Global Rumblings Podcast: Episode 47 – "Out of the Darkness & Into the Light (P&G Part V)"

Release Date: December 2, 2024

Introduction

In Episode 47 of the Global Rumblings Podcast, host Nadia Mari engages in an in-depth conversation with Kat and Scott Blais, co-founders of the Global Sanctuary for Elephants (GSE). Set against the backdrop of the lush Mata Grosso region in central Brazil, the episode delves into the sanctuary’s ongoing efforts to rehabilitate and care for formerly captive elephants. This episode, titled "Out of the Darkness & Into the Light (P&G Part V)," continues a series focused on the poignant journey of two elephants, Pocha and Gizamina, as they transition from confinement to freedom.

Technical Challenges and Holiday Support

The episode opens with Nadia addressing a technical issue caused by a power outage at the sanctuary, resulting in the hum of a generator in the background (00:19). Despite this, the conversation smoothly transitions to discussing the upcoming holiday season and ways listeners can support GSE. Kat highlights the variety of merchandise available in their online store, including holiday-themed items, T-shirts, hats, and the newly released 2024 calendar:

Kat (02:29): "We have some cute stuff, we have holiday stuff. We have some ornaments and that sort of thing. ... You can also adopt one of the girls. A bunch of ways you can support them, support the organization, get some cute stuff."

Scott adds that many supporters discover GSE through gifts or adoptions, fostering a personal connection to the sanctuary’s mission:

Scott (03:32): "Through the years, we've had a lot of people when we ask them how you. ... they're not going to know how to adapt, it's going to be so stressful."

Nadia shares her enthusiasm as an Eddy Guardian, appreciating the monthly updates and special insights into the elephants’ lives:

Nadia (04:00): "I'm actually an Eddy Guardian and I really look forward to the monthly emails that supporters get as an Eddy Guardian and special photos and unique insights to the favorite elephant."

Acclimation of Pocha and Gizamina

Shifting the focus to the sanctuary’s core mission, Nadia prompts Kat and Scott to recount the initial days of Pocha and Gizamina’s arrival:

Nadia (04:18): "Let's talk about Pocha and Gizamina and them probably having a fantastic, wonderful dust bath after they managed to unload. It took eight hours."

Kat reminisces about the exhaustion following the five-day relocation process:

Kat (05:05): "And then as long as they took. I mean, because it was... everyone who is involved in the relocation was quite done at that point."

Scott recalls the emotional first morning, observing the elephants contemplating their newfound freedom as they watched sunrises and sunsets from their crates:

Scott (05:19): "Seeing the sunrise and seeing that horizon from inside the crate, but seeing that for the first time... wondering what that would be like."

Behavioral Observations and Social Integration

A significant portion of the episode explores the behavioral changes and social interactions of Pocha and Gizamina as they adapt to sanctuary life. Scott emphasizes their vocal nature as a means of communication and emotional expression:

Scott (06:09): "They were always very vocal. Whether it be through anxiety or just reassuring one another or just a moment of, hey, this is really cool, and celebrating life."

Kat discusses the dynamics between the elephants and the sanctuary’s resident dogs, highlighting respectful boundaries:

Kat (06:26): "Our dogs are great... They keep their space. They. The elephant space is theirs. Dog space is theirs."

Scott notes the high energy levels of the elephants and the initial anxiety experienced during the adjustment period:

Scott (07:01): "They also had a pretty big energy, too... anxiety for those first few days and a little bit of discomfort."

Nadia brings up a past episode discussing Lady, the first elephant to interact with Pocha and Gizamina, illustrating the initial hesitance and gradual acceptance:

Nadia (07:46): "Lady had come in down yard one and clearly knew that somebody was doing something and somebody was somewhere that was different."

Challenges of Captivity and Behavioral Anomalies

A poignant segment of the discussion centers on Gizamina’s aggressive behavior towards her mother, a manifestation of captivity-induced stress. Kat recounts instances of Gizamina physically confronting her mother, behaviors unheard of in the wild:

Kat (19:05): "Gigi would kick her mom in the face. ... it's just the limits of captivity."

Scott reflects on the unnatural behaviors observed in captivity, referencing insights from Dr. Joyce Poole of Elephant Voices:

Scott (25:01): "You know, just... in captivity deprives us of everything of what they're supposed to be, including those very critically important life lessons of what it means to be a social group."

Kat underscores that such aggression is a byproduct of confined environments, contrasting it with the cooperative and gentle social structures of wild elephants:

Kat (23:10): "It's just the unnatural spaces that this confinement... would just bring out these totally abnormal behaviors, this aggressive behavior."

Dr. Joyce Poole’s expertise is cited to emphasize that behaviors like Gizamina’s are exclusive to captive settings, not observed in wild populations:

Kat (24:08): "These are things that are only manifest through the limits of captivity. ... Dr. Joyce Poole, who's never seen it and it would never happen."

