Global Rumblings Podcast

Hosted by Global Sanctuary for Elephants

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Global Rumblings is a tri-weekly podcast dedicated to all things elephant. Featuring Global Sanctuary for Elephants co-founders Kat and Scott Blais, we’ll have in-depth discussions on sanctuary life, the ethics of captivity, physiology, and behavior. Hosted by Nadia Mari of Elephants in Japan, the wide-ranging, intimate conversations are sometimes fun, often frank, and offer listeners insight into the power of healing. We will bring you conversations that make you question what you know and leave you with powerful takeaways about animal and elephant welfare from a holistic point of view.

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60 recent

October 20, 2026Episode 7733 min

Episode 77: Sandro's New Life

We’re back after a short, unplanned break, as Scott and the ESB team have been busy organizing and carrying out the transport for Sandro, the sanctuary’s first male Asian elephant. We kick off this episode with an update on how Sandro is settling into his new life of autonomy, respect, and choice at the sanctuary which means that, very often, he is nowhere near camera reception, but instead out exploring his habitat. Scott then takes us back to the events surrounding Sandro’s relocation from Sorocaba Zoo. We discussed the opposition to Sandro’s relocation in our last episode, but the incitement to violence by the city’s mayor, the protests, and the need for security guards and personal protection for the entire team made this an especially complex task. But Scott and the ESB team did what they do best: they showed what decades of elephant expertise mean when carrying out a relocation like this, remaining open to dialogue even when faced with hostility, and ultimately bringing Sandro safely home after two and a half days on the road. LINKS: ❤️ Give a little extra love & care by adopting Sandro ❤️ Shop for yourself, friends & the elephants ❤️ Stay connected on Facebook , Instagram , X , Threads & YouTube . The episode transcript can be found here . Email: We’d love to hear from you podcast@globalelephants.org Who we are: Global Sanctuary for Elephants exists to create vast, safe spaces for captive elephants, where they are able to heal physically and emotionally. There are elephants around the world in need of sanctuary, but too few places exist to be able to care for even a fraction of the elephants. International support is necessary to build sanctuaries for elephants in need of rescue and rehabilitation. Our pilot project is Elephant Sanctuary Brazil where former zoo and circus elephants from across South America live their best lives. Website : https://globalelephants.org/ Donate : Global Sanctuary for Elephants is a U.S. 501(c)3 non-profit. Our work is made possible by donations. You can support our work with a general donation, purchasing items from our wishlist , or adopting one (or all) of our elephants for a year. You can also donate with Crypto! Thank you for your support! While we encourage and appreciate you sharing our podcast, please note that… This presentation is protected by U.S. and International copyright laws. Reproduction and distribution of the presentation or its contents without written permission of the sponsor is prohibited. © 2023 Global Sanctuary for Elephants A big Thank You to the talented musicians Mike McGill, Ron McGill, & Sean Rodriquez for composing our podcast jingle.

