Elephants to Live at New Sanctuary in Portugal

Why this is here: African female elephants in captivity live an average of 17 years, while those in the wild typically live 56 years—excluding deaths caused by humans.

Pangea charity will move two African elephants, Kariba and Julie, to a sanctuary in the Alentejo region of Portugal. Kariba lived alone in a Belgian zoo, while Julie performed with the Cardinali circus since 1988. The sanctuary, Europe’s first large-scale facility for elephants, spans 70 acres and aims to provide the animals with autonomy and expert care.

The project began ten years ago, restoring a former cattle ranch to create a natural habitat where the elephants can roam freely. Currently, roughly 600 elephants live in captivity across Europe, with 36 in solitary confinement. Captive African female elephants average a lifespan of 17 years, significantly less than their 56-year average in the wild.

Pangea plans to expand the sanctuary to 1,000 acres, potentially supporting 20 to 30 elephants. Researchers will observe how the elephants interact with the land and contribute to ecosystem restoration. The charity continues fundraising to fully realize the sanctuary’s potential.