Global Rumblings Podcast - Episode 42: Preparing for a New Life (Pocha and Guijamina Part II)
Release Date: September 10, 2024
Hosts: Kat and Scott Blais, Nadia Mari

Introduction

In Episode 42 of the Global Rumblings Podcast, Nadia Mari engages in an in-depth conversation with Kat and Scott Blais, co-founders of the Global Sanctuary for Elephants (GSE). This episode focuses on the rescue and relocation of Pocha and Guijamina, a mother-daughter pair of Asian elephants, from Mendoza, Argentina, to the GSE sanctuary in Brazil. The discussion delves into the complexities of elephant training, the challenges faced during their rescue, and the systemic issues within captive elephant management.

The Rescue of Pocha and Guijamina

The episode opens with Nadia introducing listeners to the serene yet precarious environment of the Elephant Sanctuary Brazil in the Mato Grosso region. Kat and Scott provide context about Pocha and Guijamina’s rescue, highlighting their traumatic past in Mendoza.

Kat explains the initial challenges faced in training these elephants:

“Each different with specifically to that question about how to train elephant... It starts off of just trying to help them understand what language you're trying to speak” (02:44).

Scott expands on the training methodology, drawing parallels with dog clicker training:

“It is very similar to dog training, dog clicker training. It is rewards based. It is trying to get them to understand that the clicker is the exact pinpoint moment that they've done something positive or what you're asking for...” (03:12).

Challenges in Training Elephants in Captivity

Training elephants, especially those with traumatic backgrounds, presents unique challenges. Kat emphasizes the importance of understanding each elephant's perception and communication methods:

“Pocha Gizamina Dijemina is very detailed. We weren't involved directly with that training, but when she came here, she's incredibly nuanced with her level of attention...” (07:XX).

Scott highlights the logistical issues faced due to limited space and resources:

“The outside space wasn't big enough to be able to separate them because of how small the area was...” (05:33).

These constraints made it difficult to implement effective training techniques, as traditional methods required more space and better facilities.

Problems with Mendoza Zoo

A significant portion of the episode critiques the Mendoza Zoo's handling of captive elephants. Kat and Scott discuss how the zoo’s enclosure designs, intended to be progressive, fell short:

“The idea behind their enclosure was to give them a space where they didn't have to be behind bars... instead, they have a giant wall and they can't really see anything.” (09:51).

Kat elaborates on the unintended consequences of these designs, particularly concerning breeding programs:

“Look, you have a baby. Look how brilliant it is. Look how happy mom is. Look, we were able to reproduce in captivity. Isn’t this amazing? [...] without even the consideration of the impact on that life.” (10:24).

Scott adds context about the lack of sustainable planning in breeding:

“Make money, especially there because they had a lot of males, they had almost exclusively male offspring and then they had to start closing them into different yards because of socialization issues...” (12:44).

Delays and Obstacles in Rescue

The rescue operation faced multiple delays, exacerbated by external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and internal inefficiencies. Nadia questions the prolonged timeline:

“From March 21, that's 14 months. What happened?...” (14:00).

Kat puts this duration into perspective, emphasizing the complexity of international rescues:

“When we have rescues that have been working around the world, [...] a lot of these processes are years in the making.” (14:35).

Scott notes that inadequate training during the delay led to regression in the elephants' progress:

“In most cases, they had regressed from what their progress was because with elephants, oftentimes, if you're not going to train properly, it just makes everything worse.” (15:37).

Disinformation and Slander Attempts

During the prolonged rescue process, the sanctuary faced misinformation and slander. Kat recounts instances where false claims about the elephants' well-being were circulated:

“There were claims all over the Internet that Mara had died... we actually had to have the local authorities... count our elephants to make sure we had all elephants accounted for.” (18:38).

Scott discusses the impact of these false narratives on their efforts:

“It helps that the person who is essentially responsible for not approving these permits... contacted us and was like, make it stop.” (21:25).

Kat highlights the resilience of the Mendoza Zoo's new leadership, who resisted political pressures and prioritized the elephants' welfare:

“They never lost sight of the big picture. They never fell prey to the political pressures that were put on them to try to cancel this relocation.” (22:12).

Conclusion and Reflection

The episode concludes with reflections on the systemic issues that hindered the rescue of Pocha and Guijamina. Kat poignantly questions the impact of delayed rescue:

“What would have happened for Pocha if we could have gotten her out earlier?...” (23:07).

Scott underscores the importance of strategic communication and the delicate balance between transparency and operational security:

“We couldn’t push forward too fast because of the political element of it.” (24:35).

Nadia wraps up by expressing anticipation for the next episode, where listeners can expect to hear about the successful relocation and acclimatization of Pocha and Guijamina to their new sanctuary home.

Notable Quotes

• Scott Blais (03:12):
  “It is very similar to dog training, dog clicker training. It is rewards based. It is trying to get them to understand that the clicker is the exact pinpoint moment that they've done something positive or what you're asking for...”

• Kat Blais (10:24):
  “Look, you have a baby. Look how brilliant it is. Look how happy mom is. Look, we were able to reproduce in captivity. Isn’t this amazing? [...] without even the consideration of the impact on that life.”

• Scott Blais (12:44):
  “Make money, especially there because they had a lot of males, they had almost exclusively male offspring and then they had to start closing them into different yards because of socialization issues...”

• Kat Blais (23:07):
  “What would have happened for Pocha if we could have gotten her out earlier?...”

Final Thoughts

Episode 42 of Global Rumblings Podcast offers a comprehensive look into the complexities of rescuing and rehabilitating captive elephants. Through candid discussions, Kat and Scott Blais shed light on the multifaceted challenges that sanctuaries face, from training hurdles to battling misinformation. Their unwavering commitment underscores the importance of creating safe havens where elephants can heal and thrive away from the constraints of captivity.

For those interested in learning more about the Global Sanctuary for Elephants and supporting their mission, visit Global Sanctuary for Elephants.