Portugal's last circus elephant has gained about 100 kilograms
Euronews reported that Julie, the first resident of a 400-hectare sanctuary, can roam at all hours. A second elephant from Belgium is still waiting on treatment before she can travel.
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Julie, described as Portugal's last circus elephant, has gained about 100 kilograms in a little more than three months at a sanctuary in the Alentejo. Euronews reported on November 10, 2026, that she is the first resident of a 400-hectare estate, called the first elephant sanctuary of this scale in Europe. She moved there in June after a voluntary agreement with the Victor Hugo Cardinali circus. Manager Ryan Hockley said she now has access at all hours and chooses where to go, including mud pools. Keeper Johnny Nascimento said she was shy for about a week, then began using the trails.
Julie was captured in Africa about 40 years ago and joined the circus in 1988. Portugal banned wild animals in circuses in 2018, and the law took effect in 2024. Euronews said more than 600 elephants are in captivity in Europe, and that this site's planned capacity is 20 to 30. A second African elephant, Kariba, from a circus in Belgium, was delayed by infections and is expected once she can travel safely. The sanctuary is closed to visitors while Julie settles. The news is her weight and her range of movement. It is not a release into the wild.
For the classroom
Euronews reported on November 10, 2026, that an elephant named Julie is settling into a sanctuary in the Alentejo, in southern Portugal. She is the first resident of a 400-hectare estate. She moved there in June from a circus. In a little more than three months she gained about 100 kilograms, and she can choose where to walk at any hour. She was shy for about a week, then started using the trails. She was captured in Africa about 40 years ago and joined the circus in 1988. Another elephant is expected from Belgium once she is well enough to travel. Visitors are not allowed in yet.
- Why would gaining weight be a good sign for an elephant that used to stay in a shed?
- Why keep visitors away while an animal is learning a new place?
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