Welcome home, Ramba!  (Ramba Part IX) - ❤️ Share the love in our Valentine’s Day fundraiser here. In this week’s podcast, we are on the road with Ramba, on the final part of her journey to sanctuary. Scott recalls that the convoy, escorted by the state police, was going well until the truck suddenly broke down on a hill. This unforeseen incident put a tremendous strain on Ramba. The unaccustomed heat, in comparison to a much cooler Chile, in addition to the tar roads and the lack of wind on the now-stationary convoy, made Scott as worried as he has ever been for the well-being of an eleph ..read more

We left you with two cliffhangers last time, so let's dive in today by learning more about the two new infant anteaters, a part of GSE’s wildlife rehab program. Despite being two different species (a giant anteater and a collared anteater), these youngsters stick together, exploring their enclosure. Stan, the burrowing owl, has a new friend, and the highly endangered crowned solitary (Chaco) eagle we discussed in December arrived safely several weeks ago and is building up strength as it flies around the extensive flight cage, the construction of which caused Scott many sleepless nights. We th ..read more

In our first episode of the year, we delve into the latest happenings at the sanctuary, including a recent fire that originated from a neighboring property. While not on the scale of California wildfires, it was a significant incident that rallied the local community together in a collective effort to extinguish the flames.  In our elephant update, our focus extends beyond the individual progress of each individual as we explore the captivating dynamics within the entire herd. Witnessing their collective development and how they overcome the traumas of their past is truly fascinating. Mov ..read more

Today is our final podcast for this year. We start off by talking about the sanitation and health requirements needed for Ramba before being able to move her to Brazil.  When all of the details were ironed out, Ramba’s quarantine period could begin. With growing autonomy, Kat recalls how, true to her cheeky grandma style, Ramba let her care team know when she would permit blood draws (from her ear) or not. So not to leave you on a cliffhanger, as there is a lot to talk about Ramba’s relocation via plane from Chile to Brazil, we switch to the wildlife rehab animals currently under the care ..read more

In this week’s podcast, Kat and Scott talk about the challenges of managing the care of Ramba with her remote team in Chile. We cover the years of Ramba’s stay at Parque Safari in Chile, including the nonstop noise from the park’s Dinosaur ride next to Ramba’s enclosure. Additionally, we delve into the charming anecdotes of cute grandma Ramba, who knows exactly how to charm her doting care team.  At the same time, Global Sanctuary for Elephants, then still a very young non-profit organization, is in need of funds not only for Ramba’s care but also to build fencing to be able to welcome th ..read more

We discuss the most frustrating aspect of Ramba’s rescue- Why did it take so long? We dive into details about permits, including those required internationally by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) but also within Brazil (IBAMA). There is no classification for sanctuaries in Brazil, and no recent elephant imports, which means standards and protocols need to be created. Blood tests on Ramba show she is suffering from the early stages of kidney failure, which require a strict diet and the use of different modalities to support her body. Ramba ..read more

 ? Join our Pachyderm Pumpkin Party fundraiser here. This week, we talk about Ramba’s first days at her temporary home after the circus. Scott recalls how Ramba settled into her new home very quickly, enjoying the space, the trees, and the mud. Caregivers assigned to Ramba needed training since they had never worked with an elephant or with protected contact training, which was necessary for the sanitary requirements to import to the U.S.  We also talk about Parque Safari, a small roadside zoo that provided the space for Ramba. The safety standards in place for the park’s animals wer ..read more

Ramba (Part 2) - Today we dive straight into resolving the cliffhanger we left you with last time. Scott admits that talking about Ramba’s rescue from the circus in our last episode really brought up old memories about how difficult the entire operation really was. Under the circumstances, Ramba was fairly relaxed. The rescue team and the circus people were each waiting in their corners for the judge’s ruling to arrive. And when it does, it is a challenge: the colonel of the military police is being sent to oversee the rescue, and the team only has until the end of the day to get Ramba to load ..read more

Ramba (Part 1) - Known as the “Last circus elephant in Chile”, Ramba was confiscated from a circus due to neglect and abuse. Yet, with nowhere to go, she remains in the custody of the circus. Scott & Kat recall how her rescue really must be credited to the small animal welfare organization, Ecopolis, who had been campaigning for Ramba’s release for years before Scott & Kat arrived on the scene to assist with her actual relocation. Ramba’s move from the circus to her temporary home at Parque Safari was indeed the most difficult and challenging so far. Scott describes how the judge’s rul ..read more

Episode 18 Rana (Part 3) - In our third and final episode on Rana, Scott & Kat share how they truly noticed the lessons Rana had learned about friendship when the sanctuary’s fourth elephant, Ramba, arrived.  Eager not to make the same mistakes as with Guida & Maia, we talk about how Rana kept her exuberance to herself, not wanting to touch Ramba and possibly annoy or scare her. Yet Ramba was looking for guidance to know how to behave from the elephants already at the sanctuary. It was Maia who broke the ice by touching Ramba first; with this clear sign, Rana opened up to embrace ..read more