Sawt Falasteen - Portugal's last circus elephant becomes pioneer for European exiles

Julie, who joined the Victor Hugo Cardinali circus in 1988, will follow Kariba, who has been based at a Belgian zoo, in moving to the British-run Pangea Trust sanctuary in Alentejo, southern Portugal, in June.

Julie, who is aged about 40 and came originally from southern Africa, had not been part of the circus show since 2024, when Portugal joined a host of countries who have banned performing animals.

According to Pangea managing director Kate Moore, there are more than 600 elephants in circuses and zoos across Europe. And many may need a new home but the 400 hectare (1,000 acre) sanctuary can take a maximum of 30.

"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," said Moore.

"We can only take a small number of the 600 elephants but elephants like Julie and Kariba would be priority because elephants are really social animals and it's not good for them to be kept on their own," she told AFP.

"They need companionship and we want to bring them together."

Circus director Victor Hugo Cardinali said he would be closely involved in Julie's move.

"This has not been an easy decision, as she has been a member of our family for decades, but we believe it is the right decision for Julie. Working with Pangea on her transition to her new home was a critical factor in our deliberations," Cardinali said.

E.Aziz--SF-PST