Podcast Summary: Global Rumblings Podcast

Episode 64: Healing, Hope & 200 Acres of Possibility
Date: December 9, 2025
Host: Nadia Mari (Elephants in Japan)
Guests: Kat and Scott Blais (Co-founders, Global Sanctuary for Elephants)

Episode Overview

This heartfelt episode updates listeners on life at Elephant Sanctuary Brazil after a period of loss and change, and dives deep into the ongoing expansion of the sanctuary’s habitats—the literal and figurative spaces for elephant healing and hope. With candid personal and professional reflections, Kat and Scott share insights into the emotional journeys of both elephants and their caregivers, the challenges and rewards of sanctuary life, and the ambitious end-of-year campaign to expand the sanctuary by 200 acres.

Key Topics and Insights

1. Personal Reflections: Loss, Grief, and Healing (02:56–09:42)

• Kat and Scott’s Recent Trip: The duo balanced work and family time in the US, including attendance at the Friday Harbor Film Festival, where "The Rumba Effect" (about elephant Ramba) won another award (03:09–04:06).

  • Scott: “A lot of inspiring stories and just an honor to be part of that.” (04:53)

• Coping with Loss: The episode touches on heavy personal loss—Scott’s father passed away just as they arrived in the US, highlighting how intertwined personal and sanctuary life become (03:09).

  • Scott: “It’s exactly how it should have and needed to be, so we could be there for my mom, be there, say goodbye to him, and process that…” (03:16)

2. The Aftermath of Pupi’s Passing & Kenya’s Journey (07:27–13:03)

• Kenya’s Grief Process: Kenya, an African elephant, has been adjusting to the loss of her companion, Pupi. The team observes her emotional processing and gradual re-engagement with her environment and caregivers.

  • Kat: “She is so emotional, and it’s the most beautiful thing about her… her sensitivity and depth of emotion is definitely so stunning.” (08:24)
  • Scott: “She found something that she only got to keep for a little while. …But I think seeing her now … she is doing very, very well. I think she’s much more open.” (09:03–09:27)
  • Elephants’ ability to grieve and grow from hardship is underscored, drawing parallels to Maya’s prolonged grief for her companion Geeta (09:52).

• Hope for Companionship: Nadia asks if another female African elephant could join Kenya in the future.

  • Kat: “There’s a couple… There’s one that’s by herself now… and there’s another one in a different country… We are in discussions with both places.” (11:17, 11:52)
  • Kat: “There’s always hope.” (12:33)
  • Kenya’s playful and quirky behaviors continue, reflecting her resilience: “She’s rumbling and squawking and squeaking and tap dancing.” (12:55)

3. Habitat Expansion: Expanding Possibilities for Elephants (13:03–21:58)

• Current Projects: Kenya’s new habitat yard is nearly complete, requiring only a little more fencing and two gates (13:03–13:26).
• Asian Elephant Habitat Expansion: Central to the episode is the drive to raise $150,000 for 200 new acres for female Asian elephants.
  • Scott: “That 200 is very diverse. …It’s lots of beautiful nooks and crannies and valleys and springs and trees and hills… It's spectacular.” (18:21–18:39)
  • Kat: “Unlike when we do the smaller yards… this is going to be just one big yard…” (19:24)
  • The expansion will double sanctuary size to half the area of Central Park in NYC, or about 300 American football fields. (20:39–21:22)
  • Nadia puts it in perspective: “So 200 acres is about 113 European soccer fields… half the size of Central Park in New York.” (20:39–21:22)
  • Scott: “What makes it even, as I already said, that diversity, actually amplifies it so much more. … It’s not 200 square, you know, a flat acres. It is, it’s stunning.” (21:42)

4. The Power of Space: Physical and Psychological Benefits (22:18–26:25)

• Mental and Physical Healing: Expanding space isn’t just about more room, but about enriching experiences and natural healing.

  • Kat: “Space is one of those things that we talk about… it’s the mental aspect that really offers elephants that much more. … There’s always an increase in healing that you see whenever you increase the space.” (22:18)
  • Past experience shows elephants considered the “most damaged” thrive with increased autonomy: “We build and we operate for the worst of the worst. …It was those elephants that, once they had that significant amount of space, that we saw an independence and more self-confidence.” (23:54–24:14)

• Capacity and Social Considerations: As the sanctuary grows, it can responsibly house more elephants. The expansion will allow for the possibility of up to 25 female Asian elephants—though actual numbers will depend on personalities and social needs (26:00–27:00).

  • Scott: “The space that we have right now is licensed for up to 10 elephants. …With this expansion, we should have licensing for up to 25 female Asian elephants.” (26:00)

5. End-of-Year Fundraiser: Pathways to Support (27:16–28:54)

• Fundraising Goals: The sanctuary’s end-of-year campaign aims to reach $150,000, with a $75,000 matching fund.

  • Kat: “The fundraiser will be open on our website until the end of the year. If anybody would like to give our Asian elephants some more space and donate to that, that’d be great.” (27:57)
  • Listeners are encouraged to “give the girls some land,” or purchase gift merchandise, such as adoptions and wish baskets.

• Memorable Moment:

  • Scott: “Who else can say that you bought somebody freedom or somebody gave you elephant freedom for the holidays, you know? What gift did you get? Freedom for elephants.” (28:46)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You feel that struggle through Rumba and did a great job. It hits people, it hits people pretty deep. And it’s exciting to see because it’s pretty powerful.”
  — Scott (05:39)

• “One of the beautiful things about elephants is they seem to really process [loss] and work through it and take lessons from it and use those moving forward.”
  — Kat (09:52)

• “Space… isn’t just about the physical… it’s the mental aspect… There’s always an increase in healing that you see whenever you increase the space.”
  — Kat (22:18)

• “Who else can say that you bought somebody freedom or somebody gave you elephant freedom for the holidays…? What gift did you get? Freedom for elephants.”
  — Scott (28:46)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [02:56] – Reflections on balancing personal loss with sanctuary life; Poignant mention of Scott’s father’s passing
• [03:09–06:57] – The global reach of “The Rumba Effect” film and sanctuary stories
• [07:27–13:03] – Kenya’s adjustment after Pupi’s passing; Community Q&A on future companions for Kenya
• [13:03–13:47] – Ongoing updates on Kenya’s habitat and foot care
• [14:46–17:14] – Importance and advancement of captive elephant foot care; Seasonal advantages
• [17:58–21:58] – Announcement and scope of the Asian elephant habitat expansion project
• [22:18–24:36] – The transformative power of increased sanctuary space
• [26:00–27:00] – Sanctuary licensing, space, and the potential for more rescues
• [27:16–28:54] – Year-end fundraiser details and holiday gifting ideas

Takeaways

• The sanctuary’s work is equal parts science, spirit, and compassion—where healing happens for elephants and humans alike.
• Every expansion in space brings transformative change for elephants, especially those who have suffered most.
• The journey of individual elephants like Kenya highlights both the challenges and hope in sanctuary life.
• Community support is essential, with every contribution—financial or otherwise—tangibly impacting the lives and futures of rescued elephants.

For More Information, Show Notes, and Donations:
Visit globalelephants.org and follow GSE on Facebook and Instagram.

Next Episode: Stay tuned for more intimate conversations from the heart of the jungle, where healing and hope are measured in acres, not just days.