September 8, 2026Episode 7632 min

Episode 76: Sandro- Almost Home

After more than four decades at the Sorocaba Zoo in São Paulo State, Brazil, male Asian elephant Sandro may finally be on his way to Elephant Sanctuary Brazil. In this episode, we look back at Sandro’s long and somewhat uncertain history — from being taken from Asia as a young elephant and trained for circus life in the Netherlands, to performing in Brazilian circuses and eventually arriving at Sorocaba Zoo in 1982. We talk about the years-long legal battle over Sandro’s future and why elephant relocations can involve so much work behind the scenes that simply cannot be shared while it is happening. We also look at some of the arguments used against moving elephants to sanctuary — and why those same concerns rarely seem to arise when elephants are transferred between zoos. With Sandro’s relocation now moving forward, we talk about the preparations and challenges involved — from working within the limitations of his enclosure while ensuring everyone’s safety, to adapting his transport crate to keep him as comfortable as possible while travelling through Central Brazil during the hottest time of year. And what will Sandro himself make of all these preparations? As always, the elephant ultimately has quite a lot to say about how things go. If all goes according to plan, this charming, cheeky and rather “spicy” elephant will become Elephant Sanctuary Brazil’s first male Asian elephant — and finally have the opportunity to discover a very different way of life. LINKS: ❤️ Help bring Sandro home. Donate here . Thank you! ❤️ Brazilian website: Sandro no santuario já . The official episode transcript can be found here . Email: We’d love to hear from you podcast@globalelephants.org Who we are: Global Sanctuary for Elephants exists to create vast, safe spaces for captive elephants, where they are able to heal physically and emotionally. There are elephants around the world in need of sanctuary, but too few places exist to be able to care for even a fraction of the elephants. International support is necessary to build sanctuaries for elephants in need of rescue and rehabilitation. Our pilot project is Elephant Sanctuary Brazil where former zoo and circus elephants from across South America live their best lives. Website : https://globalelephants.org/ Donate : Global Sanctuary for Elephants is a U.S. 501(c)3 non-profit. Our work is made possible by donations. You can support our work with a general donation, purchasing items from our wishlist , or adopting one (or all) of our elephants for a year. You can also donate with Crypto! Thank you for your support! Follow us on Facebook , Instagram , X , Threads & YouTube . While we encourage and appreciate you sharing our podcast, please note that… This presentation is protected by U.S. and International copyright laws. Reproduction and distribution of the presentation or its contents without written permission of the sponsor is prohibited. © 2023 Global Sanctuary for Elephants A big Thank You to the talented musicians Mike McGill, Ron McGill, & Sean Rodriquez for composing our podcast jingle.

August 19, 2026Episode 7527 min

Episode 75: Baby's New Life

Before jumping into stories from Baby's first weeks at Elephant Sanctuary Brazil, we revisit a topic from our previous episode and put the sugar content of Gatorade into perspective by comparing it with sugar cane. We also say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who supported our Trunks & Treasures online auction. Together with an incredibly generous donation from a longtime dedicated supporter, the sanctuary's very first on-site medical building is now fully funded. Lastly, we share updates on how Baby is settling into her new home. We talk about her growing bond with her new caregivers, her love of hose baths, and most importantly, her increasing confidence as she explores her new world. LINKS: ❤️ Our first medical buildin g is funded. Thank you! ❤️ Give a little extra love & care by adopting Baby . ❤️ Shop for yourself, friends & the elephants ❤️ Stay connected on Facebook , Instagram , X , Threads & YouTube . The episode transcript can be found here . Email: We’d love to hear from you podcast@globalelephants.org Who we are: Global Sanctuary for Elephants exists to create vast, safe spaces for captive elephants, where they are able to heal physically and emotionally. There are elephants around the world in need of sanctuary, but too few places exist to be able to care for even a fraction of the elephants. International support is necessary to build sanctuaries for elephants in need of rescue and rehabilitation. Our pilot project is Elephant Sanctuary Brazil where former zoo and circus elephants from across South America live their best lives. Website : https://globalelephants.org/ Donate : Global Sanctuary for Elephants is a U.S. 501(c)3 non-profit. Our work is made possible by donations. You can support our work with a general donation, purchasing items from our wishlist , or adopting one (or all) of our elephants for a year. You can also donate with Crypto! Thank you for your support! While we encourage and appreciate you sharing our podcast, please note that… This presentation is protected by U.S. and International copyright laws. Reproduction and distribution of the presentation or its contents without written permission of the sponsor is prohibited. © 2023 Global Sanctuary for Elephants A big Thank You to the talented musicians Mike McGill, Ron McGill, & Sean Rodriquez for composing our podcast jingle.

