Global Rumblings Podcast - Episode 48: We Have to Know Their Normal (P&G Part VI) Release Date: December 17, 2024

Introduction and Episode Overview

In Episode 48 of the Global Rumblings Podcast, hosted by Nadia Mari of Elephants in Japan and produced by the Global Sanctuary for Elephants (GSE), co-founders Kat and Scott Blais delve into the intricate dynamics of captive elephant behavior and health. This installment focuses on the complex relationship between Pocha and her daughter, Guillermina (Gigi), and explores Pocha's ongoing health challenges within the sanctuary environment.

Dominant Behavior Between Guillermina and Pocha

The episode opens with a continuation of the discussion surrounding the dominant behavior exhibited by Guillermina towards her mother, Pocha, highlighting the unnatural dynamics fostered by captivity.

Scott reflects on the dysfunctional behaviors observed in captive elephants:

“Captive elephant behavior is very dysfunctional. These elephants are not raised in a proper social structure... they don't have the guidance of what is a proper social etiquette.”
[03:20]

Kat adds context by sharing her memories from early sanctuary days:

“Years ago back in the day when I was 10 years old in the 40s.”
[03:25]

Scott references Joyce Poole's insights on aggressive behavior in captivity, emphasizing that such behaviors are rarely seen in wild elephant interactions:

“She talked about behavior and the aggressive behavior you see in captivity that isn't seen in the wild... from calves to mothers.”
[03:20]

Captive vs. Wild Elephant Behavior

Scott elaborates on the stark differences between captive and wild elephant social structures:

“In the wild, elephants learn social etiquette through long, extended child-rearing. In captivity, pulled out at 2 or 3 years old, they live in solitary or limited groups, lacking proper social guidance.”
[02:33]

Kat concurs, highlighting the sterile and unstimulating environments of captivity:

“They didn't even have the outside world to watch... it's a sterile environment.”
[05:25]

Sanctuary Environment and Behavioral Improvement

The conversation shifts to how the sanctuary environment facilitates behavioral improvements. Kat explains how introducing other elephants like Maya and Bambi has positively influenced Guillermina's behavior:

“Having Maya was great because she could roughhouse with her... Bambi wouldn't roughhouse the same way but was very auntie with her.”
[10:48]

Scott emphasizes the importance of stimulation and social interaction in mitigating aggressive behaviors:

“As Pocha gained more comfort and with more stimulation, her controlling behavior subsided.”
[10:24]

Pocha’s Health Concerns and Behavioral Outbursts

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Pocha's health. Kat recounts the subtle signs that something was amiss with Pocha, which were initially dismissed by her caregivers:

“Sometimes you pick up on things that other people didn't see... it wasn't received very well at all.”
[15:05]

Scott shares an anecdote about Pocha's unexpected aggression towards their veterinarian, Matthias:

“Pocha was throwing her food at me... she was basically taking her frustrations out on the world.”
[24:20]

Kat reflects on the lasting impact of Pocha's past traumas:

“Sanctuary is not perfect... they still have frustrations and things that they have to work through from that time.”
[26:14]

The Healing Process in Sanctuary

Scott and Kat discuss the ongoing healing process for Pocha, emphasizing the sanctuary's role in providing a space for emotional and physical recovery:

“Sanctuary... offers that space to go through that healing process... honoring that space for them.”
[27:06]

Kat adds:

“Sometimes laugh... sometimes cry yourself to sleep over it... it's part of what's so intriguing about what we do.”
[27:40]

Sanctuary Limitations and Continuous Efforts

Acknowledging the imperfections of sanctuary life, Kat and Scott discuss the limitations they face, such as physical constraints and the enduring effects of captivity:

“Sanctuary is not perfect... we have our limitations as well.”
[26:14]

Scott underscores the importance of understanding each elephant's unique needs:

“We spend so much time trying to understand the nuances of each individual... study your elephants, really analyze.”
[20:29]

Closing Remarks and Additional Notes

As the episode wraps up, Nadia Mari and the hosts share lighter moments, including celebrating Gigi's birthday and the antics of a juvenile blackbird at the sanctuary.

Kat humorously mentions the persistent bird:

“One of our juvenile blackbirds is begging and trying to get any bird that comes within... to feed it.”
[23:13]

Scott and Kat reflect on the enduring challenges and joys of sanctuary life, highlighting the emotional resilience required to care for traumatized elephants.

Nadia concludes with a reminder to support Global Sanctuary for Elephants and to stay connected through their social media channels.

Notable Quotes:

• Scott: “Captive elephant behavior is very dysfunctional. These elephants are not raised in a proper social structure...”
  [02:33]

• Kat: “They didn't even have the outside world to watch... it's a sterile environment.”
  [05:25]

• Scott: “We spend so much time trying to understand the nuances of each individual... study your elephants, really analyze.”
  [20:29]

• Kat: “Sanctuary is not perfect... they still have frustrations and things that they have to work through from that time.”
  [26:14]

Key Takeaways:

1. Impact of Captivity: Captive elephants often exhibit dysfunctional behaviors due to a lack of proper social structures and stimulation, contrasting sharply with their wild counterparts.

2. Sanctuary's Role: Sanctuaries like GSE provide a healing environment that, despite its limitations, offers elephants the space and social interaction necessary for emotional and physical recovery.

3. Individual Nuances: Understanding each elephant's unique behaviors and histories is crucial for effective care and intervention, emphasizing the need for constant observation and adaptation.

4. Ongoing Challenges: Even within sanctuaries, elephants grapple with the lingering effects of trauma and captivity, underscoring the complexity of true rehabilitation.

5. Community and Support: The episode highlights the importance of community support, both from caregivers and listeners, in the mission to ensure the welfare of captive elephants.

For more insights and updates from the Global Sanctuary for Elephants, follow them on their social media channels as mentioned in the show notes. Support their mission by purchasing gifts from their online store and becoming an Ellie Guardian.

This summary captures the essence of Episode 48, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't tuned in. Dive deeper into the world of elephant welfare and sanctuary life by listening to the full episode of Global Rumblings Podcast.