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YORKSHIRE WILDLIFE PARK'S JOHN MINION MOVES ANNE THE CIRCUS ELEPHANT TO SAFETY

YORKSHIRE WILDLIFE PARK's heroic Animals Director John Minion was drafted in to facilitate the move of Anne, the abused circus elephant, to safety at her new retirement home this weekend.

The 59-year-old elephant's suffering horrified the nation after it was revealed that a groom employed by Anne's owner had cruelly beaten her with a pitchfork and kicked her.

Following a nationwide appeal to end her plight, the Specialist Wildlife Services contacted Mr Minion, who is one of only a few elephant experts in the country experienced at care and movement of the breed, to oversee the move of Britain's oldest elephant from Northampton to her new retirement home, Longleat Safari Park.

"It was an absolute pleasure to be asked to help Anne; I'd give up my time at the drop of a hat to help any animal in despair," said John.

"I facilitated the entire move, ensuring Anne travelled safely from her owner Bobby Roberts' base in Northampton, to her new safari park. Thankfully, she travelled superbly considering her age."

The decision was reached to re-home Anne after an unprecedented coalition of animal welfare groups came together. 

An independent vet gave the go-ahead for the Asian elephant to begin her 150-mile journey to the 900-acre estate.

There had been concerns that she would not be fit to travel due to her crippling arthritis.

There had been concerns that Anne would not make her destination, where she will see out the rest of her days, because she is seriously arthritic in her hind legs and could have lay down during transportation. However, thanks to Mr Minion's expertise, she arrived safe and sound following a constant watch by the wildlife lover. YWP's ecstatic staff member is no stranger to rescuing animals in suffering; he was also instrumental in the move of 13 lions from a rundown Romanian zoo last year to their new residence Yorkshire Wildlife Park, following a nationwide appeal to end their plight.

"As a circus elephant, Anne had moved so many times in her previous life that she was an absolute trooper during the journey," adds John. "I am looking forward to seeing her condition improve at her new home, now that she has been given the opportunity to live in safe, secure, comforting surroundings, which is no less than she deserves."