This weekend, our founding partners came together at Pangea for the first time, making this a good moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and what their support has made possible. 

Discussions started over a decade ago. By the early 2010s, a growing body of research was highlighting the physical and psychological challenges facing elephants in captivity . European zoos were taking stock and initiatives to improve welfare were being introduced, but a number of zoos were considering an alternative future for their elephants.  More countries across the continent were also banning the use of wild animals circus performances.

Places could often be found for the big cats and primates but, despite the opening of a sanctuary in France, there was still a lack of space for zoos, governments and circuses looking for a solution for elephants.  Large-scale sanctuaries existed in North America and Brazil, and it was clear that a similar facility was needed in Europe.

The earliest discussions about the initiative started with the Born Free Foundation and Olsen Animal Trust. They helped shape early ideas, fund feasibility work, and draw on lessons from established US sanctuaries that have operated since the mid-1990s. When Pangea was established as an independent NGO in 2017, both organisations joined as our first members, making an initial five-year commitment to support the work. Fondation Brigitte Bardot joined in 2020, followed by World Animal Protection in 2024.

These partners underwrite Pangea’s core operations, which means that public fundraising can focus on the rehoming and lifelong care costs along with the specialist infrastructure that enables that care. Their support has allowed us to plan carefully and take one step at a time, from land search and acquisition through to government engagement, licencing, and construction.

So, we’d like to say thank you to the many supporters of Born Free, Fondation Brigitte Bardot, Olsen Animal Trust and World Animal Protection whose generosity has helped bring us to this point.  We look forward to taking you all on a journey as we welcome our first elephants.