July 28, 2026Episode 7432 min

Episode 74: Baby's Journey: Stories from the Road

In this week's episode, we join Scott on the three-day road trip that finally brought Baby from Beto Carrero World, the amusement park where she had spent decades, to Elephant Sanctuary Brazil. Already accustomed to a crate from an earlier planned relocation to another zoo—before a court ordered that Baby would instead be transferred to ESB—Baby stepped confidently into her transport crate. But what should have been a straightforward departure soon presented unexpected challenges. Scott explains why the sanctuary's purpose-built elephant transport crates are very different from a standard overseas freight container, and how using the crate originally built for Tamy—a much larger male elephant—created unexpected challenges when transporting Baby, leading to delays before the journey could begin. Even with the judge's ruling in Baby's favor, there was still the possibility that last-minute legal intervention could have stopped the rescue altogether. Along the way, we also talk about the importance of keeping both Baby and her human care team well fed and hydrated during the long drive, and clear up a common misconception about why Gatorade is used on these relocation trips. Finally, Scott and Kat share an update on how Baby is settling into life at Elephant Sanctuary Brazil as she begins the next chapter of her healing journey. LINKS ❤️ Give a little extra love & care by ⁠adopting Baby⁠ . ❤️ ⁠Shop ⁠ for yourself, friends & the elephants ❤️ Stay connected on ⁠ Facebook⁠ , ⁠ Instagram⁠ , ⁠X⁠ , ⁠Threads ⁠ & ⁠YouTube⁠ . The episode transcript can be found here . Email: We’d love to hear from you ⁠podcast@globalelephants.org⁠ Who we are: Global Sanctuary for Elephants exists to create vast, safe spaces for captive elephants, where they are able to heal physically and emotionally. There are elephants around the world in need of sanctuary, but too few places exist to be able to care for even a fraction of the elephants. International support is necessary to build sanctuaries for elephants in need of rescue and rehabilitation. Our pilot project is Elephant Sanctuary Brazil where former zoo and circus elephants from across South America live their best lives. Website : ⁠ https://globalelephants.org/⁠ Donate : Global Sanctuary for Elephants is a U.S. 501(c)3 non-profit. Our work is made possible by donations. You can ⁠ support our work⁠ with a general donation, purchasing items from our ⁠ wishlist⁠ , or ⁠ adopting⁠ one (or all) of our elephants for a year. You can also ⁠ donate with Crypto!⁠ Thank you for your support! While we encourage and appreciate you sharing our podcast, please note that… This presentation is protected by U.S. and International copyright laws. Reproduction and distribution of the presentation or its contents without written permission of the sponsor is prohibited. © 2023 Global Sanctuary for Elephants A big Thank You to the talented musicians Mike McGill, Ron McGill, & Sean Rodriquez for composing our podcast jingle.

July 7, 2026Episode 7333 min

Episode 73: Welcome Home Baby!

Elephant Sanctuary Brazil has a new resident! Baby, a 34-year-old female Asian elephant, arrived at the sanctuary on 20 June 2026, following a court-ordered relocation from Beto Carrero World in Brazil. In this episode, we look back at Baby’s life before sanctuary, and one thing becomes strikingly clear: her story reflects many of the themes we’ve explored throughout our Rethinking Elephants series. Born into captivity, separated from her mother before her first birthday, and sold into the entertainment industry, Baby spent more than three decades under human control before finally beginning a new chapter. Kat and Scott reflect on Baby’s past, discuss the medical challenges she now faces, and explain why patience and careful observation will be key to understanding who Baby truly is. Despite the sobering realities of her past, Baby’s story is ultimately one of hope. It is another reminder that sanctuary offers captive elephants the chance to finally live life on their own terms. Muito obrigado to everyone who helped make Baby’s rescue possible. LINKS ❤️ Give a little extra love & care by adopting Baby . ❤️ Shop for yourself, friends & the elephants ❤️ Watch Baby get a big bath from Scott. ❤️ Stay connected on Facebook , Instagram , X , Threads & YouTube . The episode transcript can be found here . Email: We’d love to hear from you podcast@globalelephants.org Who we are: Global Sanctuary for Elephants exists to create vast, safe spaces for captive elephants, where they are able to heal physically and emotionally. There are elephants around the world in need of sanctuary, but too few places exist to be able to care for even a fraction of the elephants. International support is necessary to build sanctuaries for elephants in need of rescue and rehabilitation. Our pilot project is Elephant Sanctuary Brazil where former zoo and circus elephants from across South America live their best lives. Website : https://globalelephants.org/ Donate : Global Sanctuary for Elephants is a U.S. 501(c)3 non-profit. Our work is made possible by donations. You can support our work with a general donation, purchasing items from our wishlist , or adopting one (or all) of our elephants for a year. You can also donate with Crypto! Thank you for your support! Follow us on Facebook , Instagram , X , Threads & YouTube . While we encourage and appreciate you sharing our podcast, please note that… This presentation is protected by U.S. and International copyright laws. Reproduction and distribution of the presentation or its contents without written permission of the sponsor is prohibited. © 2023 Global Sanctuary for Elephants A big Thank You to the talented musicians Mike McGill, Ron McGill, & Sean Rodriquez for composing our podcast jingle.

