Standard Health Checks for Travel

Preparations for Julie’s move to Pangea are underway. In the weeks since the agreement was reached to relocate her, our team has been visiting regularly — getting to know her and carrying out the health checks she needs before she can travel. 

Julie’s owner, Victor Hugo Cardinali, was very welcoming and talked us through her current diet and care. He introduced us to Julie’s caretaker and agreed to the visit schedule in the run-up to her move, so that our Sanctuary Manager, Ryan, can spend time with Julie and get to know her. 

Our vet, Dr Graça Oliveira, was also there to carry out health tests the authorities require before Julie can be cleared to travel. Dr Graça had previously treated Julie’s companion, Samba, so she was already a familiar face to both Julie and Victor Hugo. 

Julie has been with the circus since 1988, shortly after she arrived in Portugal from southern Africa as a young calf.  The Cardinali family’s knowledge of her behaviour, preferences, and routines remains an important part of the transition process, and we’re grateful for their commitment to making Julie’s move as smooth and stress-free as possible. 

Now in her 40s, Julie has some health considerations to manage. Like many elephants of her age and history, she has some joint and mobility challenges, and this is exactly where sanctuary life can help: room to roam, a varied natural landscape to explore, gentle daily movement, and, in time, the company of other elephants. She has lived alone since Samba died in 2024, and companionship of her own kind is one of the things we most look forward to giving her.

A big thank you to our supporters who have helped make Julie’s move possible. We’ll keep you posted on her progress, and if you’d like to be a part of the journey and help us fund her care, you can read more about Julie here: