Perth’s last two remaining elephants to be rehomed after the passing of Tricia last year. Pictured: Tricia and Permai. Image credit: Alex Cearns via Perth Zoo.
Monarto Safari Park has launched a plan to give the last two remaining elephants at Perth Zoo a new home.
Permai and Putra Mas are set to join Burma from Auckland at the safari park in Adelaide, South Australia.
Zoos South Australia has launched a fundraising campaign to establish a new elephant habitat.
They have the potential to create a facility for the three elephants with plans to eventually bring in an entire herd.
The move was first announced in 2018 and would see the large animal returning to zoos in South Australia for the first time in nearly 30 years.
It was made official in 2022 after the passing of Perth Zoo’s 65-year-old matriarch Tricia — one of the oldest Asian elephants in the world.
Zoo keepers have stated that female Permai has been “missing her best mate” since Tricia’s passing.
Perth Zoo manager, John Lemon, said the elephants needed to find a new “forever home” as their facility is too small to accommodate a herd and Permai needs to be with other females.
“Of course, we build these amazing relationships with elephants, but to see them go to their forever home and larger area, and they’ll be in a natural social structure, we’re excited.”
In a statement on their website, Perth Zoo said, “Creating a new herd in South Australia supports the long-term sustainability of the regional elephant conservation program.
“It will enable more people to experience elephants and learn about them, to support the vital work we do to protect the species and ensure they remain for future generations.”
Staff at the zoos are experts in moving elephants and are preparing for the large operation.
The three animals will begin conditioning to ready them for travel to South Australia.
The project is estimated to cost $6.5 million with the zoo needing about $2,025,000 from the public.
The fundraising deadline has been set for October 2023.
The elephants are expected to arrive in Adelaide by 2025 after the completion of their habitat.
