Kenya & Pupy’s first steps together

Please note that this episode was recorded prior to Pupy’s sudden passing.

The moment we’ve all been waiting for since Kenya’s relocation to Elephant Sanctuary Brazil on July 9, 2025, is finally here! Pupy and Kenya are now sharing the same yards, and can begin exploring this next step.

Scott and Kat share how Kenya is learning to channel her big energy as she realizes that Pupy needs more reassurance in this new relationship. We also explore how Pupy’s past elephant interactions have shaped her personality, and why—just like with humans—being the same species doesn’t automatically mean becoming best friends. Expectations need to be realistic and never forced onto the elephants.

With Halloween just around the corner, we also talk about Kenya’s foot health and the fundraiser dedicated to it. Decades of captivity and little to no medical care have taken their toll on her feet, and she will require ongoing, long-term care.

🎃Donate here: Kenya’s Halloween Foot Care Fundraiser

Join the Facebook support group Friends of GSE

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads & YouTube. 

The episode transcript can be found here.

Email: We’d love to hear from you [email protected]

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 where Asian and African elephants relocated from across South America live their best lives.

Website: https://globalelephants.org/

Donate: Global Sanctuary for Elephants is a U.S. 501(c)3 non-profit. Our work is made possible by donations. You can support our work with a general donation, purchasing items from our wishlist, or adopting one (or all) of our elephants for a year. You can also donate with Crypto!

Thank you for your support!

While we encourage and appreciate you sharing our podcast, please note that…

This presentation is protected by U.S. and International copyright laws. Reproduction and distribution of the presentation or its contents without written permission of the sponsor is prohibited.

© 2023 Global Sanctuary for Elephants

A big Thank You to the talented musicians Mike McGill, Ron McGill, & Sean Rodriquez for composing our podcast jingle.

On 29 August 2013, Global Sanctuary for Elephants was founded as a U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit—paving the way to a better life for South America’s elephants. In today’s episode, we look at the progress made over the past 12 years and what still needs to happen so captive elephants everywhere can live as naturally as possible.

☕ Giveaway: 🎉 Don’t miss your chance to celebrate 12 years with us! Win one of 12 “Sip-Rumble-Repeat” podcast mugs by sending an email to [email protected] with the words “I’d love a mug”.

If you don’t win, you can still order your mug at shop.globalelephants.org.

The episode transcript can be found here.

Email: We’d love to hear from you [email protected]

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 where Asian and African elephants relocated from across South America live their best lives.

Website: https://globalelephants.org/

Donate: Global Sanctuary for Elephants is a U.S. 501(c)3 non-profit. Our work is made possible by donations. You can support our work with a general donation, purchasing items from our wishlist, or adopting one (or all) of our elephants for a year. You can also donate with Crypto!

Thank you for your support!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, & YouTube 

While we encourage and appreciate you sharing our podcast, please note that…

This presentation is protected by U.S. and International copyright laws. Reproduction and distribution of the presentation or its contents without written permission of the sponsor is prohibited.

© 2023 Global Sanctuary for Elephants

A big Thank You to the talented musicians Mike McGill, Ron McGill, & Sean Rodriquez for composing our podcast jingle.

Time flies when you’re having fun—and that couldn’t be truer for Kenya, who has already spent her first four weeks in her new home.

In this episode, we discuss how Kenya is settling in, transforming from a polite wanderer into a bold explorer. She’s knocking down trees, enjoying her mud wallow, and her caregivers are training her to get comfortable with routine examinations.

And what about Pupy? While they often meet along the fence line, Scott and Kat explain that Pupy just needs a bit more time to adjust to Kenya’s bubbling energy.

Like the elephants before her, Kenya’s transformation—both physical and psychological—is well underway as she discovers herself with every step.

The episode transcript can be found here.

Email: We’d love to hear from you [email protected]

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 where Asian and African elephants relocated from across South America live their best lives.

Website: https://globalelephants.org/

Donate: Global Sanctuary for Elephants is a U.S. 501(c)3 non-profit. Our work is made possible by donations. You can support our work with a general donation, purchasing items from our wishlist, or adopting one (or all) of our elephants for a year. You can also donate with Crypto!

Thank you for your support!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, & YouTube 

While we encourage and appreciate you sharing our podcast, please note that…

This presentation is protected by U.S. and International copyright laws. Reproduction and distribution of the presentation or its contents without written permission of the sponsor is prohibited.

© 2023 Global Sanctuary for Elephants

A big Thank You to the talented musicians Mike McGill, Ron McGill, & Sean Rodriquez for composing our podcast jingle.

Happy days! Elephant Sanctuary Brazil has a new resident: Kenya, the female African elephant relocated from Mendoza Ecoparque in Argentina. In this podcast, we talk about the final days leading up to her move and the last-minute preparations before the team hit the road. Scott shares stories from the five-day journey, including some unexpected technical issues with the truck.

