Elephant Haven, founded by Tony Velhulst and Sofie Goetghebeur, is an elephant sanctuary that encompasses 60 acres of rural land in the South-West of France.  As relocating rescued elephants back to their country of origin is not a realistic option, Elephant Haven will provide elephants with a safe and natural home to retire to, as more and more countries in Europe ban the use of wild animals in circuses. They will also offer a home and lifetime care for elephants requiring refuge from other captive facilities. 

There will be six purpose-built stables on site, with heated living quarters and large outdoor paddocks, all of which will be accessible to the elephants 24 hours a day. Each elephant will have at least five acres of undulating land to roam in, including lakes, woodland and shrubs. In addition to standard living quarters, the sanctuary will also include a quarantine area for sick or injured elephants, specific areas to help aid social rehabilitation, and separate habitats for African and Asian elephants.

Visitors will be taught about the harsh reality of life for circus elephants and the lasting negative impact it has on their welfare. They will be able to view the rescued elephants at specific times, but only from a distance. The elephants will have the ultimate choice whether to be in view or be obscured from view in a wooded area of their paddocks.