La Taniere near Chartres is a unique refuge zoo for abandoned animals from across Europe.
It is run by a French couple, who opened the refuge mainly for circus animals a few years ago.
Since the pandemic circuses are not allowed to travel and last year the French government announced it intended to phase out the use of live animals in the small travelling circuses have been a feature of French rural life for decades. As a result, their refuge zoo has grown.
The site is now home to over 600 animals - hippos, lions, tigers, elephants monkeys – each with a story to tell and now safe and sound in the beautiful french countryside.
Dan Rivers visited the zoo sanctuary in France where some former animal performers and their handlers are being given a well-deserved retirement.
On Assignment is ITV's current affairs series presented by Rageh Omaar where ITV News journalists contribute in-depth reports from around the world on the stories behind the headlines.
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