Barn Construction Update

The Importance of a Barn

Construction on our first elephant barn is moving ahead quickly and work on the adjoining habitat is progressing well. At Pangea, elephants will spend the vast majority of their time outdoors, roaming across large natural spaces with freedom of movement. However, they will also receive expert daily care and veterinary treatment when needed. The barn provides a secure and comfortable space for this, from routine health checks and training sessions to refuge on chilly nights or in emergencies.

The barn that was originally acquired with the land needs to be renovated to house elephants.

Expert Guidance and Engineering

The facilities have been designed with input from some of the world’s foremost elephant experts and sanctuaries, and in particular Scott Blais of Global Sanctuary for Elephants (GSE) in Brazil. Safety and security are paramount, both for the elephants and the humans who care for them. Pangea follows the Protected Contact method used in the world’s leading sanctuaries, meaning there is always a physical barrier between elephant and human. This ensures that all interactions are based on trust and cooperation, never force.

The barn will include five internal stalls, allowing flexible management for three to five elephants, depending on compatibility and individual needs. The structure is anchored by heavy-gauge steel uprights set 3 m above ground and 1 m below, providing exceptional stability. Perimeter safety will rely on a hybrid post-and-rail system with horizontal steel rails and tensioned cables engineered to withstand impacts up to 20 tonnes. Fencing will stand 3 m above ground and sunk a further 1.5 m below, ensuring long-term strength and resilience. It’s an impressive piece of engineering that reflects the care and professionalism behind every detail of Pangea’s construction.

Construction on the interior of the barn is on track to be completed by the end of the year.

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These designs have been brought to life by local engineers at Metal Viçosa. The company is renowned for their precision steelwork, whose projects include major international contracts for industry leaders in the energy and transport sectors.

“Building for elephants is very different from other projects. Every element must withstand tremendous force, last for decades, and keep both the animals and caretakers safe. It has pushed us to think creatively and work hard to find the right solutions. Partnering with Pangea has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career,” said António Jardim Jr., owner of Metal Viçosa.

The Metal Viçosa team have, in truth, become part of Team Pangea. A special thank-you to António Jardim Jr. and António Jardim Sr., who have gone above and beyond just fabrication and installation. They have also in opened doors locally, solved problems at short notice, and worked around the clock when deadlines demand it. Having partners like the Jardims who are skilled, solutions-focused, and unfailingly supportive has made all the difference.