Meet our new Elephant Care Team! Joining us are three incredible professionals whose expertise will ensure we provide our elephants with the highest standards of care and compassion from the very beginning: Gail Laule, John Nascimento, and Graça Oliveira. 

Gail Laule – Elephant Transition Coordinator

Gail Laule is a world-renowned animal behavior specialist and a true trailblazer in elephant welfare. For more than 30 years, she’s been changing the way we care for elephants. Gail co-developed the groundbreaking “protected contact” approach, transforming how these complex animals are trained with positive reinforcement. Through her organization, Active Environments, Gail has brought this more humane training practice to zoos, sanctuaries, and research centers worldwide. Her influential publications, including “Positive Reinforcement Training as an Enrichment Strategy” and “Protected Contact and Elephant Welfare,” have become essential resources within the animal care community. 

As our Elephant Transition Coordinator, Gail will lead the creation of behavior programs that help elephants feel safe and respected, encouraging them to participate in their own care. She’ll also train our caregivers in the protected contact approach, which will make it easier for new elephant arrivals to begin building safe, trusting relationships. Imagine an elephant, once wary and withdrawn, choosing of their own free will to engage with a caregiver for the first time. That’s the kind of transformation Gail helps make possible.

John Nascimento – Elephant Caregiver

Joining Gail is seasoned animal behavior specialist, John Nascimento, who brings over 20 years of experience working with marine and terrestrial mammals. John first discovered his deep passion for elephants while working in Abu Dhabi, where he was struck by their intelligence and emotional depth. Since then, he has been committed to advancing their wellbeing through empathetic, relationship-centered training practices. Most recently, John worked alongside Gail at Mandai Wildlife Group in Singapore, where the two collaborated on improving the lives of captive wildlife through progressive behavioral programs. He is excited to bring his skills into the sanctuary world in his home country of Portugal.

As Pangea’s first full-time Elephant Caregiver, John will play a vital role in the day-to-day lives of our elephants. His responsibilities will include preparing and delivering tailored diets, observing behavior to monitor health and emotional wellbeing, assisting with medical routines, maintaining clean and enriching environments, and building relationships rooted in trust. John will also work closely with Gail to apply protected contact methods.

Graça Oliveira – Wildlife Veterinarian

Rounding out the team is highly accomplished wildlife veterinarian, Graça Oliveira. She brings a passion for wildlife and years of field experience caring for large mammals, including elephants. Graça is also a Managing Partner at European Wildlife Vets and was previously Head of the Animal Department at Badoca Safari Park.

At Pangea, Graça will make sure every elephant gets top-notch veterinary support. She’ll oversee all veterinary care, and develop specialized medical programs tailored to each individual elephant.

Together, Gail, John, and Graça will lead a care team established to meet the complex physical and emotional needs of our elephants. We’re so proud to have these three individuals at Pangea and can’t wait for you to see the impact they’ll make.