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

<p>In the first episode of our new <em>Rethinking Elephants</em> 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.</p><p>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?</p><p>We also reflect on individual stories, like Pocha raising Guillermina alone, without the allomothering and social framework elephants rely on in the wild.</p><p>This episode sets the foundation for the series, drawing on the architecture of elephant societies and the bonds that shape an elephant’s life.</p><p>🐘❤️ Become an aunt - or uncle - to one of our elephants. <a href="https://globalelephants.org/adopt-an-elephant/"><u>Adopt one or more of The Girls</u></a>!</p><p><br>The episode transcript can be <a href="https://globalelephants.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/EP68-GRP-transcript.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">found here</a>.<br></p><p><strong>Email: </strong>We’d love to hear from you <a href="mailto:podcast@globaelephants.org"><u>podcast@globalelephants.org</u></a></p><p><strong>Who we are:</strong> 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.</p><p><strong>Website</strong>:<a href="https://globalelephants.org/"> <u>https://globalelephants.org/</u></a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Donate</strong>: Global Sanctuary for Elephants is a U.S. 501(c)3 non-profit. Our work is made possible by donations. You can<a href="https://secure.globalelephants.org/forms/general-donate-button"><u> support our work</u></a> with a general donation, purchasing items from our<a href="https://globalelephants.org/wishlists/"> <u>wishlist</u></a>, or<a href="https://globalelephants.org/adopt-an-elephant/"> <u>a