It was another daylight arrival—unlike Pupy, Kenya didn’t wait long to take her first steps onto sanctuary grounds.

A big thank you to Argentina, which has officially ended the practice of keeping elephants in captive zoo settings—an ethical decision that needs to be echoed around the world.

Check out Kenya’s relocation journey and learn more about her here.

Buy a gift basket for Kenya in our online shop.

The episode transcript can be found here.

Email: We’d love to hear from you [email protected]

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 where Asian and African elephants relocated from across South America live their best lives.

Website: https://globalelephants.org/

Donate: Global Sanctuary for Elephants is a U.S. 501(c)3 non-profit. Our work is made possible by donations. You can support our work with a general donation, purchasing items from our wishlist, or adopting one (or all) of our elephants for a year. You can also donate with Crypto!

Thank you for your support!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, & YouTube 

While we encourage and appreciate you sharing our podcast, please note that…

This presentation is protected by U.S. and International copyright laws. Reproduction and distribution of the presentation or its contents without written permission of the sponsor is prohibited.

© 2023 Global Sanctuary for Elephants

A big Thank You to the talented musicians Mike McGill, Ron McGill, & Sean Rodriquez for composing our podcast jingle.

With the shock and sadness of Tamy’s sudden passing still fresh, we take a closer look at the mechanisms behind elephant rescues and the broader challenges GSE faces. Transparency has always been a core value at GSE, and this extends to Tamy’s relocation story.

Kat and Scott share their thoughts on how elephants in captivity—particularly in zoos unequipped to meet their complex needs—have often been neglected for decades. While that neglect is quietly accepted by many, efforts to offer these elephants a better life are sometimes met with resistance and public outcry. External pressures, internal politics, complacency, and a reluctance to support meaningful change can ultimately rob elephants of the chance to live with dignity and autonomy—leaving them stuck in inappropriate environments or, as in Tamy’s case, passing away before rescue becomes reality.

Though we end the podcast in tears, Scott expresses a firm commitment to continue fighting for these elephants, despite this heartbreaking setback.

The episode transcript can be found here.

Email: We’d love to hear from you [email protected]

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 where Asian and African elephants relocated from across South America live their best lives.

Website: https://globalelephants.org/

Donate: Global Sanctuary for Elephants is a U.S. 501(c)3 non-profit. Our work is made possible by donations. You can support our work with a general donation, purchasing items from our wishlist, or adopting one (or all) of our elephants for a year. You can also donate with Crypto!

Thank you for your support!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, & YouTube 

While we encourage and appreciate you sharing our podcast, please note that…

This presentation is protected by U.S. and International copyright laws. Reproduction and distribution of the presentation or its contents without written permission of the sponsor is prohibited.

© 2023 Global Sanctuary for Elephants

A big Thank You to the talented musicians Mike McGill, Ron McGill, & Sean Rodriquez for composing our podcast jingle.

In this week’s podcast, we shine a light on the humans behind the sanctuary—especially co-founders Kat and Scott—to find out what they actually do all day. You might be surprised to learn that direct elephant care isn’t the main part of their daily routine. A large portion of their work involves managing staff in both Brazil and the U.S., juggling logistics, and overseeing projects across multiple time zones.

Kat and Scott also talk about their current projects and how their decades of expertise in captive elephant husbandry have made them sought-after consultants. Despite the heavy workload and immense responsibility of running a sanctuary, neither would have it any other way.

And soon, the winner (and guest) of our virtual auction sweepstakes will get the chance to see it all firsthand during their upcoming visit to the sanctuary.

Please note that this podcast was recorded before Tamy’s passing.

The episode transcript can be found here.

Email: We’d love to hear from you [email protected]

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 where Asian and African elephants relocated from across South America live their best lives.

Website: https://globalelephants.org/

Donate: Global Sanctuary for Elephants is a U.S. 501(c)3 non-profit. Our work is made possible by donations. You can support our work with a general donation, purchasing items from our wishlist, or adopting one (or all) of our elephants for a year. You can also donate with Crypto!

Thank you for your support!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, & YouTube 

While we encourage and appreciate you sharing our podcast, please note that…

This presentation is protected by U.S. and International copyright laws. Reproduction and distribution of the presentation or its contents without written permission of the sponsor is prohibited.

© 2023 Global Sanctuary for Elephants

A big Thank You to the talented musicians Mike McGill, Ron McGill, & Sean Rodriquez for composing our podcast jingle.

