 2026 at 2:05 pmCongratulations to all, time to move on and forget this treacherous attack.
All elephants are equal but some are more equal than others.
Captivated animals always pay the highest price.
Pauline Forbes says
February 15, 2026 at 2:11 pmThat’s great news! I am happy for you and for those precious elephants. Keep on going, they need you and I know you love them and certainly provide the best for them.
Sherry says
February 15, 2026 at 2:28 pmCongratulations!! I am so happy for you all!!
Sandy Crile says
February 15, 2026 at 2:32 pmThe double standard makes me crazy. It seems zoos are willing to send their elephants to sanctuary when they have grown too old and/or their health has deteriorated, and they don’t want them to die on their watch. Ramba is a perfect example.
Sara says
February 15, 2026 at 2:55 pmOur supporters came out in droves for Ramba, even though they knew she might have limited time. It goes to show how much our followers truly understand and appreciate the power of sanctuary, even in the face of illness.
Beji says
February 16, 2026 at 10:46 amMake no mistake. You are doing God’s work here on earth. Thank you.
Heidi says
February 15, 2026 at 2:39 pmThis is wonderful news. Congratulations!
Jeanine says
February 15, 2026 at 2:52 pmThank you for the update. This was all unnecessary and a waste of time but am happy that you can go forward now.❤️
Katie Howard says
February 15, 2026 at 2:52 pmGod is good!
Toni says
February 15, 2026 at 2:59 pmHearty congratulations! Well done on so many levels: rising above, staying the course, and setting the gold standard for elephant care and sanctuaries in general. Sending wishes for love, growth, and healing for all involved.
Diane Kastel says
February 15, 2026 at 3:04 pmI am so very relieved! Congratulations! Perhaps, your last sentence addressed this, but, please confirm that you are now allowed to rescue more elephants? Also, did the governing agency agree that Pupy’s and Kenya’s deaths were not the result of poor care?
Sara says
February 15, 2026 at 3:48 pmWe’re still waiting on final results, but they had access to the available data.
Diane Kastel says
February 15, 2026 at 3:05 pmI am so very relieved! Congratulations! Perhaps, your last sentence addressed this, but, please confirm that you are now allowed to rescue more elephants?
Sara says
February 15, 2026 at 3:47 pmYes! That’s the approval!
Shelley Wolinsky says
February 15, 2026 at 3:06 pmWhy so harsh?
Sharon Klesse says
February 15, 2026 at 3:08 pmCongratulations. Well done!
What are the next steps in rescuing more elephants?
Sara says
February 15, 2026 at 3:50 pmWe’re always in conversation about elephants that might come to sanctuary, so we’re constantly involved in that process, sometimes working on legal action with multiple elephants at once.
B says
February 15, 2026 at 3:18 pmI would love to see African elephants able to thrive there.
Ada says
February 15, 2026 at 3:21 pmYES!!! I love this for the sanctuary, for the team, for the eles who are residing there now, and for the future eles who will make this beautiful sanctuary their home🙂↕️🥰
Frances Beasley says
February 15, 2026 at 3:46 pmSo many congratulations that this has finally been sorted after a long protracted time. You do such good work. Thank you
Johnny says
February 15, 2026 at 4:00 pm😁 🔵 ☀️ ♦️ ☀️ 🔵 ☀️ 🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘 ☀️ 🔵 ☀️ ♦️ ☀️ 🔵 😀
Susan Hunt says
February 15, 2026 at 4:20 pmBrilliant. I never doubted you for a minute. Ignorance abounds. But you’ve overcome that. You are loved one supported by so many of us that know your good work. We will stand by you.
Susan says
February 15, 2026 at 5:08 pm❤️🐘This is wonderful news, but I never had a shred of doubt that you would be reinstated. I think what people forget is that when animals – and people – are in a state of fight mode for prolonged periods of time for various reasons, if & when they finally find safety &/or relief their adrenaline levels lower, which subsequently lowers their resistance. As a result, two things can happen. Some will thrive & find a way to move forward… here, as in the case of the Asian lovelies at GSE. However, in others like Pupy & Kenya, there may be an underlying or previously undetected illness that takes the opportunity to come to the fore & completely consume the body at a time when there is no fight or strength left to battle it, resulting in the worst outcome… the sad & tragic loss of life. I’ve seen it happen over the years. I’ve wondered if Kenya didn’t die of a broken heart. She was alone for so long & I remember that exuberant spark of wonder when she first spied Pupy on her first day at sanctuary, rushing over in excited amazement. That moment still haunts me, as over not to much time they were finally adjusting to & finding comfort with each other when Pupy died. Kenya died so soon afterward that I really wonder if the loss wasn’t all too much for her & she gave up her fight, seeing eternal resting peace as a possibility to heal her pain. My heart & prayers are with Kat, Scott & GSE, as they continue to mourn Pupy & Kenya while continuing to care for & bring joy to the beautiful Asian ladies… showing authorities & the world that they know how to best provide a dignified, healthy & safe environment for the retired & aging eles of South America. Godspeed.
Alice says
February 15, 2026 at 5:38 pmI am sooooooo glad!! I’m also sorry that you have had to go thru this whole process to prove over and over again the truth about GSB and the exemplary care you provide for the elephants. Know that we are with you always!
Beci says
February 15, 2026 at 5:43 pmYay 👏🏻💞 what great news. I’m so happy and even though we know you guys are doing everything right it doesn’t mean it will go right because look what’s happening to America. 😞 I never did find where to sign but it’s not needed now.
Yasmin says
February 15, 2026 at 5:44 pmAn expected outcome but great news just the same! It is appalling that what you do, the excellent level of care you provide, and your overall high standards should even be questioned. May they look into other facilities now.
Alida says
February 15, 2026 at 7:05 pmWell done Scott, Kat and the ESB team! 👋👋👋 Please continue your amazing work in rescuing and protecting the innocent eles that deserve a better life, and thank you for all you do for the current residents in your Sanctuary, they are truly blessed to be cared by you ❤️🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘❤️ Rana is looking cute as always 🥰
Tammy says
February 15, 2026 at 9:48 pmCongratulations everyone but honestly I’m not surprised in the least you all take such wonderful care of these beautiful ladies you are a shining example of what Sanctuary life should be like around the world so take a bow everyone you did it! 🥳
Bonnie says
February 15, 2026 at 10:36 pmGood News Thanks for the good news Sara I’m sure you all are very happy and you all should be again thanks for sharing
Denise says
February 16, 2026 at 5:55 amThat is fantastic, you should never have been put through the nightmare of having to prove yourselves, you guys are amazing and the elephants need you
Rae says
February 16, 2026 at 8:05 amAt last, hallelujah! Congratulations and bless you for your steadfast commitment to our Girls.
Karen L. Hilliard says
February 16, 2026 at 8:17 amCongratulations to all, especially our girls!!!
Carey says
February 16, 2026 at 8:53 amGSE In Brazil – The whole thing was absurd But then we know how zoo orgs like AZAB work. Hopefully SEMA now understands that also and I thank SEMA personnel who felt they had a legal duty to respond to AZAB complaints but tell the truth about the sanctuary’s care. unlike zoos you do not exploit, abuse or heavily restrict the natural behaviours / needs of the elephants – quite the opposite. I feel proud to be a supporter of this sanctuary who have educated us all.
Terry says
February 16, 2026 at 9:41 amHow fantastic! As always, nice work!!! Truth and transparency will always shine through!!!! Honesty will always prevail!
Barbara L Smith says
February 18, 2026 at 3:38 pmWonderful news!🙏🏽❤️
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