Portugal’s last circus elephant becomes Alentejo sanctuary’s first resident

Portugal’s last circus elephant has become the first resident at the Pangea sanctuary in Alentejo, marking the opening of what is considered “Europe’s first large-scale sanctuary”.

In a statement released today, the Pangea Trust said that the female elephant, named Julie, has now arrived at the sanctuary, situated in the municipalities of Vila Viçosa and Alandroal, in the district of Évora, as part of a voluntary agreement with the Victor Hugo Cardinali circus.

“The first resident of the Pangea Elephant Sanctuary marks the transition to a future without wild animals in Portuguese circuses and a decisive step towards the welfare of elephants across Europe,” writes the organisation.

According to Pangea Trust, Julie’s arrival from the Victor Hugo Cardinali circus marks the completion of the implementation of Portugal’s ban on wild animals in circuses.

“The law was passed in 2018 and came into force in 2024. However, Julie could not leave the circus until there was a regulated solution and an institution for her to go to,” says the statement

Having arrived from Southern Africa at a very young age, Julie joined the Cardinali circus in 1988 and performed for around 40 years, until “she stopped performing when the ban came into force on 1 January 2024 and her last companion passed away that same year”.

“While the Cardinali family was considering her future, Pangea was finalising the licensing process to offer her a permanent home”.

Fate stepped in, ensuring Julie a wonderful retirement.

The elephant sanctuary covers more than 400 hectares and was created to “provide these highly intelligent and sociable animals with the space, autonomy and companionship they need to live a full life”, explains the trust.

“Julie will be free to explore her new environment at her own pace, across several hectares of natural habitat, whilst receiving the specialist care she needs for the rest of her life”.

According to the organisation, given her history, Julie will need “support to manage health and mobility issues common in elephants of her age, and with her background”.

Her care will be overseen by Pangea’s team of specialists, while Victor Hugo Cardinali will “continue to closely monitor her adaptation to her new environment”.

Julie is set to be joined later this year by Kariba, another African elephant, also captured in the wild and aged around 40, who currently lives alone in a Belgian zoo.

Quoted in the press release, Pangea’s director-general, Kate Moore, said that “working in partnership with the owners to find the right solution is essential”, pointing out that many circuses and zoos in Europe “are reaching a point where keeping elephants is no longer possible or appropriate: they need a home”.

Expressing her gratitude for the “ongoing involvement” of Victor Hugo Cardinali’s circus in this process, Kate Moore said that Pangea’s focus now is “to provide Julie with the best possible quality of life for the time she has left”.

Victor Hugo Cardinali, who is also quoted in the press statement, refers to the bond he shares with Julie, acknowledging that, although this change has been challenging, “it is the right decision for her”. Julie “has been part of our family for nearly forty years (…) being able to work alongside Pangea on every step of her move, and to stay involved as she settles in, gave us the confidence to take it. We wish her a happy life in her new home and we will continue to be involved in her life.“

Regarded as “Europe’s first major sanctuary”, this elephant reserve, which remains closed to the public, is intended for elephants that have lived in captivity; it has a capacity for 30 animals, and an investment of €15 million is planned over the next 10 years or so. People can follow Julie’s progress on Pangea’s social media channels*, where regular updates will be shared as she settles into her new life.

*Facebook: @thepangeatrust

Instagram: @pangea_trust

LinkedIn: @ pangea-trust

TikTok: @pangeaelephantsanctuary

YouTube: @pangeatrust

Source: LUSA/pangeatrust.org