Joy at latest arrival to Elephant Haven

Elephant Haven welcomes new guest

It took eight years of hard work for the Elephant Haven sanctuary in southern Haute-Vienne to welcome its first guest, but just over eight months later the charity is celebrating the arrival of a second elephant. At the end of 2021, 52-year-old Gandhi arrived from a Danish zoo, and she has now been joined by Delhi, a 38-year-old female.

Delhi is an Indian elephant that was brought to a Czech zoo from Vietnam in 1986, but following the death of her partner in 2018, her handlers knew that she must eventually be moved. Elephants are very social animals and suffer if they are on their own for long periods of time. After searching far and wide, the zoo were delighted to move Delhi to the custom-built sanctuary in BussièreGalant, south of Limoges.

Delhi made the 1,500 km journey in a specially adapted truck, accompanied by Elephant Haven's co-founder, Tony Verhulst. Since her arrival, the two elephants have been getting to know each other, but as is often the case with flatmates, they have very different rhythms. While Delhi likes to sleep at night, Gandhi prefers daytime naps.

“Gandhi is happy, curious, excited, nervous and often anxious... all at the same time!” explained Sofie Goetghebeur, the other driving force behind the sanctuary. “She is happy at the arrival of her new neighbour, but also seems a little bit put out to no longer be queen of the castle.”

Tony and Sofie each had 20 years' experience working with animals at Antwerp Zoo before embarking on the adventure to create a home for retired elephants almost a decade ago. With more and more circuses choosing - or being forced - to phase out live animals from their shows, the aim of the project was always to offer a safe place for elephants to live out their days in peace, as sadly, the alternative is often euthanasia.

Elephants can live up to around 70 years old in the wild and the unique setting of the Elephant Haven allows up to three elephants to live alongside each other, but with their own private land over which they are free to roam.

Supporters of the project are obviously delighted at news of the most recent arrival, but this success does mean that the Elephant Haven now has higher running costs. To find out more about Tony and Sofie, their project and how you might be able to help, please visit their website: www.elephanthaven.org ■

FRANKLINS REMOVALS