"In Nigeria, they have never rescued an elephant like this before; this is the first of its kind." Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/rescuers-respond-baby-elephant-found-153000684.html

Sometimes, Bambi stands between her friends, Maia and Guille. We call that a Bambi Sandwich! 😄

Maia has a calm, playful way about her—happy to lead when needed, but just as content staying close to Bambi as a gentle guide. Here, the two pause to enjoy a surprise stash of hay while Guille explores on her own. Read more: https://globalelephants.org/elefact-friday-to-graze-and-to-snack/

During the rainy season, the grass grows really, really tall! Look how high it is next to Maia. 😄 She's almost swimming in it!

Maia and Bambi are great, supportive friends for Bambi. 🐘💚🐘💚🐘 When they stand on either side of her, we call them a "Bambi sandwich".

A recent study suggests that elephants might sometimes raid farms for medicinal plants. They may seek out parts of bananas and papayas when they’re suffering from gut parasites, sparking a cross-species exchange of pharmaceutical knowledge. www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...

Maia came over quick with her eyes on the prize... dinner! 😄

After a storm dropped more branches in Yard 4, caregivers cut them into snack-sized pieces for Mara and Rana. Both wanted the same branch at first—until Mara claimed it and Rana happily found her own. 🌿🐘 Read more: https://globalelephants.org/its-ranas-turn-for-a-tree/

This morning, our petition "Protect Captive Elephants and Demand Fair Oversight!" was at 16,832 signatures! Add your name here: www.change.org/p/protect-ca...

Each month, our EleGuardians vote on their favorite photos. These are the photos of the month for January! If you'd like to sponsor an elephant and become an EleGuardian, you can learn more here: https://globalelephants.org/adopt-an-elephant/

Elephant ears have large veins and thin skin. This allows the flowing blood to easily release excess heat to the air, which helps the elephants stay cool. (Photo of Guille)

New research by World Animal Protection, released yesterday, show a 73% increase in the # of elephants in captivity in Thailand since 2010. Riding is declining, but elephant washing and care experiences have increased with the rise of fake sanctuaries. https://ow.ly/XnxT50XVUPa

Ear flapping can be a sign of happiness and can mean the elephants are feeling content, but it's also how elephants cool down when they feel too hot. Rana is known for squeaking and flapping her ears quickly when she's being a bit silly during treatments.

Some days, there’s nothing quite so relaxing as a gentle sanctuary rain. Add to that the sound of elephant ears flapping and, of course, Bambi’s low rumbles, and you’re almost ready for a nap. Here, we’ve caught Bambi, Maia, and Guillermina in a little bit of a drowsy moment.

Craig's death continues to create ripples around the world and reminds us of the importance of conservation. www.alaskasnewssource.com/2026/01/10/d...

At Elephant Sanctuary Brazil, we’ve worked with multiple tortoises as part of our rehabilitation and release program. This Sunday, we’re smiling about a visit from one of them, the charming Michelangelo. We tend to see our “graduate” tortoises a couple of times a year–or maybe not at all.

A single young bull elephant is reportedly to blame for 20 deaths in the last 10 days. Authorities have launched ‘Operation Gajraj’ using over 100 people and drones to find, tranquilize, and relocate him. avenuemail.in/elephant-ter...

In 2026, embrace elephants. 💚 Our followers leave us a lot of comments about the comfort and joy they receive from our content. Many of you look for our regular updates. We’ve heard such heartwarming stories from people around the world (who we lovingly call our sanctuary family)

Elephants understand far more than we once thought. 🐘 Studies show they can recognize familiar vs. threatening human voices, imitate sounds, and respond to tone, context, and cues from caregivers. Their communication goes well beyond words. Read more: https://ow.ly/3V1150XUg1g

Our petition asking for fair oversight for elephants in all facilities has 11,885 total signatures! You can still add your name here: https://www.change.org/p/protect-captive-elephants-and-demand-fair-oversight

Our sanctuary family is creating a kinder world for elephants, one day at a time. 💚

Our petition is growing! So far, we have 3,399 signatures in English, 5,227 signatures in Portuguese, and 925 signatures in Spanish. Help us improve the lives of captive elephants and add your name here: c.org/mDc6FKsDCX

Help us make an impact as we demand fair oversight and accountability for facilities with elephants. 🐘 Read our petition, sign, and share! www.change.org/p/protect-ca...

We have an important post for you to read today that addresses misinformation against the sanctuary and introduces our petition to demand fair oversight for non-sanctuary facilities who have elephants. Please read: globalelephants.org/transparency...

Breakfast near the barn meant it was a good time for Maia and Guille’s foot care. While caregivers set up, Maia splashed water from the trough and Guille stopped by to investigate—sharing a calm, slightly silly moment before the day continued. Read more: globalelephants.org/silly-fun-at...

Stella says, "Is it time to play?" 😄

Bambi was enjoying the soft dirt from one of the piles in the habitat. It's great for napping on and dusting with.

