Asian elephant Maia arrives in the area of adaptation at Latin America's first elephant sanctuary in Chapada dos Guimaraes, Brazil, Wednesday, October 12. "Societies around the world are starting to become more aware of the trauma we have caused these animals" in captivity, said Scott Blais, an American who drew on his experience co-founding a similar sanctuary in Tennessee in 1995 to help this one off the ground.
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Asian elephant Guida explores the free area for the first time and is observed by a sanctuary technician.
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Children from the Rio da Casca community react to seeing an elephant for the first time on October 11 as they watch the convoy transporting Asian elephants Maia and Guida to their new home.
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Asian elephant Guida lifts a paw as she stands in her new home.
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Maia explores her new home.
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Asian elephants Maia and Guida in the elephant sanctuary in Chapada dos Guimaraes, Brazil.
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Maia, an Asian elephant who spent most of her life as a circus performer, looks out from her new home.
