First Elephant Retirement Home in Europe

France is opening the first European retirement home for elephants.

Sanctuary for Circus and Zoo Elephants

The 1,300 residents of Bussière-Galant, France, recently gained a new and unusual neighbour — a four-legged elephant named Gandhi. The 52-year-old Asian female elephant is the first resident of a unique sanctuary for circus and zoo elephants.

Two former Flemish zookeepers, Sofie Goetghebeur and Tony Verhulst, founded the sanctuary in response to the ban on the use of wild animals in circuses. This ban currently applies in 23 European countries and will soon come into force in France as well.

The caretakers estimate that around 100 elephants are currently living in circuses across Europe. Returning them to Asia or Africa is often complicated and can be dangerous for the animals, which is why it is better to find a local sanctuary for them.

In the heart of the Périgord-Limousin Nature Park in Bussière-Galant, Sofie and Tony began construction of the so-called «Elephant Haven» in 2016 on an old 29-hectare farm. Mayor Emmanuel Dexet was initially “a little surprised” but “delighted” by the idea of establishing the sanctuary.

Gandhi: A Life After the Zoo

Gandhi is believed to be from Thailand and to have been born in the wild. She was brought to Givskud Zoo in Denmark in 1973 and entrusted to the former zoo of Pont-Scorff in 1998.

«Gandhi is believed to have experienced some traumatic events in the past, particularly difficult relationships with members of her own species”, according to the Elephant Haven team.

Since elephants are social creatures, she will be gradually reintroduced to other elephants in the calm environment of the sanctuary. After months of preparation, she was brought to the sanctuary on 14 October.

«Three months ago, we began caring for Gandhi at the zoo to show that she could be successfully prepared for transport in order to spend a peaceful retirement there», the team explains.

Gandhi's journey by transport vehicle took 10 hours and went without complications.

«Upon her arrival, she left her crate quickly and confidently, went straight into our warm elephant barn, and immediately began to eat.»

Space for up to seven elephants

The rescue sanctuary is currently licensed for three female elephants, but there are plans to expand it. The couple ultimately hopes to take in six or seven elephants and help them live out the rest of their lives in peace.

«We hope she will stay here for another 20 years», says Sofie. According to the French Association of Zoological Parks (AFdPZ), an elephant can live up to 70 years, at least in the wild.