After treatments in Yard 4, caregivers offered Mara and Rana storm-fallen branches as a snack. Mara was especially interested, choosing a manageable piece—Asian elephants tend to prefer smaller browse than their African counterparts. Nothing goes to waste when nature lends a hand.

"Elephant Craig, who died on Saturday, January 3, 2026, famed for his massive tusks, could end up in a museum or be returned to the wild ecosystem . . . Conservation officials are exploring moving his remains to the National Museums of Kenya in Nairobi." https://ow.ly/ukBN50XS37T

Habitat loss and human-elephant conflict, growing sources of stress for wild elephants, could be to blame for a growing number of calves being abandoned or separated from their herds. https://ow.ly/cbIi50XRiT0

Guillermina has always been a big fan of meal times. At this point, her friends are used to her checking around the ground for leftovers after breakfast–and maybe sometimes sneaking a bite or two from someone else’s food pile. On this week’s Sunday Smile,

Our latest podcast episode was released this week, and this was our final episode of 2025. In this snippet, Kat and Scott talk about our successful GivingTuesday and the importance that every gift has in helping us reach our goals.

Craig, one of the few remaining super tuskers, has passed away early this morning at age 54. He was deeply loved, incredibly important to the wild elephant population, and an icon for conservation. He was known for his calm and confident personality. www.dw.com/en/kenya-mou...

EleFact Friday 🐘🌿 While the habitat provides most of what the elephants need, we offer supplemental hay, grains, and produce. These extras help with weight, medications, and allow caregivers to closely monitor health—plus, small treats bring real joy. https://ow.ly/F3Yo50XR8ot

Kat and Scott spoke on the Living One podcast about sanctuary principles, trauma-informed responses, and the benefits of space. We invite you to watch and listen today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaL9ThmezrM

As morning broke over the sanctuary sky and we saw the sun start to peek over the hills, the birds began to awaken into their twittery chatter–everything from macaws and songbirds, to aracari and ani are almost always around and can be found throughout the habitats.

Space changes everything. When Guida arrived at sanctuary, having room to walk away, explore, and choose reshaped her confidence, her relationships, and her healing. Access to space gave her safety—and the freedom to grow. Read more: globalelephants.org/guida-and-em...

If you're looking for an interesting mid-week read, check out this article. "Ten Exceptional Ancient Elephants, From Small Swimming Creatures to Shovel-Tusked Beasts" www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...

Rana has unusually dark eyes. Scott and Kat say they may be the darkest eyes they've ever seen on an elephant!

VOLUME UP 🐘 Maia and Bambi have been in a playful, celebratory mood lately. Bambi navigates the habitat with confidence, speed, and joy—proof that limitations don’t stop elephants from expressing themselves. Read more: https://globalelephants.org/another-little-party-with-maia-and-bambi/

The Murcia tracksites confirm that straight-tusked elephants, Palaeoloxodon antiquus, crossed Spain’s southeastern coastal corridor about 125,000 years ago, leaving behind footprints that are now locked in ancient sand dunes. www.earth.com/news/prehist...

Stella's buried elephant toenail clippings have not yet grown into any kind of tree. 🤭

Space changes everything. At sanctuary, Rana went from isolated and shut down to engaged, vocal, and thriving—learning to listen, connect, and truly be an elephant again. Read more: https://globalelephants.org/rana-and-how-space-brings-emotional-healing/

Just because Maia is almost always near Bambi, that doesn’t mean that Bambi and Guillermina don’t get some special moments together, just the two of them. This Sunday Smile brings us a clip of Bambi and Guille after they discovered a few palms that caregivers left for them in the habitat.

Beautiful miss Bambi came to dinner and was illuminated by the evening sun. 🥰

In this video, Rana waits at the fence with Scott while Mara emerges from the trees. Mara typically stays near her dear friend, Rana, and the pair spend their days leisurely eating, walking, and swimming together. A few of our new supporters have asked how these lovely ladies became

Bani, 2-years old, celebrates Christmas at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Hospital in India after receiving treatment for a serious train injury. Look at that hair! https://dailypioneer.com/news/how-a-christmas-celebration-marks-an-elephant-calf-s-fight-back-from-a-train-tragedy

Guille often has wide, wild eyes. She's the only elephant at the sanctuary who consistently shows the whites of her eyes from holding them open so big. Is she excited? Is it youth? Or is it just Guillermina's way? We'll know more when she's older. ☺️

Elephants can distinguish between human languages and even voices. Studies show they react more defensively to groups that have historically posed a threat—an incredible display of intelligence. Read more in today's EleFact! https://globalelephants.org/elefact-friday-recognizing-threats/

Protests have erupted in Kenya following a week of fatal human-elephant encounters. Four people and one elephant have died. Experts are attributing the increased tension to lack of resources during a period of less rainfall. https://ow.ly/FjOZ50XOkqs