Portugal's Last Circus Tiger Finds Sanctuary at Big Cat Rescue Centre in Alicante

A Lifetime in a Truck

Sona, a 16-year-old tiger believed to be the last wild animal still living in a Portuguese circus, has arrived at the AAP Primadomus Foundation in Villena, near Alicante — one of southern Europe's largest sanctuaries for big cats and primates, currently caring for 94 rescued animals.

From the age of three months, Sona was used in magic shows and displayed as an attraction, spending most of his life confined to a truck trailer with a small external cage. The physical toll has been significant:

• Front paws declawed — permanently affecting movement
• Severe cataracts
• Missing canine tooth removed due to infection
• Weakened hip and leg muscles from limited movement
• Paw sores from years on hard surfaces

Seven Years of Campaigning

The AAP Foundation and Pangea Trust had been monitoring Sona's situation since 2018, but had to wait until Portugal's ban on wild animals in circuses came into force in July 2025 before his owners agreed to hand him over.

Walking on Natural Ground for the First Time

Sona will spend time in quarantine for veterinary assessments. Once cleared, he'll do something he's never done in 16 years: walk on natural ground for the very first time.

Pushing for an EU-Wide Ban

Although Spain banned wild animals in circuses in 2023, plenty of other European countries still permit them. Olga Martín, head of public policy at AAP Spain, said the foundation is pushing for a ban across all 27 EU member states.

This article is based on reporting from Alicante Today, published April 15, 2026. This article is for informational purposes only.