The Last Circus Tiger in Portugal

Most EU states now prohibit the use of wild animals in circuses. Portugal’s ban came fully into force in 2025, but circuses and authorities have struggled to rehome some animals due to a lack of suitable options. Sona, a 16-year-old white tiger, was one of the last wild animals to be held in a circus in Portugal.

We came into contact with Sona’s owner, Márcio Freitas of Circo Arena, through our work with the circus industry. He had been looking to rehome Sona for some time and did not want to send him to a private collector or another circus.

Sona was the last circus tiger in Portugal until he was moved to a Spanish sanctuary in March 2026. 

“Sona has been in our family since he was a cub, and it was a hard decision to see him go, but we knew it was the best for him. We wanted him to have more space and specialised care in his later years. We were not happy with the options that had previously been presented, and we were grateful to Pangea for reaching out to help find a good solution.” 

— Márcio Freitas, Circo Arena 

We identified AAP Primadomus Sanctuary in Spain as a suitable new location, which is a rescue and rehabilitation centre recognized across Europe for their work with big cats rehomed from circuses and private collections. AAP kindly found space for Sona, with Pangea working alongside their team to provide veterinary oversight and support the permit process. Pangea partner, Olsen Animal Trust, also assisted in the process by contributing towards his future lifetime care. Sona was transported from Portugal to the sanctuary in Spain in March 2026.
 

Sona is now nearing the end of quarantine and will soon move into a spacious, natural enclosure designed for long-term care. Márcio plans to visit him once he has settled. Marcio’s openness and willingness to collaborate made a real difference, allowing all parties to focus on our shared goal, to find Sona the best possible long-term home in his final years.