Two Captive Elephants to Move to Europe's First Large-Scale Sanctuary
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Kariba, an elephant living alone in a Belgian zoo, and Julie, a circus elephant in Portugal, will be relocated next month to a new sanctuary in Portugal. The sanctuary, developed over ten years by the charity Pangea, aims to provide a more natural environment. This move aligns with Portugal's legislation banning wild animals in circuses.
Facts First
- Kariba and Julie will move to a sanctuary in Portugal's Alentejo region next month.
- The sanctuary is Europe's first large-scale elephant sanctuary, developed over ten years by Pangea.
- Portugal has banned wild animals in circuses, with Julie's transfer being a voluntary agreement under this law.
- The sanctuary starts at 70 acres with plans to expand to approximately 1,000 acres.
- Approximately 600 elephants remain in captivity across Europe, with 36 in solitary confinement in zoos.
What Happened
Kariba, an African elephant in her 40s who has lived alone in a Belgian zoo for years, and Julie, an African elephant in her 40s who has been with the Cardinali circus in Portugal since 1988, will move next month to a sanctuary run by the charity Pangea. The sanctuary is located in the Alentejo region of Portugal, approximately 124 miles (200 kilometers) east of Lisbon. Julie was rehomed through a voluntary agreement between Pangea and the Cardinali family, aligning with Portuguese legislation that bans wild animals in circuses, a law coming into full effect in 2025.
Why this Matters to You
This move could represent a shift towards better welfare for captive elephants in Europe. The sanctuary, built on a former cattle ranch that conservation workers have been restoring, aims to provide a more natural and expansive environment. For elephants like Kariba, who has lived in solitary confinement, and Julie, who has performed in a circus, the sanctuary may offer improved social and physical conditions. The sanctuary will not be open to the public, focusing solely on animal care.
What's Next
The Pangea sanctuary currently starts at 70 acres (28 hectares) with plans to expand to approximately 1,000 acres (405 hectares). At that size, the sanctuary could potentially support 20 to 30 elephants. Pangea is using rewilding principles to restore the land. The sanctuary's development... may serve as a model for future elephant care in Europe, where approximately 600 elephants remain in captivity.