Global Rumblings Podcast

Rana (Part 2) - One of our listeners sent us the question, “How do elephants feel about the humans they interact with?” In this episode, we talk about facilitating what an elephant needs on an emotional and physical level without crossing the boundaries of forcing ourselves onto them.

Scott and Kat recall how Maia and Guida didn’t ask for much affection from their humans - possibly because of their strong relationship - while Rana is an elephant who does ask for physical contact before her time in the treatment chute. Again, it comes down to reading the room, listening, observing, and seeing what an elephant needs on a daily basis for their recovery. We also talk about how things changed after Guida’s sudden death and how Rana had begun to understand what being a true friend was as she put aside her needs in order to be there for Maia on her terms.

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, currently home to six female Asian elephants.

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, Twitter & 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.

Episode 16

Rana (Part 1) - Meet Rana (pronounced Hana), the sanctuary’s third elephant and also a former circus elephant. She arrived at the sanctuary on Dec 21, 2018. Scott recalls how they heard rumours of a solitary elephant living on the grounds of a hotel on the east coast of Brazil. Luckily, the new hotel owner wanted a better life for Rana and so, after a short period of getting used to the transport crate, Scott, Rana, and their team set off on the long journey home. 

Solitary for most of her life, Rana embraced sanctuary and her new sisters. Upon her arrival, Guida and Maia were strongly bonded and not quite ready to let their exuberant new sister into the mix. Being shunned initially by the two, Rana learned lessons about how to interact with other elephants and is now the most influential elephant in her own unique passive way  - and she has become the elephant who assists new arrivals with easing into a new life at sanctuary. Physically, Rana came with an extremely infected vulva which needed immediate attention and she has a fused left elbow from an accident from her circus years. 

Watch the first video of Rana’s rescue trip here.

Read more about Rana on our website.

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, currently home to six female Asian elephants.

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, Twitter & 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.

Guida & Maia (Part 4) - In this week’s podcast we start off by saying “THANK YOU” to all of our wonderful listeners & introduce the independent Facebook support group ‘Friends of Global Sanctuary for Elephants’.

We talk about the connection of physical and emotional healing of Guida & Maia. The sanctuary’s diverse topography of hills, creeks, and grasslands doesn’t only stimulate muscle building, but also reconnects long unused and shut down senses of sight, smell, and hearing, all of which builds confidence. Scott shares how Guida & Maia built a slide down to the creek despite there being an easier way to cross. Scott: “Sanctuary is the highest of highs and the lowest of lows,” and we end talking about Guida’s sudden passing on June 25, 2019. We do finish on a brighter note, introducing Rana, the next elephant to be rescued, who we will talk more about in our next episode.

Join Friends of Global Sanctuary for Elephants on Facebook.

Links to read up on:

Guida’s memorial page: https://globalelephants.org/guidasmemorial/

Maia’s page: https://globalelephants.org/maia/

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, currently home to six female Asian elephants.

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, Twitter & 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.

Episode 14

Guida & Maia Part III - Kat & Scott share more stories on Guida & Maia’s development from who they were upon arrival at ESB (Elephant Sanctuary Brazil) and who they really are. Scott recalls how today Maia, after her nightly explorations, falls into her morning-zombie mode, often napping in the treatment chute, though it was initially a place that caused shaking from fear and anxiety. Listening and understanding what Maia was communicating was vital to building up mutual trust. With Guida becoming more confident and not tolerating Maia invading her space, Maia learned that she had to honor Guida’s wishes (and sometimes defer) to Guida; if she wanted to be friends with Guida, she needed to respect her. We talk about how their relationship grew as the development of the yards gave both elephants more space and the opportunity to discover themselves by having room to explore. 

This map of the Female Asian habitat will give you a good overview and help you navigate around the sanctuary when we talk about the different yards. Also, the sizes of football fields may help you gauge the size of the yards in the female Asian habitat: 1) American football field incl. surrounding areas: approx. 1.23 acres & 2) European football (soccer) field between 0.6 - 0.8 acres.

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, currently home to six female Asian elephants.

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, Twitter & 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.

Episode 13

Guida & Maia (Part 2) - Kat & Scott share their memories of Guida & Maia’s first steps off the transport crates after a safe and smooth journey to the sanctuary. Due to their difficult relationship, Guida & Maia spent their first night in separate stalls in the elephant care center. Yet it seemed that the magic of sanctuary had already enveloped the two elephants, as Kat recalls her and Scott sleeping on hay bales next to the care center and being woken up frequently during the night by loud trumpets & rumbles. With the safety of the elephants always in their focus, Kat shares how they opened up the gates and let both elephants into yard one after only 24 hours. A shift between Guida and Maia had taken place, and Guida astonished everyone by seemingly taking charge. But it will take a few more months for this superficial bonding to turn into a true friendship, leaving behind decades of trauma and aggression.

