Ruby is a young African savanna elephant who carries memories of a tragic past involving poachers, a circus, and a roadside mall cage. She now lives in the Elephant Odyssey enclosure at the WildWorld Zoological Park and Sanctuary. As the youngest in the herd, she feels anxious about her impending induction into adulthood but relies heavily on the comfort and support of her chosen family.

Ivan is a gorilla who lives in the enclosure adjacent to Elephant Odyssey, having been relocated from the same mall cage where Ruby and Aunt Stella lived. He serves as a protective, adoptive uncle to Ruby. He misses Aunt Stella terribly and struggles to openly discuss his grief, preferring to avoid the painful subject altogether.

Bob is a cheeky stray dog who used to slip in and out of the cages at the mall. Now adopted by a loving human family, he frequently visits the sanctuary to check in on his old friends Ivan and Ruby. He employs humor to lighten heavy moments but offers surprisingly wise advice about confronting painful memories.

Aunt Akello is the matriarch of the Park Herd at the WildWorld Zoological Park and Sanctuary. Also originally from Africa, she understands the trauma associated with ivory poachers and the heavy burden of memory. She acts as a firm but loving guide for Ruby as she approaches adulthood.

Aunt Stella is an older, matriarchal elephant who lived in the Big Top Mall and Video Arcade alongside Ruby and Ivan. She provided Ruby with comfort, elephant wisdom, and unconditional love during their bleakest times in captivity. Her memory heavily influences Ruby's views on family and belonging.

Jabori is a compassionate human handler who worked at the African baby elephant orphanage. He nursed Ruby back to health after she lost her mother, offering her food, comfort, and safety in the aftermath of her trauma. His sudden appearance at the sanctuary prompts Ruby to reflect on her early life.

Julia is a young human girl whose father works at the sanctuary. She and her family adopted Bob the dog, and she regularly brings him to visit his former companions Ivan and Ruby.

Bishara is Ruby's powerful and beautiful mother. She was a loving parent and "elebrella" who protected Ruby until she was tragically killed by ivory poachers during a severe drought.

Grandmama is the wise matriarch of Ruby's original herd on the African savanna. She guides her family through dangerous, drought-stricken lands in search of survival.

Aunt Kinyani is a female gorilla and Ivan's companion at the sanctuary. She is supportive of Ivan and friendly toward Ruby, though she occasionally reminds Ruby of the natural boundaries between their species.

Gichinga is a cattle egret who served as an early companion for Ruby in Africa. He rode on her back, ate bugs kicked up by the herd, and made music with her.

Aunt Zania is the second-oldest elephant in the Park Herd. She remains cynical about humans due to her past traumas but acknowledges that Ruby must face growing up.

Aunt Laheli is a member of the Park Herd who is blind in one eye from a past encounter with a cruel human. She frequently checks on Ruby's well-being and offers advice about managing the pain of growing tusks.

Odongo is a small African hedgehog who shared an enclosure with Ruby and Jabori at the orphanage. He would often bury the hat Ruby threw during playtime.

Fiona is an older elephant at the Fizzle Brothers Family Circus. She is sullen, withdrawn, and visibly broken by her life in captivity.

Reth is Ruby's older brother, who lived with their original herd on the African savanna.