We are pleased to announce that our feasibility study is complete and that the search for land can now commence.

The study included a Europe-wide evaluation to identify the most suitable region for operations. Portugal was chosen from a shortlist of three countries, with variables under consideration including the Mediterranean climate* and associated habitat, availability of sizeable estates and political stability.

We also conducted a situational analysis of the captive elephant populations in Europe and the attitudinal trends of zoos, circuses and governments to qualify the need, and our operations model took into account those of other successful sanctuaries around the world.

* Within historic times, African and Asian elephants once lived at the southern and eastern margins of the Mediterranean.