June 24, 2026Episode 7229 min

Episode 72: Trumpets, Rumbles & Squeaks – Elephant Communication

We’ve all heard an elephant trumpet, but what does a rumble or a squeak sound like? Where in the body are these sounds produced, and what do they mean? In this week’s episode, we explore the fascinating world of elephant communication. From audible vocalizations to infrasonic and seismic communication beyond human hearing, we discuss the many ways elephants share information with one another. We also explore how captivity may influence communication. How do elephants who have spent years—or even decades—in isolation learn to “talk elephant” when they finally get the chance to live with other elephants? Is communication instinctive, learned, or a combination of both? Actually, our conversation starts with a surprising, and rather funny, misunderstanding over the word “torch”, proving that communication can be complicated even when humans are speaking the same language. PS: No slugs were harmed during or after this recording. 💚 Links : ❤️ Become a Pathfinder and support our work starting at USD10 a month. ❤️Stay connected on Facebook , Instagram , X , Threads & YouTube . The episode transcript can be found here . Email: We’d love to hear from you podcast@globalelephants.org Who we are: Global Sanctuary for Elephants exists to create vast, safe spaces for captive elephants, where they are able to heal physically and emotionally. There are elephants around the world in need of sanctuary, but too few places exist to be able to care for even a fraction of the elephants. International support is necessary to build sanctuaries for elephants in need of rescue and rehabilitation. Our pilot project is Elephant Sanctuary Brazil where former zoo and circus elephants from across South America live their best lives. Website : https://globalelephants.org/ Donate : Global Sanctuary for Elephants is a U.S. 501(c)3 non-profit. Our work is made possible by donations. You can support our work with a general donation, purchasing items from our wishlist , or adopting one (or all) of our elephants for a year. You can also donate with Crypto! Thank you for your support! While we encourage and appreciate you sharing our podcast, please note that… This presentation is protected by U.S. and International copyright laws. Reproduction and distribution of the presentation or its contents without written permission of the sponsor is prohibited. © 2023 Global Sanctuary for Elephants A big Thank You to the talented musicians Mike McGill, Ron McGill, & Sean Rodriquez for composing our podcast jingle.

