Get ready for some heartwarming news! 🌟 Julie, the very last circus elephant in Portugal, is officially hanging up her performance costume and heading for a well-deserved retirement. After decades under the big top, Julie is moving to a place where her only "job" will be chilling with her new besties.
Coming up next month in June, Julie will make the move to the Pangea Trust sanctuary in Alentejo, southern Portugal. She won't be alone, though! She'll be joining Kariba, another elephant from a Belgian zoo, in what is basically a luxury retirement village for pachyderms. 🌿
So, why the big move? Well, the vibes are shifting across Europe. Since 2024, when Portugal joined several other nations in banning performing animals, the era of circus elephants is coming to an end. It's all about animal welfare and making sure these majestic creatures can live naturally. 🌍❤️
Kate Moore, the Managing Director of Pangea, shared that while there are over 600 elephants in European circuses and zoos, their 400-hectare sanctuary can only host up to 30. Because elephants are super social animals, Julie and Kariba are top priorities to ensure they have companionship and a supportive community. 🐘💬
It hasn't been an easy goodbye for everyone. Victor Hugo Cardinali, the circus director who has known Julie since 1988, described her as a member of the family. However, he knows that transitioning to Pangea is the absolute best move for her happiness and health.
We're sending all the love to Julie as she starts her new chapter in the sunny south of Portugal! ☀️✨
Reference(s):
Portugal's last circus elephant leads the way to retirement retreat
cgtn.com
