Overview

OUR MISSION: GSE exists to create natural habitat sanctuaries that provide elephants with the support to heal from past emotional and physical traumas, a herd to feel the understanding and companionship only another elephant can provide and the space and freedom to rediscover what it truly means to be an elephant. OUR PILOT PROJECT: ELEPHANT SANCTUARY BRAZIL The origin of GSE began in 2012 when our founding board and notable experts came together, initially to work on a solution to the growing crisis for captive elephants in South America, but realization of how global the struggle actually was became quickly evident. For our pilot project, Elephant Sanctuary Brazil, we are taking advantage of our two very knowledgeable experts, Dr. Joyce Poole, internationally renowned for her studies of wild elephants in Africa, and Scott Blais, co-founder of The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, one of two organizations that have pioneered progressive elephant care. With Joyce’s extensive understanding of natural behavior and Scott’s thorough understanding of captive elephant care and recovery, ESB is primed to have a profound impact on the lives of captive elephants in Brazil and throughout Latin America. ESB is a project many years in the making, but didn’t take tangible form until 2016. The only sanctuary for elephants in Latin America is situated on 2800-acres of diverse property in the municipality of Chapada dos Guimarães, Brazil. ESB currently has four resident elephants, Maia, Rana, Ramba, and Lady; all former circus or zoo elephants who have been given a chance to learn to be elephants again. They barely resemble the elephants they once were. They have physically blossomed and emotionally recovered while learning what it means to be a supportive herd member. Soon the sanctuary will offer this same life to female African elephants as well.