June 2, 2026Episode 7129 min

EP 71: When Elephants Choose Solitude

In this episode, we explore something that seems to contradict much of what we’ve discussed in past episodes: Why do inherently social, deeply bonded elephants sometimes choose solitude, even when given the opportunity to build relationships at a sanctuary? How can an elephant who has never — or only briefly — experienced life within a true herd suddenly be expected to behave the way we think they should? How much do trauma, captivity, and personal choice shape social tolerance and connection? And does physical separation really mean these elephants are disconnected, or are they still bonded in ways we humans cannot fully see, sense, or understand? PS: 📅 Save the date and join us from June 12–20 for Trunks & Treasures , our virtual silent auction supporting the construction of a new on-site medical facility for the elephants and wildlife at the sanctuary: https://globalelephants.org/trunksandtreasures/ Email: We’d love to hear from you podcast@globalelephants.org Who we are: Global Sanctuary for Elephants exists to create vast, safe spaces for captive elephants, where they are able to heal physically and emotionally. There are elephants around the world in need of sanctuary, but too few places exist to be able to care for even a fraction of the elephants. International support is necessary to build sanctuaries for elephants in need of rescue and rehabilitation. Our pilot project is Elephant Sanctuary Brazil where former zoo and circus elephants from across South America live their best lives. Website : https://globalelephants.org/ Donate : Global Sanctuary for Elephants is a U.S. 501(c)3 non-profit. Our work is made possible by donations. You can support our work with a general donation, purchasing items from our wishlist , or adopting one (or all) of our elephants for a year. You can also donate with Crypto! Thank you for your support! Follow us on Facebook , Instagram , X , Threads & YouTube . While we encourage and appreciate you sharing our podcast, please note that… This presentation is protected by U.S. and International copyright laws. Reproduction and distribution of the presentation or its contents without written permission of the sponsor is prohibited. © 2023 Global Sanctuary for Elephants A big Thank You to the talented musicians Mike McGill, Ron McGill, & Sean Rodriquez for composing our podcast jingle.

May 12, 2026Episode 7030 min

Episode 70: The Bonds That Shape An Elephant (Part 2)

In this episode, we explore one of the most profound qualities we see and admire in elephants: their ability to grieve. Kat and Scott share stories from decades of working with captive elephants, revealing that grief is not just a moment, but a process. For some elephants in captivity, especially those encountering loss for the first time, this process may need to be learned or reawakened. Yet once it surfaces, it appears deeply instinctive and becomes part of who they are. We also examine the growing conversation around elephant emotional intelligence and the gap that still exists between what we are beginning to understand and how elephants are treated in many captive environments. While this is a more somber topic, it also offers something hopeful, a reminder that in witnessing elephants, we may find a way back to our own capacity for connection, compassion, and love. 📅 SAVE THE DATE: Our online auction Trunks & Treasures runs June 12–20, 2026. Join us to support the elephants’ medical care and bid on incredible items, including a trip for two to Elephant Sanctuary Brazil! The episode transcript can be found here. Email: We’d love to hear from you podcast@globalelephants.org Who we are: Global Sanctuary for Elephants exists to create vast, safe spaces for captive elephants, where they are able to heal physically and emotionally. There are elephants around the world in need of sanctuary, but too few places exist to be able to care for even a fraction of the elephants. International support is necessary to build sanctuaries for elephants in need of rescue and rehabilitation. Our pilot project is Elephant Sanctuary Brazil where former zoo and circus elephants from across South America live their best lives. Website : https://globalelephants.org/ Donate : Global Sanctuary for Elephants is a U.S. 501(c)3 non-profit. Our work is made possible by donations. You can support our work with a general donation, purchasing items from our wishlist , or adopting one (or all) of our elephants for a year. You can also donate with Crypto! Thank you for your support! ❤️ Become a Pathfinder and support our work starting at USD10 a month. ❤️Stay connected on Facebook , Instagram , X , Threads & YouTube . While we encourage and appreciate you sharing our podcast, please note that… This presentation is protected by U.S. and International copyright laws. Reproduction and distribution of the presentation or its contents without written permission of the sponsor is prohibited. © 2023 Global Sanctuary for Elephants A big Thank You to the talented musicians Mike McGill, Ron McGill, & Sean Rodriquez for composing our podcast jingle.

