Gandhi, the first resident of“Elephant Haven”, a haven of peace imagined by Sofie Goetghebeur and Tony Verhulst, two former healers of the Antwerp zoo (Belgium) for circus elephants, arrived on October 14 in Bussière-Galant, in Haute-Vienne (Limousin). The duo have been working on the opening of this unique structure in Europe for more than five years and had to face many financial and administrative vicissitudes.
The healers have known Gandhi for several years. Now 52 years old, she was probably born in Asia and joined a first circus in Denmark in 1973. From 1988, the elephant was then at the Pont Scorff zoo (Morbihan) which has experienced recent difficulties and after a lawsuit, she and other animals “were given to a new owner, who decided that Gandhi would benefit from our offer to take care of her”, explain the caretakers in a statement.
Careful preparation for his arrival
The healers started taking care of Gandhi three months ago, before his arrival at the shelter. “Over the past few months, Gandhi has revealed more facets of her personality every day, and she immediately won our hearts by responding so well to all the new experiences we have offered her,” they write. Everyone started to see a transformation. “
After a ten hour journey, the elephant discovered her new place of residence. “When she arrived, she got out of her crate quickly and confidently, straight into the heated barn and started eating right away,” say the caretakers. We are so proud of her and of the courage she has shown ”
An adaptation in progress
Obviously tired after her long trip, she seems to be taking her marks slowly. “She is still adapting to her new environment and we simply follow her rhythm, preserving her privacy and ensuring peace around her at all times”, specify the managers of the site.
She has not yet explored all the space reserved for her, but there is no question of rushing her. “We often see her grazing the grass outside or looking for enrichment items she knows, but we don’t know when she will be ready to enter the large outdoor enclosure – that will be her choice,” he explains. they.
For the moment no visit is possible on the Limousin site, so that it acclimates as quietly as possible to its new green setting, far from the marquees, the lights and the shouts of the public.