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Episode details

World Service,18 Jul 2026,27 mins

The Happy Pod: Portugal’s last circus elephant rehomed

Global News Podcast

Available for 363 days

For 40 years, an elephant named Julie performed as part of the Victor Hugo Cardinali circus in Portugal. But after a law change banning wild animals for entertainment, Julie has now been given a new life in a dedicated sanctuary. She is the first elephant to begin her retirement at the 400-hectare site in Alentejo in southern Portugal, run by the UK-based charity Pangea Trust. Staff say Julie has adjusted very well to her new home, and is enjoying splashing around in the mud. Also: A mysterious monkey with orange lips discovered deep in the forests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is confirmed as a new species. A look back at the heartwarming moments of the FIFA World Cup that resonated with both fans and those not so keen on football. We meet Kenya's ''Eco Mammas'', a group of women leading vital marine conservation efforts. Plus the teenage pianist Freya Terris who made history by passing a highly technical piano exam using only her left hand. Presenter: Chantal Hartle Music: Iona Hampson (Photo:Julie the African elephant arrives at Pangea elephant sanctuary in Portugal. Credit: Pangea Elephant Sanctuary)

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