Monarto Safari Park is now home to four elephants and will eventually be welcoming a total of five by the end of the year.
Monarto Safari Park’s newest arrivals, Pak Boon and Tang Mo, arrived safely after a 22-hour, 1300km journey from Mosman in NSW. The female Asian Elephant pair are now resting and recuperating thanks to the mighty effort of a dedicated team of veterinarians and keeping staff from Taronga Zoo Sydney and Zoos SA.
Both Pak Boon and Tang Mo walked calmly out of their crates and into the elephant barn, where their keepers then helped settle them in with a bath.
The girls’ keepers, Elisha and Alexia from Taronga Zoo Sydney, will stay on for approximately six weeks to provide familiarity and consistency of care as they settle into their new home.
Chief Executive Zoos SA, Dr Phil Ainsley, said everyone at Zoos SA was thrilled to see Pak Boon and Tang Mo arrive in South Australia.
“This is a huge milestone for the Monarto Safari Park Asian Elephant program, with all four of the herd’s founding females now here on site,” he said.
“It’s an exciting time for our team now, to get to know Pak Boon and Tang Mo, to learn their personalities and see how the relationships across the herd develop.
“The dedicated elephant keepers from Monarto Safari Park and Taronga Zoo Sydney will work with all four elephants, reading their signs, signals, behaviours and mannerisms, to know when they are ready to slowly begin introductions to their new herd-mates.”
Over the next few days, 32-year-old Pak Boon and 26-year-old Tang Mo will have the chance to settle into the elephant barn and their attached extended yards, where visitors may catch a glimpse of the new arrivals when they are outside.
As always, Zoos SA is working with the elephants on their time, and Monarto Safari Park Manager of Elephants, Andrew Coers, said the team will work with Pak Boon and Tang Mo to know when they are ready to be introduced to their new herd-mates, Burma and Permai.
“It’s a long journey for both girls, so we want to give the space and time that they need to recover but also to adapt to the new sights, sounds, and smells of Monarto,” he said.
“Both Pak Boon and Tang Mo unloaded really well, it was lovely to see them reunite and display really positive behaviours as they settled in.
“Shortly after entering the barn, the girls were using their trunks to dust bath and both have been eating, drinking and sleeping which is very encouraging.
“Burma and Permai were very curious to see what was going on, and we saw the right signs from both, as well as from Pak Boon and Tang Mo, that they were keen to make that first initial introduction.
“They displayed curiosity and gentle behaviours towards each other, which is a great first step towards further interactions in the future.
“Bringing the four elephant cows together will be very interesting and exciting to see. Elephants are incredibly intelligent, and each animal has a unique personality.
“We look forward to experiencing the mix of personalities and seeing new bonds form.”
Zoos SA have been working closely with PIRSA and the Department of Health to ensure all routine regulations and biosecurity requirements are met, and similarly to most inter-organisational animal transfers, Pak Boon and Tang Mo will now complete a mandatory quarantine period.
This period, which may be up to three months, will also allow the girls sufficient time to settle in, acclimatise, and get to know each other as a larger, social elephant group.
During this time, all four cows will be together in the elephant barn, however Burma and Permai will still have access to the cloverleaf habitat and will be able to be seen by visitors from the Zu-loop bus and walking tracks. Pak Boon and Tang Mo will have access to outdoor yards and lucky visitors may be able to see them on occasion as the bus drives through the elephant precinct.
Once the girls show signs and behaviours that they are comfortable and happy, the expert elephant team will look to bring them together as a herd.
Pak Boon and Tang Mo’s arrival sees the completion of the female cohort for the founding herd at Monarto Safari Park’s expansive 12-hectare habitat.
The cows will be joined by male, 35-year-old Putra Mas from Perth Zoo, later this year.
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November 2024: Asian Elephant, Burma arrived at Monarto Safari Park after a giant journey from Auckland Zoo.
January 2025: Permai settles into Monarto Safari Park after a 40-hour, 2700km journey across the Nullarbor from Perth (with plenty of peanut butter sandwiches along the way!).
Monarto’s newest arrival from Perth Zoo is now settling into the elephant barn and exploring her new habitat. Permai has been introduced to Burma after both elephants showed signs they were interested in interacting. While Burma was a little shy at first, they came together to say hello with gentle trunk touches through the mesh —a heart-warming moment!
Both elephants displayed curiosity and calm behaviours toward each other, a great first step toward building their bond for future interactions. Stay tuned for updates on when Permai will be ready to meet visitors in person!
Burma (42 years old), is the first elephant to arrive at the park’s new world-class 12 hectare elephant habitat, and female Permai is 33 years old. They will be joined over the coming year by three other elephants: male Putra Mas (33) from Perth Zoo, and females Pak Boon (31) and Tang Mo (25) from Taronga Zoo Sydney.
In 2023, Zoos SA put the call out to raise funds for bringing Asian Elephants to Monarto Safari Park. Together, the five Asian Elephants will form a founding herd as part of the Australasian Zoo and Aquarium Association’s (ZAA) regional breeding and advocacy programme for Asian Elephants – an endangered species with a continuing declining wild population due to habitat loss/fragmentation, and human-elephant conflict.
Managed by the Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA), this program enables zoos to educate and inspire visitors, contribute to the conservation of wild elephants, ensure the best genetic outcomes with breeding, and work together to provide the best possible care for all elephants in the region.