April 21, 2026Episode 6929 min

Episode 69: The Bonds That Shape An Elephant (Part 1)

In this episode, we explore some of the traits we so admire in elephants: empathy, self-awareness, and their capacity for grief, and how these are shaped by the bonds they form over a lifetime. Scott raises an important question: Can we truly understand relationships that develop over decades within multi-generational herds, when our own lives are so far removed from that kind of social structure? We look at how bonds form and what happens when they are disrupted. How do elephants in captivity build relationships without the foundation of a natural herd? And how might their experience of loss differ from that of wild elephants? Drawing on their work at Elephant Sanctuary Brazil and The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, Kat and Scott share moving stories of friendship, leadership, and loss, offering a rare insight into the emotional lives of elephants. We also touch on moments that are harder to explain, instances that hint at a deeper awareness, a kind of “knowing” that challenges our understanding of connection and what it means to be an elephant. 🐘❤️ Become a Pathfinder and support our work starting at USD10 a month. The episode transcript can be found here . Email: We’d love to hear from you podcast@globalelephants.org Who we are: Global Sanctuary for Elephants exists to create vast, safe spaces for captive elephants, where they are able to heal physically and emotionally. There are elephants around the world in need of sanctuary, but too few places exist to be able to care for even a fraction of the elephants. International support is necessary to build sanctuaries for elephants in need of rescue and rehabilitation. Our pilot project is Elephant Sanctuary Brazil where former zoo and circus elephants from across South America live their best lives. Website : https://globalelephants.org/ Donate : Global Sanctuary for Elephants is a U.S. 501(c)3 non-profit. Our work is made possible by donations. You can support our work with a general donation, purchasing items from our wishlist , or adopting one (or all) of our elephants for a year. You can also donate with Crypto! Thank you for your support! Follow us on Facebook , Instagram , X , Threads & YouTube . While we encourage and appreciate you sharing our podcast, please note that… This presentation is protected by U.S. and International copyright laws. Reproduction and distribution of the presentation or its contents without written permission of the sponsor is prohibited. © 2023 Global Sanctuary for Elephants A big Thank You to the talented musicians Mike McGill, Ron McGill, & Sean Rodriquez for composing our podcast jingle.

March 31, 2026Episode 6828 min

Episode 68: The Lives We Overlooked: The Natural Lives of Elephants

In the first episode of our new Rethinking Elephants series, we begin by exploring the architecture of elephant societies. Scott and Kat give an overview of herd structure—from matrilineal families and the role of the matriarch to key differences between African and Asian elephants. While many of our listeners are already elephant-savvy, this episode asks a deeper question: what happens when these natural systems are missing? What does life look like for captive elephants who are missing the guidance of a matriarch or the support of a multi-generational herd? We also reflect on individual stories, like Pocha raising Guillermina alone, without the allomothering and social framework elephants rely on in the wild. This episode sets the foundation for the series, drawing on the architecture of elephant societies and the bonds that shape an elephant’s life. 🐘❤️ Become an aunt - or uncle - to one of our elephants. Adopt one or more of The Girls ! The episode transcript can be found here . Email: We’d love to hear from you podcast@globalelephants.org Who we are: Global Sanctuary for Elephants exists to create vast, safe spaces for captive elephants, where they are able to heal physically and emotionally. There are elephants around the world in need of sanctuary, but too few places exist to be able to care for even a fraction of the elephants. International support is necessary to build sanctuaries for elephants in need of rescue and rehabilitation. Our pilot project is Elephant Sanctuary Brazil where former zoo and circus elephants from across South America live their best lives. Website : https://globalelephants.org/ Donate : Global Sanctuary for Elephants is a U.S. 501(c)3 non-profit. Our work is made possible by donations. You can support our work with a general donation, purchasing items from our wishlist , or adopting one (or all) of our elephants for a year. You can also donate with Crypto! Thank you for your support! Follow us on Facebook , Instagram , X , Threads & YouTube . While we encourage and appreciate you sharing our podcast, please note that… This presentation is protected by U.S. and International copyright laws. Reproduction and distribution of the presentation or its contents without written permission of the sponsor is prohibited. © 2023 Global Sanctuary for Elephants A big Thank You to the talented musicians Mike McGill, Ron McGill, & Sean Rodriquez for composing our podcast jingle.