Born Free-backed elephant sanctuary in Portugal welcomes its first arrival

Julie’s first day at Pangea (c) Pangea Elephant Sanctuary / Wade Million

Julie, Portugal’s last circus elephant and the last wild animal remaining in a Portuguese circus, has arrived at Pangea Elephant Sanctuary, the first of its kind in Europe.  She is the sanctuary’s first resident. 

Her arrival, in a voluntary agreement with the Víctor Hugo Cardinali circus, completes the implementation of Portugal’s ban on wild animals in circuses. The law was passed in 2018 and took full effect in 2024, but Julie could not leave the circus until there was somewhere for her to go.

Julie arrived in Portugal from southern Africa as a young calf and joined the Cardinali circus in 1988.  After over 40 years performing, she was retired when the ban came into effect in 2024, and her last remaining companion died the same year. As the Cardinali family considered her future, Pangea was in a position to offer her a permanent home.

Located in the Alentejo, Pangea is a 1,000-acre sanctuary for elephants, created to give these highly intelligent, social animals the space, autonomy and companionship they need to live a fulfilling life. Born Free is a founding member of Pangea – it was Dame Virginia McKenna’s original vision that Europe’s captive elephants needed the option of a transformative, life-changing sanctuary. Julie will have the freedom to explore her new surroundings at her own pace, across acres of natural habitat, while receiving the expert care she needs in her remaining years.

Julie has enjoyed her first days at Pangea (c) Pangea Elephant Sanctuary / Wade Million / Renato Lainho

With her background, she will need support for health and mobility problems common in elephants of her age and history.  Her care will be overseen by Pangea’s specialist team, with Mr Cardinali remaining closely involved as she acclimatises to her new way of life.

Before long, she will also have company. Julie is expected to be joined later this year by Kariba, another female African elephant, also wild-caught and in her 40s like Julie, currently living alone at a zoo in Belgium. Pangea is also in discussions with other elephant-owning institutions about other compatible elephants that could join them.

Kate Moore, Managing Director of Pangea, said: ”Julie is the first elephant to call Pangea home, and there could be no more fitting first resident than Portugal’s last circus elephant. Many circuses and zoos across Europe are reaching the point where keeping elephants is no longer possible or appropriate, and they need somewhere to turn. Working in partnership with owners to find the right solution is central to how we operate, as it has been with the Víctor Hugo Cardinali circus, and we are very grateful for their continued involvement. Our focus is now to give Julie the best possible quality of life in her time ahead.”

Dame Virginia McKenna said: “For so many years, I longed for Europe to have a sanctuary for elephants – rescued or relinquished from zoos and circuses. I know you and all Born Free supporters will share my joy that this is now a glorious reality. Pangea will give Julie the most loving of forever homes, and the chance to make new friends. With your ongoing support, we hope that Kariba will be able to join Julie in a matter of months.”

For now, the sanctuary remains closed to visitors, giving Julie and future residents the space and quiet they need to settle.

To support Julie’s ongoing care at Pangea, and help bring Kariba to join her and provide the companionship they both deserve, please consider a donation to Born Free’s Pangea fundraising appeal.