Portugal’s Last Circus Elephant Moves to New Sanctuary in Alentejo

Julie, an African elephant captured in Africa around 40 years ago, has arrived at the Pangea elephant sanctuary in Portugal and is already roaming under controlled freedom. She has taken her first mud bath at the site located between Vila Viçosa and Alandroal in the Évora district.

Euronews reported that Julie was the last circus elephant in Portugal and the final wild animal held by any Portuguese circus.

She joined the Victor Hugo Cardinali circus in 1988 after arriving in the country as a young animal. Portugal banned wild animals from circuses in 2018, though the measure only took effect in 2024. After the law entered force, Julie remained with the circus until a voluntary agreement allowed her transfer to the sanctuary.

Kate Moore, Pangea’s director-general, told the Associated Press that elephants in the wild live more than 70 years while those born in captivity have roughly half that expectancy. Moore added that Julie has been very energetic since arriving. The sanctuary stated that Julie is adapting well and now feels comfortable enough to choose how to spend her day.

The UK-based Pangea foundation opened the facility with support from multiple donors, including comedian Ricky Gervais. The 400-hectare site has capacity for 30 animals and describes itself as Europe’s first large-scale elephant sanctuary. Julie remains the sanctuary’s only inhabitant for now.

The facility will stay closed to visitors to give residents space to settle. Kariba, an approximately 40-year-old African elephant living alone in a Belgian zoo, is scheduled to join her later this year once treatment for a foot abscess is complete.