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Is the word elefante the same in Brazilian and European Portuguese?

Yes

The word "elefante" is identical in meaning, spelling, and grammatical gender across both Brazilian and Continental Portuguese. The only difference lies in pronunciation. In Brazilian Portuguese, the vowels are generally more open, and the final "e" is often pronounced as a soft "ee" sound ([e.le.ˈfɐ̃.tʃi]). In Continental Portuguese, vowels are much more reduced or "closed"; the final "e" is nearly silent or becomes a very short, unrounded vowel ([e.le.ˈfɐ̃.tɨ]), making the word sound more clipped.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

  1. O elefante é muito pesado. (The elephant is very heavy.)
  2. Eu vi um elefante no zoológico. (I saw an elephant at the zoo.)
  3. O elefante está comendo grama. (The elephant is eating grass.)
  4. Aquele elefante é muito inteligente. (That elephant is very intelligent.)
  5. O elefante tem uma tromba grande. (The elephant has a large trunk.)

Portuguese (Continental) Examples

  1. O elefante é muito pesado. (The elephant is very heavy.)
  2. Eu vi um elefante no zoo. (I saw an elephant at the zoo.)
  3. O elefante está a comer relva. (The expense is eating grass.)
  4. Aquele elefante é muito inteligente. (That elephant is very intelligent.)
  5. O elefante tem uma tromba grande. (The elephant has a large trunk.)