Path to Recovery and Social Harmony

Despite initial challenges, Pocha and Gizamina exhibit remarkable adaptability. Kat describes their progress as they acclimate to the sanctuary’s environment, gradually shedding aggressive tendencies and embracing social harmony:

Kat (20:21): "It started to shift so quickly, you know, with having more space, with being outside, with being around the other elephants and seeing that, hey, nobody else out here is kicking anybody or hitting anybody."

Scott draws parallels between the elephants' acclimation and a child's first day of school, highlighting inevitable stress as a natural part of growth and adaptation:

Scott (16:17): "It's the same thing that we all go through at multiple points in our life."

Kat further elaborates on the supportive social structures in the wild, contrasting them with the isolation experienced in captivity:

Kat (23:51): "In the wild... you have a bunch of allomothers... they are put in their place so quickly when there is any sort of questionable behavior."

Sanctuary Practices and Elephant Welfare

The conversation also touches upon the sanctuary’s daily practices aimed at facilitating the elephants’ rehabilitation. Kat explains their nighttime routines, which involve checking on the elephants, providing medical care, and acclimating them to sanctuary life:

Kat (10:09): "We started working with Pocha and Gigi just doing little things, you know, trying to... trying to get them to do foot presents, getting them used to the restraint shoots before they had gone out and stuff."

Scott and Kat discuss the elephants’ explorations of the sanctuary grounds, highlighting their curiosity and the physical changes they bring to the environment:

Scott (12:00): "They just walked right through. So they were clearly exploring on their own and checking things out and doing their thing."

Kat shares amusing anecdotes about the elephants’ antics, such as muddy creek adventures and navigating steep embankments, illustrating their playful yet determined nature:

Kat (16:55): "They were so curious... They were playing in there and happy... going in the other direction. They were like, we don't need you. See you later."

Reflections on Elephant Social Structures and Human Impact

Towards the end of the episode, the discussion deepens into the complexities of elephant social structures and the detrimental effects of human-imposed captivity. Kat emphasizes the critical role of social bonds and communal guidance in wild elephant societies, which are often disrupted in captivity:

Kat (24:08): "And you bet that they are put in their place so quickly when there is any sort of questionable behavior... gentle guidance."

Scott summarizes the overarching theme of the episode by highlighting the loss of essential social interactions in captivity, which are vital for the elephants' psychological and emotional well-being:

Scott (25:01): "In captivity deprives us of everything of what they're supposed to be, including those very critically important life lessons of what it means to be a social group."

Conclusion and Closing Remarks

As the episode draws to a close, Kat and Scott maintain a lighthearted tone despite ongoing technical challenges caused by the power outage. They exchange well-wishes and reaffirm their commitment to the sanctuary’s mission:

Kat (25:31): "Take a hot, hot shower."

Nadia wraps up the episode by reminding listeners to follow GSE on social media for updates and expressing gratitude for their support:

Nadia (26:10): "Thank you so much. And until we meet up in two weeks time, take care."

Key Takeaways

• Captivity vs. Wild Behavior: The episode underscores the stark contrast between elephant behaviors in captivity and the wild, emphasizing that many aggressive and abnormal behaviors are byproducts of confined environments.

• Social Integration: Successful rehabilitation hinges on fostering natural social structures and providing ample space for elephants to explore and interact harmoniously.

• Support and Awareness: Listener support through donations, merchandise purchases, and adoptions significantly contributes to the sanctuary’s efforts in elephant welfare and rehabilitation.

• Resilience and Adaptation: Pocha and Gizamina’s journey exemplifies the resilience of elephants when provided with a supportive and enriching environment, gradually overcoming past trauma and adjusting to newfound freedom.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Kat (02:29): "We have some cute stuff, we have holiday stuff... You can also adopt one of the girls."

• Scott (03:32): "Through the years, we've had a lot of people when we ask them how you... help more people become attached to the work that we do."

• Kat (19:05): "Gigi would kick her mom in the face... these are things that are only manifest through the limits of captivity."

• Scott (25:01): "In captivity deprives us of everything of what they're supposed to be, including those very critically important life lessons of what it means to be a social group."

Final Thoughts

Episode 47 of the Global Rumblings Podcast offers a compelling glimpse into the transformative work of the Global Sanctuary for Elephants. Through heartfelt discussions and firsthand accounts, Nadia, Kat, and Scott highlight the profound challenges and triumphs involved in rehabilitating captive elephants. The episode serves as both an educational resource and a call to action, urging listeners to support the sanctuary’s mission and advocate for better welfare practices for elephants worldwide.

For more insights and updates, listeners are encouraged to follow Global Sanctuary for Elephants on their social media channels, as mentioned by Nadia during the episode.

This summary captures the essence of Episode 47, ensuring that both regular listeners and newcomers can appreciate the depth and significance of the discussions surrounding elephant welfare and sanctuary life.