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, currently home to six female Asian elephants.

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, Twitter & 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.

Episode 12

Guida & Maia (Part 1) - Female Asian elephants Guida & Maia, ex-circus elephants, were the first who got to experience the magic of sanctuary in Brazil. Confiscated from the circus but with no suitable place to go, they had spent 5 years chained up on the prosecutor’s farm. Scott & Kat share their first encounters with the two elephants and how, through observation, they began to understand each individual’s character. Big, bossy Maia, dubbed the “bad elephant” by the circus, was tense and always ready to lash out, while Guida, labeled the “good elephant,” was seriously underweight and lost in her own world, trying to cope with her life through stereotypic swaying. We talk about how the transport crates were explored with great interest by both elephants and how, with a longer chain, Guida entered a new world for a few hours. Kat explains why their elephant transports are not carried out like those in Asia, and also explains why elephants are not sedated for transport, nor do they leave the crates until they get to the sanctuary. It is all done on elephant time and, when Guida & Maia were comfortable enough, the doors of the transport crates were closed, and their journey to healing began.

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, currently home to six female Asian elephants.

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, Twitter & 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.

Episode 11

Developing the property for the first elephants - The magnificent property is secured, but the pressure is still on with the sanctuary’s first elephants Guida & Maia waiting for their happy end. Learn how Scott & Kat explored the property on foot as there was no money for a 4-wheeler or car - with the main focus being to find the ideal area for building the female Asian habitat. Despite years of experience in building elephant barns, Scott shares how things are done differently in Brazil. From flooded roads hindering the delivery of steel, to fundraising, obtaining permits, and the elephant transport crates leaving the property with their paint coat drying, everything does finally come together in just 10 months, as the alternative would have meant Guida & Maia being sent as an attraction to an aquarium in Sao Paulo.

Check out GSE’s first fundraising video mentioned here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMm8VmBeT-Q

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, currently home to six female Asian elephants.

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, Twitter & 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.

Episode 10

Meet the Team - Rebecca Rodriguez -  In today’s podcast we have Rebecca Rodriguez, Development Director for GSE, as our special guest. As a non-profit organization, GSE’s work relies on private donations and grants, and Rebecca talks about how this work to make the magic of sanctuary possible is very close to her heart. She also shares her insights and impressions of her first ever visit to the sanctuary. Find out about a toad who loved to live in her boots and two unexpected late night visitors. Scott and Rebecca reflect on how the climate and the sanctuary property are not only home to the elephants but also to an increasing wildlife population including tapirs, deers, and many bird species. The ideal climate means that no large heated structures are needed to further develop the property, but really only steel fencing which would make sanctuary possible for South America’s 35 remaining captive elephants.

Reminder! GSE’s Online auction is now live. Check it out here  https://globalelephants.org/trunksandtreasures and bid on many fantastic items including an exclusive trip for 2 to Brazil to meet Kat and Scott and experience sanctuary life firsthand.

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, currently home to six female Asian elephants.

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 & Twitter

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.

Episode 9 (Minisode)

Trunks & Treasures: an online auction and virtual event to support elephants

In our first minisode, Scott and Kat share exciting news about their upcoming online auction and live Facebook event. Save these dates:

With this big fundraising event, Global Sanctuary for Elephants aims to raise much-needed funds to take care of their six female Asian elephants, as well as securing funding to further expand the habitat for more elephants in waiting. 

Auction items include artwork, handmade crafts, a virtual Q&A with GSE’s international veterinarian Trish, a sunset wine and virtual conversation with Scott and Kat (or just Scott), AND an exclusive trip for two to Elephant Sanctuary Brazil!

Check out all details here today at https://globalelephants.org/trunksandtreasures

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, currently home to six female Asian elephants.

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 & Twitter

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

Episode 8

Sanctuary Sweet Sanctuary - Despite much support from the local mayor, Tocantins is just not the right area of Brazil for the sanctuary. Kat and Scott share how they decided to move to the Mato Grosso region and how - after looking at many properties - they always ended up back at the current sanctuary property. With the universe obviously nudging them to this magnificent property and Ramba still waiting for her happy end, the property price of one million USD seemed an unattainable goal. But the magic of sanctuary puts like-minded people with generous hearts on the path of Scott and Kat until finally, their dream of starting a sanctuary for captive elephants in South America crosses its last hurdle.

Watch the video of Lady and her bird friends Scott mentions here.

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, currently home to six female Asian elephants.

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 & Twitter

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 are 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.