Across Latin America, a powerful shift is underway. Thanks to the determination of animal rights activists, public opinion is changing, and elephants who spent decades in captivity are finally being given a chance at life beyond confinement at the Global Sanctuary for Elephants (GSE) in Brazil. Set on 2,800 acres of protected land, GSE offers these elephants the chance to live their final days in peace, dignity and freedom.
The Global Sanctuary for Elephants was co-founded in 2016 by elephant experts Scott and Kat Blais. Scott is also a co-founder of The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, where he and Kat worked for years before a shared vision brought them to Brazil. That vision was to create vast, safe, natural spaces for captive elephants who cannot return to the wild but deserve far more than a life behind bars. GSE became the first and only elephant sanctuary of its kind in South America.
Since opening, GSE has supported eleven elephants from across Latin America, with five currently calling the sanctuary home. Like many elephants rescued from captivity, those brought to GSE suffer from long-term health issues caused by decades without proper medical care, inadequate diets, and the lack of space and companionship these complex animals need to thrive.
The team at GSE knows that some elephants may only experience sanctuary for a short time before passing away. Still, they never turn an elephant away. They believe that even months of freedom matter. Feeling grass beneath their feet, the sun on their faces, and the presence of other elephants after a lifetime of confinement is not insignificant. Those moments are meaningful.
Sadly, people with a vested interest in keeping elephants in captivity continue to work to undermine this progress. After the deaths of two elephants who arrived at GSE last year with severe pre-existing health issues, confusion among the public has been exploited by bad actors to push an anti-sanctuary agenda.
This ignores the reality that elephants rescued from captivity often arrive already ill and that even the best possible care cannot reverse decades of harm.
A number of elephants who were supposed to be transferred to GSE died before they could even make the journey, highlighting the urgent need to give captive elephants a chance at sanctuary while there is still time.
These unjust attacks have led Brazilian environmental authorities to temporarily suspend GSE’s ability to receive new elephants while a review process is underway. This comes despite regular inspections and a strong record of transparency. Necropsies performed on elephants who have passed away at GSE, which the sanctuary shares publicly, consistently show evidence of long-term damage caused by captivity.
GSE has welcomed oversight, but they are also calling attention to a troubling disparity. Elephants held in captive facilities throughout Brazil have died from poisoning, infection, pregnancy complications, and neglect, yet those facilities have not faced the same level of scrutiny. This unequal treatment protects captivity and punishes compassion.
We have been called upon by our friends at the Global Sanctuary for Elephants to help them in their fight for justice by sharing their petition, which urges Brazilian authorities to apply equal oversight to all elephant-holding facilities across the country. The Species Unite community has helped drive real change for animals before, and together we can help GSE build momentum at this critical time.
No elephant should be denied care and freedom simply because it comes late in life.
Take Action Now
Please help us support these heroes for elephants by signing and sharing their petition with everyone you can.
