We’re back after a short, unplanned break, as Scott and the ESB team have been busy organizing and carrying out the transport for Sandro, the sanctuary’s first male Asian elephant.

We kick off this episode with an update on how Sandro is settling into his new life of autonomy, respect, and choice at the sanctuary which means that, very often, he is nowhere near camera reception, but instead out exploring his habitat.

Scott then takes us back to the events surrounding Sandro’s relocation from Sorocaba Zoo. We discussed the opposition to Sandro’s relocation in our last episode, but the incitement to violence by the city’s mayor, the protests, and the need for security guards and personal protection for the entire team made this an especially complex task.

But Scott and the ESB team did what they do best: they showed what decades of elephant expertise mean when carrying out a relocation like this, remaining open to dialogue even when faced with hostility, and ultimately bringing Sandro safely home after two and a half days on the road.

LINKS:

❤️ Give a little extra love & care by adopting Sandro

❤️ Shop for yourself, friends & the elephants

❤️ Stay connected on Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads & YouTube.

The episode transcript can be found here.

Email: We’d love to hear from you podcast@globalelephants.org

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 former zoo and circus elephants 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.

After more than four decades at the Sorocaba Zoo in São Paulo State, Brazil, male Asian elephant Sandro may finally be on his way to Elephant Sanctuary Brazil.

In this episode, we look back at Sandro’s long and somewhat uncertain history — from being taken from Asia as a young elephant and trained for circus life in the Netherlands, to performing in Brazilian circuses and eventually arriving at Sorocaba Zoo in 1982.

We talk about the years-long legal battle over Sandro’s future and why elephant relocations can involve so much work behind the scenes that simply cannot be shared while it is happening. We also look at some of the arguments used against moving elephants to sanctuary — and why those same concerns rarely seem to arise when elephants are transferred between zoos.

With Sandro’s relocation now moving forward, we talk about the preparations and challenges involved — from working within the limitations of his enclosure while ensuring everyone’s safety, to adapting his transport crate to keep him as comfortable as possible while travelling through Central Brazil during the hottest time of year.

And what will Sandro himself make of all these preparations? As always, the elephant ultimately has quite a lot to say about how things go.

If all goes according to plan, this charming, cheeky and rather “spicy” elephant will become Elephant Sanctuary Brazil’s first male Asian elephant — and finally have the opportunity to discover a very different way of life.

LINKS:

❤️ Help bring Sandro home. Donate here. Thank you!

❤️ Brazilian website: Sandro no santuario já.

The official episode transcript can be found here.

Email: We’d love to hear from you podcast@globalelephants.org

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 former zoo and circus elephants 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, Threads & 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.

Before jumping into stories from Baby's first weeks at Elephant Sanctuary Brazil, we revisit a topic from our previous episode and put the sugar content of Gatorade into perspective by comparing it with sugar cane.

We also say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who supported our Trunks & Treasures online auction. Together with an incredibly generous donation from a longtime dedicated supporter, the sanctuary's very first on-site medical building is now fully funded.

Lastly, we share updates on how Baby is settling into her new home. We talk about her growing bond with her new caregivers, her love of hose baths, and most importantly, her increasing confidence as she explores her new world.

LINKS:

❤️ Our first medical building is funded. Thank you!

❤️ Give a little extra love & care by adopting Baby.

❤️ Shop for yourself, friends & the elephants

❤️ Stay connected on Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads & YouTube.

The episode transcript can be found here.

Email: We’d love to hear from you podcast@globalelephants.org

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 former zoo and circus elephants 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.

Elephant Sanctuary Brazil has a new resident! Baby, a 34-year-old female Asian elephant, arrived at the sanctuary on 20 June 2026, following a court-ordered relocation from Beto Carrero World in Brazil.

In this episode, we look back at Baby’s life before sanctuary, and one thing becomes strikingly clear: her story reflects many of the themes we’ve explored throughout our Rethinking Elephants series. Born into captivity, separated from her mother before her first birthday, and sold into the entertainment industry, Baby spent more than three decades under human control before finally beginning a new chapter.

Kat and Scott reflect on Baby’s past, discuss the medical challenges she now faces, and explain why patience and careful observation will be key to understanding who Baby truly is.

Despite the sobering realities of her past, Baby’s story is ultimately one of hope. It is another reminder that sanctuary offers captive elephants the chance to finally live life on their own terms.

Muito obrigado to everyone who helped make Baby’s rescue possible.

LINKS

❤️ Give a little extra love & care by adopting Baby.

❤️ Shop for yourself, friends & the elephants

❤️ Watch Baby get a big bath from Scott.

❤️ Stay connected on Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads & YouTube.

The episode transcript can be found here.

Email: We’d love to hear from you podcast@globalelephants.org

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 former zoo and circus elephants 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, Threads & 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.

We’ve all heard an elephant trumpet, but what does a rumble or a squeak sound like? Where in the body are these sounds produced, and what do they mean?

In this week’s episode, we explore the fascinating world of elephant communication. From audible vocalizations to infrasonic and seismic communication beyond human hearing, we discuss the many ways elephants share information with one another.

We also explore how captivity may influence communication. How do elephants who have spent years—or even decades—in isolation learn to “talk elephant” when they finally get the chance to live with other elephants? Is communication instinctive, learned, or a combination of both?

Actually, our conversation starts with a surprising, and rather funny, misunderstanding over the word “torch”, proving that communication can be complicated even when humans are speaking the same language.

PS: No slugs were harmed during or after this recording. 💚

Links:

❤️ Become a Pathfinder and support our work starting at USD10 a month.

❤️Stay connected on Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads & YouTube.

The episode transcript can be found here.

Email: We’d love to hear from you podcast@globalelephants.org

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 former zoo and circus elephants 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.

In this episode, we explore something that seems to contradict much of what we’ve discussed in past episodes: Why do inherently social, deeply bonded elephants sometimes choose solitude, even when given the opportunity to build relationships at a sanctuary?

How can an elephant who has never — or only briefly — experienced life within a true herd suddenly be expected to behave the way we think they should? How much do trauma, captivity, and personal choice shape social tolerance and connection?

And does physical separation really mean these elephants are disconnected, or are they still bonded in ways we humans cannot fully see, sense, or understand?

PS: 📅 Save the date and join us from June 12–20 for Trunks & Treasures, our virtual silent auction supporting the construction of a new on-site medical facility for the elephants and wildlife at the sanctuary: https://globalelephants.org/trunksandtreasures/

Email: We’d love to hear from you podcast@globalelephants.org

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 former zoo and circus elephants 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, Threads & 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, we explore one of the most profound qualities we see and admire in elephants: their ability to grieve.

Kat and Scott share stories from decades of working with captive elephants, revealing that grief is not just a moment, but a process. For some elephants in captivity, especially those encountering loss for the first time, this process may need to be learned or reawakened. Yet once it surfaces, it appears deeply instinctive and becomes part of who they are.

We also examine the growing conversation around elephant emotional intelligence and the gap that still exists between what we are beginning to understand and how elephants are treated in many captive environments.

While this is a more somber topic, it also offers something hopeful, a reminder that in witnessing elephants, we may find a way back to our own capacity for connection, compassion, and love.

📅 SAVE THE DATE: Our online auction Trunks & Treasures runs June 12–20, 2026. Join us to support the elephants’ medical care and bid on incredible items, including a trip for two to Elephant Sanctuary Brazil!

The episode transcript can be found here.

Email: We’d love to hear from you podcast@globalelephants.org

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 former zoo and circus elephants 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!

❤️ Become a Pathfinder and support our work starting at USD10 a month.

❤️Stay connected on Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads & 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.