Global Sanctuary for Elephants has been sharing the stories of some of their rescued elephants to raise awareness about them. The sanctuary shared the story of a 26-year-old elephant named Guille and her mother, Pocha, on TikTok on June 4th, and it’s giving everybody all the feels.
Guille, short for Guillermina, was born at the Mendoza Ecoparque in Argentina to her mother her father, Tamy. The two females’ enclosure was completely underground, which allowed them no access to the natural world. For 24 years, Guille had never been able to step on a grassy surface or even see the sun set on the horizon. After Global Sanctuary rescued them and moved them to their new home in Brazil, Guille’s transformation began.
@globalelephants We’re currently highlighting the female Asian elephants as a way for our followers to either meet them for the first time or remember exactly why they love each girl. This week, we’re featuring Guillermina, also known as Guille. Because she was born into captivity, Guille is the only elephant whose birthday we actually know. She’s 26 years old and full of spunk, having shown the older elephants that youth can bring a renewed energy to the party. Guillermina was born at the Mendoza Ecoparque (which was then a zoo) to her mother Pocha and her biological father, Tamy. The two females’ enclosure was completely underground, which allowed them no access to the natural world. For the entirety of her then 24-years, Guille had never been able to step on a grassy surface or even see the sun set on the horizon. Pocha did her best to raise Guillermina under the circumstances, offering her everything she possibly could. Often, that meant that she gave Guille what she wanted, whenever she wanted it. As a result, Guille became headstrong and would sometimes take her frustrations out on her mother, but that was understandable considering she had only her mother to vent to. When we began the process of bringing the two elephants to sanctuary, they were extremely hesitant to separate and go into their crates, even though they weren’t far apart. We eventually placed the two crates together from end to end, welding a little fencing between them, giving them the chance to actually walk all the way through together. Once they began exploring the crates, they then both became a little possessive of the crates, since that was really the only thing they’d ever had that was “theirs”. This was our introduction to Guille entering the world backward if she was unsure of it. After they became comfortable spending extended periods of time in their crates, the relocation team moved swiftly to get them on their way to Brazil. Mother and daughter rode the same way they got used to the crates, just inches away from each other, facing each other, and touching trunks gently when the caravan would stop for breaks. The elephants’ arrival at sanctuary brought with it some understandable uncertainty for them. Both Pocha and Guillermina were incredibly cautious about leaving their crates and walking into the barn, taking hours to open up to their new home and actually let go of their crates, which they’d really taken possession of, finally claiming something as their own. Once they were safely out of the crates and in the barn, they were again hesitant to leave and explore. Though the barn gates were kept open, the elephants chose to remain inside much of the time, taking baby steps into the outside world that was completely new to them. Pocha had been underground for decades and Guille for her whole life, so this new space was big and somewhat overwhelming to them. Through this process they were not rushed, but simply supported. It was easy to understand the significant change this new landscape caused and we wanted to give them the space to become comfortable before taking that next big step. Pocha would often lead the way, encouraging Guille to ease out of her comfort zone and explore the habitat. They tossed plenty of sand and dirt on their backs and discovered the mud wallow, then the pond and the trees, eventually meeting the other elephants slowly, easing into relationships with others. Guille was initially way too much for some of the girls, and her energy was overflowing. It took some time for the ladies to open up, but they gave the new little girl a chance, which she responded to by learning how to “read the room” more and tailor her behavior to match the situation. She also gave the other elephants an energy boost, bringing a youthful spirit to the sanctuary. She found that Maia and Bambi were sometimes strict aunties, but they were also potential playmates. (More in comments) #elephants #sanctuary #animalrescue #animallovers #heartwarming
♬ Bundle of Joy (From “Inside Out”) – Piano Version – Clavier & your movie soundtrack
We literally cried happy tears watching Guille get to rub on trees and eat live grass and play in the mud and pond! She looks so much happier and even has friends to hang out with. We’re sure she never imagined that life could be that way and wish her many more years of happiness!
Related: Pianist Plays in the Middle of a Thailand Jungle and Elephants Come To Listen
Viewer Reactions to Guille and Pocha’s Story
Our favorite part of the story that Global Sanctuary shared was found in the video’s caption, “Guille was initially way too much for some of the girls, and her energy was overflowing. It took some time for the ladies to open up, but they gave the new little girl a chance, which she responded to by learning how to “read the room” more and tailor her behavior to match the situation. She also gave the other elephants an energy boost, bringing a youthful spirit to the sanctuary.” She’s just like a kid again!
Viewers left more than 500 comments about Guille and her mom’s happy ending. @Heidi, and many others shared similar comments, “Thank you so much for saving these beautiful animals. It makes me so sad that her life was that awful until now.” @Mabradas agreed, “I wish we didn’t need to do this….they should have had that all their life….beautiful elephants!”
@wilby2468 shared, “These beautiful, magnificent elephants are treated disgustingly by humans. I’m so glad they are now in a happy safe place!” Others wanted to know if the male elephant was saved too, but there was no response to the question. We’re all hoping the sanctuary rescued all of the elephants but will have to wait and see!