Elephants are not native to South America, and as such, they are not commonly found in the wild in this region. However, they can be found in captivity in zoos, circuses, and other facilities in South America.
Elephants’ captivity remains controversial, with advocates pushing for humane treatment and protection in the wild. I’ll explore the history and current state of elephants in South America, focusing on their presence in captivity and efforts to care for and safeguard them.
How Many Elephants Are In South America?
Currently, no wild elephants live in South America. However, an estimated 50 elephants are in captivity in zoos, circuses, and other private facilities across the continent.
Brazil has the highest number of captive elephants, with about 35 in captivity. The US-based non-profit Global Sanctuary for Elephants (GSE) started its first project in Brazil to address the issue of elephants displaced by bans on performing animals in South America.
The Elephant Sanctuary in Brazil, located in Mato Grosso, was founded by GSE to offer a safe, natural habitat for elephants—in fact, it’s the first sanctuary of its kind in Latin America.
