Retired circus elephants in Europe will soon have a safe place to call home, as World Elephant Protection (WAP) and Elephant Haven work together to build Europe’s first-ever elephant sanctuary.
Work has begun on the 70-acre plot of land in Limousin, France, with the first barn expected to be completed and ready to accept elephants by October this year.
Image Credit: Elephant Haven European Elephant Sanctuary
The sanctuary is sorely needed, with more than 100 elephants currently remaining in circuses throughout Europe. Over 14 countries have introduced laws banning the use of wild animals in circuses, with many bans coming into effect in the next few years. Denmark is the latest country to jump on board.
“As the long-awaited circus bans come into place across Europe, Elephant Haven is a desperately needed sanctuary where former circus elephants will be safely housed with a life they deserve,” said CEO of WAP, Steve McIvor. “These elephants have suffered a lifetime of misery, held in captivity and forced to endure cruel and intensive training to make them ‘safe’ to interact with people and entertain.”
Elephant Haven is already planning construction of a second barn – aiming to house another five elephants before 2020. The site will eventually be open to the public, but the elephants won’t be expected to work to earn their keep; visitors will watch from purpose-built platforms as the elephants roam and exhibit natural behaviors, just as they would in the wild.
Image Credit: Elephant Haven, European Elephant Sanctuary
As with all good sanctuaries, there will be no direct contact between visitors and elephants. Restraints and chains will not be used, and there will only be protected contact between the elephants and their caregivers.
Elephant Haven’s mission is not only to offer elephants a place to retire – they aim to resocialize them into herds, provide valuable information and non-invasive research about the behavioral requirements of elephants, and “contribute to a world of respect and protection for elephants and their habitat.”
“Retired elephants from circuses deserve a happy place to live out the rest of their lives. The elephants are our priority, and we will work hard to keep them safe,” stated Tony Verhulst, Co-founder of Elephant Haven.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!WE HOPE MORE ANIMALS SANCTUARY WILL OPEN IN THE FUTURE NOT ONLY FOR ELEPHANTS BUT FOR ALL ABUSED ANIMALS FROM ALL EUROPEAN CIRCUS!!??????????????????
THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!!! AMAZING!!!! I HOPE that one can be built in the USA!!!!!!! THANK-YOU!!!!
OUR WORLD DESPERATELY NEEDS SANCTUARIES FOR ABUSED ANIMALS. KEEP DEMANDING FULL ANIMAL PROTECTIONS. HELP END ANIMAL TESTING/ABUSE/ENTERTAINMENT
How wonderful. A mighty big thank you for the appreciation from the silent voices. Great work can’t wait to see the end results.
Congratulations! Praying for all your future efforts. Please save all you can!
Compassion
GREAT NEWS.THANKS FOR ALL THE GOOD PEOPLE INVOLVED
This is wonderful news. At least these poor elephants will get some years to live their lives in a safe and harmonious environment. Thank you to all people involved in developing this sanctuary.
Wonderfu ! I am so happy that this European elephant Sanctuary is being build for the circus elephants. Hope every one of the elephants get there very soon. Thank you Countries that Ban the use of elephants and other animals in circuses.
This is wonderful news indeed. Captive elephants sorely need places of santuary and tranquility after the lives they have led. ??
It Do good that some doing that
Best news I’ve heard today!!!
We need as many elephant sanctuaries as we can get ? ❤️
Yes I totally agree with u!! This is the best news of the day! I feel so bad for these beautiful animals what they had to endure the whole life makes me sick,
Please have mercy on the animals thank you
Wonderful news. Thank yoo. x
YES!!!!!
Take heed World!
Such good news is greatly appreciated and must be spread globally. Thank you for responsibly caring in providing this much-needed sanctuary.
Wonderful news! Animals don’t belong in circuses and entertainment anyway! A sanctuary for these elephants to be retired to is fantastic! To be able to form new family groups, be able to get about freely, no chains to bind them, no whips, no bull hooks, no being forced to perform, just roam about, rest, take dirt baths, lay down in water if they choose, eat at will, scratch on a tree….all away from peering humans. Although I’d love to see them enjoying themselves FINALLY, I understand why one cannot.
How wonderful!
Where and how can we keep animals safe from evil demonic barbaric human beings? Thank God for those trying their best to help all animals.
YOU ALL ROCK! THANK YOU!
ThankYou Elephant Haven!!
Will you expand to save all the elephants??
Super , j’ai envoyé des dons pour aider à ce projet moi qui adore les éléphants. Vivement que des éléphants arrivent pour une douce retraite bien méritée
Thank-You, Elephant ? Haven!!!
How many elephants need to be saved ??
Can you expand to fit them all??
Wonderful news but sad that it is needed
That’s great news!!!
As I understood is …. Europe’s first-ever elephant sanctuary! Great News! Thank YOU!!
Wonderful news!
Rebekah it does say EUROPE.. Last I looked Tennessee was not in Europe?!
It’s been a long time coming. I believe the owners have had several problems regarding funding so I’m glad they have finally got it going.
Very good news
Stop circus, its just torture and cruelty against animals.
This is absolutely Not the World’s First Elephant Sanctuary & speaking on behalf of Elephant Aid International as an official & verified fundraising team member I would like You to amend the wording of this as it is very misleading! The World’s largest Elephant Sanctuary for retired Circus Elephants & other enslaved Elephants in in Tennessee, North America & is owned by Elephant Aid International. It has been there for quite some time! I fully support the project You’re sharing but I do not support misleading wording that detracts from the work other good Elephant organisations do!
Rebekah it’s Europes first ever circus elephant sanctuary. Maybe yoo should read things properly before yoo write a reply infuture.
Kudos to all involved in making this a reality for elephants. Hooray!
Let’s hope this is just the beginning and more countries do the same. Long overdue.
Wow that is great news.
great news.
This is fantastic news. Thank you Elephant Haven and World Animal Protection from the bottom of my heart ❤?
Wonderful news! Cheers to France for pioneering Elephant Haven and all those involved.
This is the best news I have heard all week, for people to put their time and effort into such a wonderful haven is just gold as far as I am concerned.
Thank you, France, for helping animals. I hope more countries will follow your example. We need to do so much better here too.