Imagine a place where the echoes of trumpets and rumbles fill the air, where majestic creatures once confined to small enclosures now roam freely across lush, sprawling acres. This place is Elephant Sanctuary Brazil, a haven nestled within 2800 acres of verdant landscape in Mato Grosso, Brazil.
In 2013, Global Sanctuary for Elephants set out on a mission to create sanctuaries for newly freed elephants in South America, recognizing the urgent need for homes where these gentle giants could heal and thrive. Our pilot project, Elephant Sanctuary Brazil, has since become a testament to hope, compassion, and the transformative power of freedom.
Meet our residents: Maia, Rana, Mara, Bambi, and Guillermina. Each of these five female Asian elephants carries a unique story of resilience and renewal.
Maia, our trailblazer, arrived in 2016 after spending three decades performing in a circus. Once labeled a “bad” girl, Maia's spirit blossomed in the sanctuary's nurturing environment. She now shares a deep bond with her best friend, Bambi, and their playful antics fill the sanctuary with joy.
Bambi, a former circus performer for 40 years, brings boundless energy to the sanctuary. Though she is gradually losing her sight, Bambi's spirit remains undeterred. She finds comfort and companionship in Maia, and together they create symphonies of trumpets and rumbles that echo across the sanctuary.
Rana, our oldest resident, spent over 40 years in a circus before being sent to a hotel zoo. She serves as the sanctuary's unofficial welcoming committee, guiding new arrivals with her gentle wisdom. She loves to wander the sanctuary's distant yards with her dear friend, Mara.
Mara is a sight to behold with her golden eyes and round Mickey Mouse-style ears. After two decades as a circus attraction and 25 years in an eco-park, Mara found her forever home with us. Her journey to the sanctuary during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic even made headlines in the New York Times!
Guillermina, affectionately known as Guille, is our youngest and most spirited resident. Born in an eco-park concrete pit, Guille spent 23 years in confinement before finding freedom with us. With boundless energy and curiosity, she joyfully integrates into the herd, eager to be part of every moment.
These elephants' journeys from confinement to freedom were made possible by the unwavering support of our sanctuary family. At Elephant Sanctuary Brazil, they experience a life of autonomy, grazing and foraging in a natural environment, receiving essential medical care, and thriving in the company of a supportive herd. We prioritize their well-being, limiting human contact to ensure their lives remain as natural as possible.
But there is always work to be done when it comes to caring for elephants. Providing them with the vast space they need means we must expand. To welcome more elephants to the sanctuary, it’s essential that we offer them the greatest possible opportunity to heal — and for that, we need your support.
Join us in our mission to protect, rescue, and provide sanctuary for elephants worldwide. Your support makes a world of difference, helping more elephants find the freedom and happiness they deserve.
Donate today and be part of this extraordinary journey of transformation and hope.
