Pangea Trust is transforming a thousand-acre estate in Alentejo into Europe's first large-scale elephant sanctuary. The project provides a naturalistic habitat where elephants from zoos and circuses can roam freely alongside native Portuguese wildlife.
Pangea Trust is a pioneering conservation organisation dedicated to creating Europe's first large-scale elephant sanctuary in the heart of Alentejo, Portugal, near Alandroal. Registered in 2017 with the UK Charity Commission (no. 1177137) and Companies House (no. 10893190), Pangea is transforming a vast thousand-acre estate into a comprehensive refuge where elephants can experience freedom, companionship, and a naturalistic environment.
The sanctuary addresses a critical gap in European elephant welfare by providing an ethical rehoming option for zoos and circuses seeking responsible solutions for their animals. A landmark milestone is the announced relocation of Julie, Portugal's last circus elephant, to Pangea — the result of a rare cooperation between Circo Vítor Hugo Cardinali, the Portuguese state, and Pangea Trust.
The reserve spans several hundred hectares of natural Mediterranean habitat, allowing resident elephants to forage through diverse vegetation, walk freely for kilometres each day, and choose how they spend their time and with whom. The warm climate enables elephants to remain outdoors for the vast majority of the year, closely mirroring conditions found in their native range.
Beyond elephant welfare, Pangea has a dual mission of ecological restoration. The organisation has joined forces with Rewilding Portugal, deepening its commitment to large-scale ecosystem recovery in Alentejo and supporting the recovery of native Portuguese wildlife alongside the elephant population.
Currently in active development, Pangea has completed Phase One of construction and is preparing infrastructure for the arrival of its first elephants. Emergency campaigns, such as securing a permanent home for Kariba, highlight the organisation's responsiveness to urgent elephant welfare needs while building long-term, sustainable sanctuary infrastructure.
By combining sanctuary work with rewilding and native wildlife conservation at scale, Pangea Trust represents a holistic approach to environmental stewardship — benefiting captive elephants seeking retirement, native ecosystems, and the broader European conservation landscape.
Our Goal
Pangea Trust aims to create Europe's first large-scale elephant sanctuary on a thousand-acre estate in Alentejo, Portugal, providing a naturalistic and ethical refuge for elephants from zoos and circuses while simultaneously restoring native ecosystems through rewilding.
Our Wishes
Pangea Trust welcomes community support, partnerships with governments, zoos, and circuses, as well as donations and volunteers to help complete sanctuary infrastructure and fund ongoing elephant welfare and ecological restoration efforts.
