Portugal’s last circus elephant gets ready for new life
Julie the elephant is undergoing the final preparations for her move to Pangea Elephant Sanctuary.
Sanctuary Manager Ryan meets Julie (c) Pangea
Preparations for Julie’s momentous move to Born Free-supported elephant sanctuary, Pangea, are underway. In the weeks since the agreement with her owner was reached to relocate her, the Pangea team has been visiting regularly – getting to know her and carrying out the health checks she needs before she can travel.
Julie’s owner, Victor Hugo Cardinali, has been welcoming and talked the team through her current diet and care. Pangea’s Sanctuary Manager, Ryan Hockley, has been introduced to Julie’s caretaker and has agreed a visit schedule in the run-up to her move, to spend time with Julie and get to know her.
Pangea’s vet, Dr Graça Oliveira, was also there to carry out the health tests the authorities require before Julie can be cleared to travel. Dr Graça had previously treated Julie’s companion, Samba, so she was already a familiar face to both Julie and Victor Hugo.
Julie the elephant (c) Pangea
Julie has been with the circus since 1988, shortly after she arrived in Portugal from southern Africa as a young calf. The Cardinali family’s knowledge of her behaviour, preferences, and routines remains an important part of the transition process, and we’re grateful for their commitment to making Julie’s move as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Now in her mid-40s, Julie has some health considerations to manage. Like many elephants of her age and history, she has some joint and mobility challenges, and this is exactly where sanctuary life can help: room to roam, a varied natural landscape to explore, gentle daily movement, and, in time, the company of other elephants. She has lived alone since Samba died in 2024, and companionship of her own kind is one of the things we most look forward to giving her.
To find out more about Pangea, and Julie’s future companion Kariba, visit our Pangea appeal page, where you can also donate to help give Julie and Kariba the forever home they deserve.