Our virtual online auction, Trunks & Treasures, is back! Starting on June 13 and running for 10 days, all proceeds will go toward the costs of relocating Kenya and Tamy—the last two elephants at the Mendoza Ecoparque in Argentina. Join us here: www.globalelephants.org/trunksandtreasures and bid on charming elephant items, purchase gifts for the Girls, and—if you’re a U.S. resident—buy one or more entries for a chance to win the prize of a lifetime: a 3-day trip with one guest to the sanctuary!

We also delve deeper into Pupy's journey of self-discovery and how she is healing both physically and emotionally from decades of unnatural captivity. The abundance and vastness of the sanctuary grounds are unveiling Pupy's true spirit, which she continues to discover each day.

The episode transcript can be found here.

Email: We’d love to hear from you [email protected]

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 where Asian and African elephants relocated from across South America live their best lives.

Website: https://globalelephants.org/

Donate: Global Sanctuary for Elephants is a U.S. 501(c)3 non-profit. Our work is made possible by donations. You can support our work with a general donation, purchasing items from our wishlist, or adopting one (or all) of our elephants for a year. You can also donate with Crypto!

Thank you for your support!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, & YouTube 

While we encourage and appreciate you sharing our podcast, please note that…

This presentation is protected by U.S. and International copyright laws. Reproduction and distribution of the presentation or its contents without written permission of the sponsor is prohibited.

© 2023 Global Sanctuary for Elephants

A big Thank You to the talented musicians Mike McGill, Ron McGill, & Sean Rodriquez for composing our podcast jingle.

In this episode, Scott shares how the decision to initiate Pupy's relocation came together swiftly, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the entire team. Despite thorough preparation, the final moments—closing the crate door and Pupy's brief reaction—remained a poignant challenge.

Pupy adapted remarkably well, and the impressive convoy, comprising 26 team members, embarked on the journey. Upon arrival at the sanctuary, the world watched as Pupy, taking her time, stepped out of the crate to begin her new life.

Her departure from the ecoparque marked the end of 120 years of elephant captivity in Buenos Aires—a truly momentous occasion.

The episode transcript can be found here.

Email: We’d love to hear from you [email protected]

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 where Asian and African elephants relocated from across South America live their best lives.

Website: https://globalelephants.org/

Donate: Global Sanctuary for Elephants is a U.S. 501(c)3 non-profit. Our work is made possible by donations. You can support our work with a general donation, purchasing items from our wishlist, or adopting one (or all) of our elephants for a year. You can also donate with Crypto!

Thank you for your support!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, & YouTube 

While we encourage and appreciate you sharing our podcast, please note that…

This presentation is protected by U.S. and International copyright laws. Reproduction and distribution of the presentation or its contents without written permission of the sponsor is prohibited.

© 2023 Global Sanctuary for Elephants

A big Thank You to the talented musicians Mike McGill, Ron McGill, & Sean Rodriquez for composing our podcast jingle.

Transparency in our work can be both a blessing and a challenge. This week, we catch up with Kat in Brazil and Scott in Argentina, where he is assisting both Kenya’s (Mendoza) and Pupy’s (Buenos Aires) caregiver teams with relocation training. Kat and Scott share how the introduction of a chain in Pupy’s crate training has raised concerns among even long-time supporters. We also discuss why sedating an elephant during transport is not an option for GSE.​

The challenges of Tamy’s situation are discussed in more detail. His enclosure is too small to accommodate both the crate and the necessary space for training. This limitation poses significant hurdles, as he is in a pit surrounded by high and thick concrete walls. The urgency of his situation is understood by all involved at the eco-park.​

The episode transcript can be found here.

Email: We’d love to hear from you [email protected]

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 where Asian and African elephants relocated from across South America live their best lives.

Website: https://globalelephants.org/

Donate: Global Sanctuary for Elephants is a U.S. 501(c)3 non-profit. Our work is made possible by donations. You can support our work with a general donation, purchasing items from our wishlist, or adopting one (or all) of our elephants for a year. You can also donate with Crypto!

Thank you for your support!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, & YouTube 

While we encourage and appreciate you sharing our podcast, please note that…

This presentation is protected by U.S. and International copyright laws. Reproduction and distribution of the presentation or its contents without written permission of the sponsor is prohibited.

© 2023 Global Sanctuary for Elephants

A big Thank You to the talented musicians Mike McGill, Ron McGill, & Sean Rodriquez for composing our podcast jingle.

In this week’s episode, we catch up on events at Ecoparque Mendoza in Argentina, where female African elephant Kenya has received a significant new item: her transport crate! Marcos, one of GSE’s caregivers, is on-site, preparing and training Kenya for her upcoming journey to Elephant Sanctuary Brazil.

Kat also declares her love for Tamy, the male Asian elephant destined for his forever home at the sanctuary. However, his training presents several challenges, including determining a suitable training location within the zoo, as his current habitat is inadequate. More importantly, GSE needs to find a caregiver committed to spending three months in Argentina to build trust with Tamy.