About Us

As a child, Maria Hennessy’s dream was to join the circus. When Maria grew up, she got a job in London before landing her dream job; a dream that turned into a nightmare when she found how bad the elephants were treated. This led Maria to travel to Nepal, India and onto Japan to tend to sick circus elephants where she hired a jumbo jet to fly them to a safari park in Argentina. In 1975, Maria went to Afghanistan and persuaded army guards to let her into a compound to help an injured elephant. It was then that she founded Socelex (Society against Elephant Exploitation). Maria soon found that other animals needed help and Socelex expanded to include all animals in need. In 1996, Maria sadly passed away from cancer. Her brother John, along with a small team of volunteers carry on her work to this day. Funded solely by public donations, Socelex continue to care for as many injured and abandoned animals as possible.   

Our Mission

Our mission is to ensure the well-being of all animals entrusted to us. We strive to create a supportive environment where every animal receives essential care and affection. Community support is crucial, allowing us to maintain a loving refuge and continue to provide high-quality care.

Community Support and Engagement

Engaging with the community is central to our operations. As a non-profit, we rely on public generosity and donations. This support sustains our sanctuary and fosters a compassionate society that values animal welfare and well-being.