In today’s podcast, we explore Pocha and Guillermina’s first days and weeks at the sanctuary. Scott recalls how the barn became their safe haven—a home base they returned to whenever the outside world became overwhelming.

We discuss their introductions to the other elephants and how Guillermina’s dominance and aggression toward Pocha, shaped by their 23 years in an unnatural concrete pit, contrasted sharply with natural elephant dynamics. This double rescue was unique, not just because it involved a mother and daughter but also due to the restrictive, man-made environment they endured.

Scott and Kat share touching stories about how, with the space and autonomy of sanctuary, both elephants began rediscovering what it truly means to be an elephant.

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The episode transcript can be found here.

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Who we are: Global Sanctuary for Elephants exists to create vast, safe spaces for captive elephants, where they are able to heal physically and emotionally. There are elephants around the world in need of sanctuary, but too few places exist to be able to care for even a fraction of the elephants. International support is necessary to build sanctuaries for elephants in need of rescue and rehabilitation. Our pilot project is Elephant Sanctuary Brazil, currently home to six female Asian elephants.

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