Alentejo elephant sanctuary welcomes first resident

Pangea Sanctuary Opens Its Gates to Portugal's Final Circus Elephant

A New Chapter for Julie in the Alentejo Countryside

Alentejo elephant sanctuary welcomes first resident - Under the watchful eye of controlled freedom, Julie has begun her new life at the Pangea elephant sanctuary. The gentle giant has already experienced the joy of her inaugural mud bath, a simple pleasure that marks the beginning of a peaceful existence. This remarkable female elephant holds the distinction of being the very first permanent resident at the sanctuary, which sits nestled between the towns of Vila Viçosa and Alandroal in Portugal's Évora district.

Julie's journey to this tranquil haven is both long and storied. Captured from the wilds of Africa approximately four decades ago, she arrived in Portugal as a young elephant and became a beloved member of the Victor Hugo Cardinali circus in 1988. Her presence in Portuguese circuses spanned generations, making her not only the sanctuary's inaugural resident but also the final circus elephant to call Portugal home.

Legislation Meets Compassion

The path to Julie's sanctuary life was paved by progressive legislation. Portugal introduced a ban on wild animals in circuses in 2018, though the law did not take full effect until 2024. This two-year transition period allowed circus operators time to adapt their operations and locate appropriate alternatives for their animals. For many circuses, finding suitable placements proved challenging, and Julie's owner, the Cardinali circus, initially had nowhere to send her.

Now, through a voluntary agreement between the sanctuary and the circus, Julie has found her forever home. Kate Moore, Pangea's director-general, expressed her satisfaction with the arrangement: "Our experience with Victor Hugo Cardinali has been incredibly positive. I think that, once we reached that agreement, we focused solely on Julie's welfare and on trying to achieve the best outcome for her. I believe this is an excellent basis to show that this is how we want to work from now on."

Life Expectancy and Hope

While Julie's future remains uncertain, there is reason for optimism. Kate Moore shared her thoughts on the elephant's potential lifespan: "We cannot be sure; elephants in the wild live for more than 70 years. Unfortunately, elephants born in captivity have half the life expectancy of an elephant born in the wild, so we cannot know exactly how much time she has left. She has had a hard life, but I must say she has been very energetic at Pangea this week, so we remain hopeful."

Initial reports from the sanctuary indicate that Julie is adjusting remarkably well to her new surroundings. The organization noted that she is "quickly feeling comfortable enough to choose how to spend her day in her new environment," suggesting that her transition has been smoother than many might have anticipated.

Looking Toward the Future

Currently, Julie stands alone as the sanctuary's sole inhabitant, but she will not remain solitary for long. The 400-hectare facility, designed to accommodate up to 30 elephants, is preparing to welcome Kariba, another African elephant approximately 40 years old. Kariba currently resides in a Belgian zoo and was scheduled for transport earlier this year, but a foot abscess delayed her journey. Once fully treated and all conditions are met, she will join Julie in Portugal.

Pangea describes itself as "Europe's first large-scale elephant sanctuary" and positions itself as "a compassionate solution for zoos, circuses and European governments seeking lifelong homes for elephants in need." The organization's approach mirrors successful models already established across Asia, Africa, and the Americas, where animals can roam, forage, and socialize within expansive natural habitats while receiving individualized care.

"Julie is not only Pangea's first elephant, she is also the last circus elephant in Portugal; in fact, the last wild animal in any circus. That is extraordinary, and it just shows how important it is to connect legislation with sanctuaries, because there has to be a solution, a place to send these animals. I think this is just one more piece of evidence of what we are trying to do: everyone needs to come together, look at the bigger picture and make sure these animals have somewhere to go,"

Established through contributions from various organizations and donors, including comedian Ricky Gervais, Pangea is a UK-based foundation committed to elephant welfare. For now, the sanctuary remains closed to visitors, providing Julie and future residents with the quiet space they need to settle into their remarkable new beginning.