A GROUP who have been campaigning to get a companion for 57-year-old elephant Anne at Longleat wants experts to look again at whether she could share her home in her last years.

Anne, who was moved to Longleat in 2011 after being rescued from ill-treatment in a circus, has lived alone ever since. Experts decided in 2014 it was not suitable for her to be found an elephant companion, fearing she would be bullied by another animal because of her severe arthritis.

Now four years on, campaign group Anne Needs Elephants wants the situation re-assessed so she does not die alone, pointing out that in the wild elephants are highly social animals who live in family groups.

Member Janet Mortimer said: “Longleat have done a good job in looking after Anne and helping her get better after she was brought to them in a very bad state of health.

““Arthritis is a common problem for elephants who have been in captivity, and in sanctuaries elephants with this condition or worse have managed to thrive with a companion.

“Elephants are very nurturing and co-operating animals who are very rarely aggressive towards each other.

“When introduced to a suitable companion they are introduced slowly with a fence in between them so they can get used to each other gradually.

“Anne does have experience of being around other elephants from when she was in the circus, including with baby elephants, so we think she would react well to another elephant.

“We think that now four years on, another review would find Anne more suited to a companion.

“The decision wasn’t one which was made for the rest of Anne’s life so we believe it should be reviewed, whether this means Longleat take on another elephant or Anne is taken to a sanctuary where she can be with other elephants.”

Last week Pelusa, an elephant at a zoo in Argentina, died after 44 years living alone. Plans had been made to move her to the Global Sanctuary for Elephants in Brazil but sadly she died before it could happen.

Anne Needs Elephants are determined to stop Anne from spending the rest of her life alone.

Ms Mortimer said: “There is no need for an elephant to die alone.

“It is like saying to a human you can’t be with anyone because you have arthritis, that just isn’t right.”

Longleat Safari Park issued a statement saying: "Since she arrived at Longleat back in 2011 Anne’s health and overall condition has advanced significantly with massive improvements to her skin condition, mobility, feet and sleep patterns.

"This positive progress is ongoing and she has a dedicated team of keepers, who are overseeing her care daily, as well as a zoological osteopath and veterinary team. She is also monitored 24hrs a day via CCTV.

"Her health and wellbeing are constantly under review with studies and the introduction of new enrichment devices, a specialist diet and nutritional advice.

"Anne lives in a purpose-built facility with a large outdoor space which includes sand, grass, water pool and enrichment features. Her indoor environment includes a 994-square-metre temperature controlled building with natural skylights, deep sand floors, automated feeding systems and specialist treatment area.

"She decides when she gets up, if she wants to go outside or stay indoors and shares her home with a group of goats which provide interaction and company without posing a threat to her welfare.

"Anne is now in her sixties and, in addition to her great age, she has also had to contend with the physical and mental hardships of spending almost 50 years performing in a circus.

"Given Anne’s age, limited mobility due to arthritis, compromised health, and the fact she has lived a large amount of her life without other elephants we strongly believe her current situation is the best option at this time.

"However, her team will continue to regularly monitor her progress and make changes to her lifestyle if there is the opportunity to do so always with Anne’s best interests coming first.

"We believe there would be a massive and unjustifiable risk in attempting to move Anne to a new home. Her age and mobility would make the journey alone extremely hazardous as well as the very real risk of her not settling into a new space with the people, animals and environment.

"There is also strong possibility that another, more dominant elephant could take advantage of Anne’s limited arthritic mobility.

"We also entirely understand and sympathise with the genuine belief some people have that, despite all of Anne’s very specific issues, she would benefit from the company of other elephants.

"A recent online petition has called on Anne to be re-located to an ‘elephant haven’ in Europe to be with other rescued elephants. While we are sure the intentions behind the petition are heartfelt, we are concerned they are offering an unrealistic hope to people unfamiliar with the reality of the situation.

"The overwhelming opinion among elephant experts familiar with Anne’s case is that the stresses and risks involved with transporting her are unacceptable.

"Even if that were not the case to justify relocating Anne the new facility would have to be a demonstrable improvement on her existing situation. To date, the ‘haven’ referred to in the petition has not been built and has no elephants."