# Elephant Sandro continues adaptation at Mato Grosso

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/elephant-sandro-relocation-from-sorocaba-zoo
> Updated: 2026-10-16T13:43:39.000Z. Sources: 26. Developments: 5.

Following a 1,600-kilometer journey from the Quinzinho de Barros Municipal Zoo in Sorocaba, 54-year-old Asian elephant Sandro has begun his adaptation at the Elephant Sanctuary Brazil (SEB) in Chapada dos Guimarães, Mato Grosso.

Sandro’s transfer followed 44 years at the Sorocaba zoo and was mandated by the São Paulo Court of Justice. The legal move followed disputes involving the Public Ministry and animal protection organizations, with advocates arguing the zoo's facilities were inadequate, particularly after the 2020 death of his companion, Haisa.

During his initial period, monitoring showed Sandro exploring the environment, utilizing mud areas, and drinking plenty of water. While veterinary teams identified gait asymmetries and toe lesions—suggesting possible osteoarticular changes—specialists planned to use positive reinforcement conditioning to facilitate medical exams without invasive sedation.

One month after his arrival on September 18, sanctuary staff report that Sandro is adapting well. Observed behaviors include taking water and mud baths and using branches to scratch himself. Raphael Bontempi Ferreira, president of the sanctuary, noted that the transition has been surprisingly smooth, stating it feels as though the elephant has ‘always belonged there.’ With Sandro’s arrival, the sanctuary now houses seven elephants.

## Claims

- Sandro is a 54-year-old Asian elephant. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Protesters attempted to block the elephant's departure from Sorocaba, requiring police intervention. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Sandro is the first male elephant to join the sanctuary in Chapada dos Guimarães. (single source)
- Sandro had lived at the Quinzinho de Barros Municipal Zoo in Sorocaba since 1982. (single source)
- A court order in June mandated the transfer following a five-year legal dispute. (single source)
- A petition supporting the transfer gathered over 66,000 signatures. (single source)
- The city of Sorocaba filed appeals to suspend the judicial order for the transfer. (single source)
- The transport included specialized equipment such as thermal cameras and air conditioning. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-16: Sandro the elephant adapts to new sanctuary after 44 years in zoo

Sandro, an Asian elephant who spent 44 years in a São Paulo zoo, is successfully adapting to life at the Elephant Sanctuary Brazil in Mato Grosso following a court-ordered transfer.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sandro-the-elephant-adapts-to-new-sanctuary-after-44-years-in-zoo

### 2026-09-21: Elephant Sandro begins adaptation at Mato Grosso sanctuary

Sandro, a 54-year-old elephant, has begun adapting to the Santuário de Elefantes Brasil in Chapada dos Guimarães after being transferred from a zoo in São Paulo.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/elephant-sandro-begins-adaptation-at-mato-grosso-sanctuary

### 2026-09-18: Sandro the elephant arrives at Mato Grosso sanctuary

Sandro, an Asian elephant, has arrived at the Santuário de Elefantes Brasil in Mato Grosso after a 1,600 km journey from Sorocaba, ending a long legal battle over his welfare.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sorocaba-zoo-honors-elephant-sandro-following-transfer

### 2026-09-15: Elephant Sandro begins transfer from Sorocaba Zoo to Mato Grosso sanctuary

Sandro, a 54-year-old elephant, has begun a 1,600-km transfer from Sorocaba's Quinzinho de Barros Zoo to a sanctuary in Mato Grosso following a court order regarding enclosure conditions.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/elephant-sandro-begins-transfer-from-sorocaba-zoo-to-mato-grosso-sanctuary

### 2026-09-10: Sorocaba Zoo begins preparations to transfer elephant Sandro

Preparations have started to transfer Sandro, an elephant from Sorocaba's Quinzinho de Barros Zoo, to a sanctuary in Mato Grosso following a court order.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sorocaba-zoo-begins-preparations-to-transfer-elephant-sandro

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Cite as: Elephant Sandro continues adaptation at Mato Grosso. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/elephant-sandro-relocation-from-sorocaba-zoo