Portugal's Last Circus Elephant Julie Retires to New Sanctuary

Julie, Portugal's last circus elephant, has become the first resident of Pangea Trust, a new elephant sanctuary in Alentejo, Portugal. The retirement follows Portugal's 2018 ban on wild animals in circuses, which took full effect in 2024. Julie performed with Circo Víctor Hugo Cardinali for nearly four decades after arriving from southern Africa as a calf. Circus director Víctor Hugo Cardinali, who considered Julie family, collaborated with Pangea to ensure a smooth transition, sharing knowledge of her character and habits. Pangea's managing director Kate Moore emphasized the importance of partnerships with owners for successful relocations. At the sanctuary, Julie is monitored by veterinary specialists and will soon be joined by another female African elephant, Kariba, from a zoo in Belgium. Julie has already engaged in natural behaviors like mud wallowing, dust bathing, and using her tusks to dig for the first time.