L’Alentejo (Portogallo) è destinato a diventare la sede del primo grande santuario degli elefanti d’Europa.

The project, currently taking shape in the municipalities of Vila Viçosa and Alandroal, aims to provide lifelong care for elephants rescued and rehabilitated from zoos and circuses across Europe. The first animals are expected to arrive within the first three months of 2026.

Europe’s first large-scale sanctuary for elephants that have lived in captivity is taking shape in the municipalities of Vila Viçosa and Alandroal, with the first animals expected to arrive in early 2026, the project promoters announced this Thursday.

Developed by the non-profit organisation Pangea, registered in both the United Kingdom and Portugal, the project is being formally presented this Thursday afternoon in Vila Viçosa.

The municipal councils of Alandroal and Vila Viçosa, both located in the district of Évora, are partners in the initiative, which is supported by the Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary Affairs (DGAV) and the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF).

Speaking to the Lusa news agency, Kate Moore, Pangea’s executive director, explained that the organisation purchased a 402-hectare site in 2023 to establish the sanctuary and has since been preparing the land to welcome the first elephants.

Construction began **around two months ago**, with the building of *the first barn and the first enclosure*, and these works *could be completed by December*, revealed the executive director. She added that the organisation expects to *receive the first elephants at the beginning of 2026, between January and March*.

Considered a *“pioneering project”* by Pangea, the initiative aims to offer *lifelong care to elephants rescued and rehabilitated from zoos and circuses across Europe*, and expects to host *between 20 and 30 animals*, according to Kate Moore.

“We will carry out extensive research on how much space elephants need and on what works best. We will continuously assess those numbers,” she said.

In a statement, Pangea explained that the project seeks to create a natural space for *elephants in vulnerable situations*, allowing them to *move freely, forage, and socialise—just as they would in their natural habitat.*

I’m sure we have the biodiversity to sustain them…