Sweet Grandma Ramba

Sweet grandma Ramba looks more like a grandma by the day. ❤️ There is about $5,000 left in the second $10,000 match for the fundraiser to rescue Ramba to Elephant Sanctuary Brazil. It’s a chance to double your generous gift towards changing her life. Donate here to double your money →

We use ‘grandma’ as a term of endearment, specifically related to her age, she has never had a calf that we know of. Her original documentation no longer exists, so listing her age at 53 is an estimate. This comes from physical features that are common in elephants over 50. There is a typical type of muscle mass loss: their head appears thinner, their spine becomes more pronounced, all while keeping a little potbelly. Skin also becomes saggier in places, like her extra wrinkly ankles.

Age is almost impossible to gauge by looking at an elephant’s face due to the impact captivity has on their appearance. We have seen elephants whose faces look 50 when they are only in their late 20s. The struggles of their life show significantly on their face. Ramba is likely a little older than our estimate, but that’s ok. No matter her age, or the length of time she is with us at the sanctuary, experiencing the freedom and family that sanctuary will bring her, will be life-altering.

We look forward to sharing her arrival and providing her with a safe space to open her heart fully and enjoy everything sanctuary has to offer. Please continue to, ❤️, share and comment on our posts, so more people learn about Ramba’s need to get to sanctuary. Thank you to those who have given and helped get her this far.

August 19, 2019

Comments(4)

Maggie says
August 19, 2019 at 4:15 pm
Hi beautiful Ramba. I’ve got to wait another couple of weeks before I can make another donation.
As for the saggy skin as your an older lady, that’s happening with me too!! ???????
Carey says
August 19, 2019 at 6:46 pm
Yes no matter age or length of time, this fine lady deserves all that we can give her. Especially in her senior years – the warmth will be, I would think, a great relief for types of arthritis or other musculoskeletal conditions? Do elephants suffer from arthritis?
- REPLY
  Kat Blais says
  August 19, 2019 at 7:12 pm
  Yes, arthritis, joint and foot disease are all leading causes of death in captive elephants. Luckily, her yard is decent and she has a pond, so her body is better off than most captive elephants. It’s not enough, but that will all change very soon. 🙂
Carolyn McNeil says
August 19, 2019 at 9:46 pm
Decided to send another donation instead of t shirt purchase. This way you get all the money. Her sweet face, dainty pose and a strong spirit deserves a lifelong stint in elephant paradise and be part of a herd.

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