Time of her life: Anne appears to have a big smile on her face as she splashes herself with sand at her new home yesterdayIt was only her second full day in her new home, but Anne the elephant gave every appearance yesterday of having been there for years.
After months of horrifying abuse at the hands of a circus trainer, she was revelling in her new-found freedom, playing in the sand and trying out her over-sized toys.
Her 13-acre enclosure at Longleat safari park is to become Europe’s first elephant sanctuary – thanks to a Daily Mail campaign.
Digging in: Anne revels in her new found freedom as she buries her trunk deep into the new sandpitInspired by Anne’s story, television stars and even royalty last night queued up to pledge their support.
Simon Cowell was one of the first to make a significant donation. ‘I have followed this story for the last few days,’ said the 51-year-old X Factor judge.
‘Thank you to the Mail for highlighting this appalling cruelty and I hope this will help all the similar animals also in distress. I urge everyone to get behind this campaign.’
Amanda Holden, 40, of Britain’s Got Talent, said: ‘It greatly saddened me to hear of the plight of Anne the elephant.
Play time: The 59-year-old former circus elephant is still young enough to have fun with this tractor tyre‘These beautiful creatures deserve our respect, and I am glad she now has the care she deserves.’
A spokesman for Princess Michael of Kent said: ‘She is 100 per cent behind this and thinks that it is a really important story.’
Shocking pictures taken by Animal Defenders International showed Romanian groom Nikolae mistreating Anne, 59, at a compound owned by Bobby Roberts Super Circus.
But on Sunday she was moved to Longleat, which will build a £1million enclosure with swimming pool, central heating, wading area and proper fencing for her and up to five other rescued elephants.
Lord Bath, who owns the Wiltshire reserve, said: ‘We are delighted that Anne has arrived at Longleat and seems to have settled in so quickly.’
Timber! Anne nuzzles up to the trunk of a tree. It is hoped she will be joined by up to five other elephants at the Wiltshire refugeIf you would like to contribute, fill out the coupon below and send a cheque. Alternatively use the dedicated telephone line or website.
source: dailymail
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