Portugal’s last circus elephant to begin new chapter at Pangea

Julie the elephant (c) Circo Victor Hugo Cardinali

Born Free is excited to share some fantastic news with our supporters, who are playing such an important role in Pangea’s creation, development and imminent opening. 

Pangea, Europe’s first large-scale elephant sanctuary, has been working to relocate Kariba, a female African elephant currently living alone in a zoo in Belgium, to a permanent home among the rich meadows and grasslands of the sanctuary. Born Free’s supporters have played a vital role in making this possible, generously contributing to help bring her to Pangea. 

The good news is that Kariba will not be alone at Pangea for long. Circo Víctor Hugo Cardinali and the Pangea Trust are today jointly announcing the relocation of Julie, Portugal’s last circus elephant, to Pangea’s sanctuary in the Alentejo, southern Portugal. The agreement has been reached voluntarily, in a spirit of shared commitment to Julie’s welfare. Elephants are highly complex, social animals, and companionship with their own kind is a fundamental need. 

Julie arrived in Portugal from southern Africa as a young calf and joined the Cardinali circus in 1988. She was retired from performance in 2024 when Portugal’s ban on the use of wild animals in circuses came fully into effect, and her last remaining companion died that same year. As the Cardinali family considered options for Julie’s future, Pangea was in a position to offer her a permanent home. 

Pangea’s purpose-built sanctuary is dedicated to providing elephants like Julie with the space, environment and companionship they require to fulfil their basic needs. Resident elephants will also be cared for by a specialist team with the expertise to support her health and well-being in their final years. 

The Cardinali family will remain closely involved throughout the transition, drawing on their long knowledge of Julie’s character, habits and needs. Pangea’s veterinary team are carrying out the necessary health assessments and working with her current carers to prepare Julie for transfer. 

Kariba the elephant (c) Pangea

Will Travers, Executive President, Born Free Foundation said: “Julie’s move to Pangea is a deeply uplifting and significant moment, made possible through compassion, trust, and a shared commitment to do what is right for her. After years without the companionship of other elephants she deserves, the prospect of her beginning this new chapter, alongside Kariba, is truly special. Elephants are profoundly social, sentient beings, and the chance to explore, to choose how each day will unfold, and to connect with one another can transform their lives.

“What makes this moment so powerful is the spirit in which it has been achieved.  People coming together, across organisations and experiences, to secure the best possible future for individual animals. At Pangea, Julie and Kariba will have the opportunity to rediscover something essential: space, companionship, and, as far as possible, the dignity of living life on their own terms. It is a hopeful glimpse of a better future.”

Kate Moore, Pangea’s Managing Director said: “Many circuses and some zoos in Europe are reaching the point – through changing legislation, the loss of a companion, or simply a decision to move on – where keeping elephants is no longer possible or appropriate. Working in partnership with owners to find the right solution is central to how we operate, as it has been with the Cardinali family. Elephant relocations are complex, and their continued involvement is invaluable.”

Born Free Foundation, created by Dame Virginia McKenna, her late husband, Bill Travers, and their eldest son, Will, is a founding member of Pangea. It was Virginia’s original vision that Europe’s captive elephants needed the option of a transformative, life-changing Sanctuary. With your help, we are working together to raise funds for this life-changing project.