How Sanctuaries Can Heal the Trauma of Captivity

A Conversation with Scott and Kat Blais, Founders of Global Sanctuary for Elephants:
Elephants and whales share several characteristics that lead to their suffering intense trauma in captive entertainment settings like zoos, circuses and marine parks.
These large-brained, highly social mammals with long childhoods and strong cultures need to mature in closely bonded social groups. At an authentic sanctuary, they can heal from their trauma by being provided with more of what they need to thrive while being cared for by experts.
Scott and Kat Blais, founders of the Global Sanctuary for Elephants, run a beautiful, lush 2,800-acre sanctuary for elephants in Chapada dos Guimarães, Brazil. The sanctuary already cares for six Asian elephants rescued from circuses and zoos. And more are on the way.
As soon as they arrive at the sanctuary, the elephants begin their journey of healing - in mind and body - from the traumas of the entertainment business. Here they can finally rediscover who they truly are as elephants.
In this interview, live from the sanctuary grounds in Brazil, Dr. Lori Marino, Founder and President of the Whale Sanctuary Project, talks to Scott and Kat about how they got started, how they help the elephants regain some of their mental, emotional and physical health, the challenges involved, and what we can do together to grow the sanctuary movement for all large animals.
About Scott and Kat Blais:
Scott Blais is the CEO and cofounder of Global Sanctuary for Elephants. For more than 30 years, he has focused his life to improve the welfare of captive elephants through the complex understanding of their physical, emotional, and psychological needs. He is the cofounder of two renowned natural habitat elephant sanctuaries: The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee and Elephant Sanctuary Brazil, the only sanctuary for elephants.
Scott’s ever-evolving approach to elephant rehabilitation focuses on each elephant’s unique emotional journey and how, as caregivers, we can facilitate their growth beyond healing. His groundbreaking work has served to transform how the world views the complex lives of captive elephants, the negative impact of captivity, and the profound impact of sanctuary life.
Katherine Blais is the cofounder and Director of Elephant Health and Wellbeing for Global Sanctuary for Elephants. She carries over 18 years of experience with captive elephant care and recovery, formerly serving as lead caregiver and the veterinary liaison at The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee.
Currently, Katherine oversees a team of veterinarians residing across the globe, all of whom assist in the care of the elephants at Elephant Sanctuary Brazil. She has over 30 years of experience in the veterinary field, with specialties in exotic animals, holistic medicine, and wildlife rehabilitation. Her unique approach to understanding every component of elephant health and wellbeing is fundamental to providing the nuanced and adaptive care for elephants to thrive within sanctuary.
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