Works continue at Monarto Safari Park, where there is still more to be done to prepare for the arrival of the other elephants throughout 2025, plus the additional visitor viewing areas and walking tracks that are being developed.
As is a standard requirement for all international zoo-to-zoo transfers, Burma will be in quarantine at Monarto Safari Park for her first few weeks, where she’ll have the support, familiar company and expert care of her elephant keepers who are travelling with her from New Zealand.
Working alongside their Monarto Safari Park colleagues, three Auckland Zoo elephant team members will stay on with Burma for as long as required to provide her with the familiar, reassuring company and continuity of care that will help her to fully settle into her new environment, and meet and integrate with her new elephant family.
Monarto Safari Park is open seven days a week, from 9:30am to 5:00pm. With demand expected to significantly increase upon Burma’s arrival, and daily park capacity limited to ensure the best visitor experience, non-members will need to reserve their tickets online to avoid disappointment.
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April 2024 Update: Monarto Safari Park is trumpeting with excitement as they announce TWO MORE Asian Elephants are set to join the herd.
Pak Boon and Tang Mo from Taronga Zoo Sydney are packing up their trunks and following in the footsteps of Burma, Permai and Putra Mas. Taronga Zoo Sydney is keen for the pair to become part of Monarto Safari Park’s new social herd, recognising that the large open range nature of the habitat and the significant increase in size is a welcome addition for the much-loved pair.
“It’s really exciting to know that Pak Boon and Tang Mo will be coming to Monarto Safari Park in mid-2025,” said Elaine Bensted, CE of Zoos SA.
“We look forward to welcoming the two elephants and sharing the conservation story for the endangered Asian Elephants.
“We can’t wait to watch as Pak Boon and Tang Mo settle in alongside Burma, Permai and Putra Mas at Monarto Safari Park, with the two females joining the herd, just as they would in the wild.
“The most important thing is to get all the elephants safely to their new home in South Australia and that they settle and start to benefit from being in a social herd,” finished Elaine.
BE PART OF HISTORY (2023)
Monarto Safari Park’s campaign in 2023 to raise $2.025 million to bring the first three Asian Elephants to Monarto Safari Park was realised in just 28 days. Zoos SA called on South Aussies and all elephant lovers to help raise funds to home Asian Elephants at Monarto Safari Park as they revealed plans to build an amazing habitat for (initially) three Asian elephants.
Three elephants from Perth and Auckland zoos will become founders of a South Australian herd where they can socialise and roam at the largest open-range safari in the region. In collaboration with the two Australasian zoos, Monarto Safari Park’s new habitat will give initially the three Asian elephants a ‘forever home’ that meets their complex social structure needs.
Meet the first 3 Elephants
Meet Burma, Permai and Putra Mas; three much-loved Asian Elephants. With female elephant Permai described as ‘cheeky and mischievous’, Burma described as ‘playful and a gentle giant’ and bull Putra Mas as ‘living up to his name’s meaning of golden prince and known for trumpeting loudly when happy’, the plans mean there’s much to wrap one’s trunk around!
“There are three elephants currently at Auckland Zoo and Perth Zoo that need a new home that reflects their longer-term needs to be living with other elephants. Monarto Safari Park can offer this and more. We’ve been working really closely with our counterparts at the zoos and others within the Asian Elephant regional breeding program to make the magic happen. There’s just one thing in the way of our vision – we need to raise $2.025 million and fast! And that’s why I’m hoping that the community will get behind our fundraising and donate to bring them to South Australia.” said Zoos SA CE, Elaine Bensted.
“As a conservation charity, we want to work with fellow accredited zoos to provide the best home for the elephants where they can live with other animals as part of a herd structure. The prospect of having elephants at Monarto Safari Park is not only exciting, it’s the right thing to do for these elephants.
“While many believe that we are Government-run, we are not. We are a private conservation charity and so to make this happen we need to fundraise and we are hoping that the local and wider community will get behind us and the gorgeous elephants. Not only is it a huge amount to raise there’s also limited time with an imminent deadline as ultimately these elephants need new homes whether it’s with us or elsewhere.
“The elephants come first. There’s no doubt about that. Both Perth and Auckland zoos have been very open about the elephants needing to find ‘forever homes’ that meet the elephants’ long-term needs.
“South Australia has a long-standing history of having elephants at Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park.
“When I first heard how excited our Zoo partners were about the possibility of Monarto Safari Park being able to provide a ‘forever home’ for Burma, Permai and Putra Mas I reflected on the fact that during Adelaide Zoo’s 140th birthday celebration in May so many people approached me and recollected their memories of elephants at Adelaide Zoo.
“The community remembers fondly the time when Samorn was at Adelaide Zoo and later moved to Monarto Safari Park. As a child I remember the feeling of awe seeing her. Of course, animal welfare and how we care for animals such as elephants has moved on. But the magic and emotion that these enormous yet gentle and intelligent creatures bring out in us all is still very much alive. That’s why we are hoping the community will want to see the three elephants at Monarto Safari Park and get behind our fundraising,” finished Elaine.
Within Australia, the Asian Elephant regional breeding program has experienced immense success, with eight calves born since 2000, and three calves born in the last 12 months alone.
The establishment of a new herd in South Australia will increase capacity within the region, making room for more animals to be born into safe habitats with socially appropriate herd structures.
The new move would also potentially provide an excellent long-term outcome for Burma, Permai and Putra Mas by providing them with a suitable social structure that is closer to what they would have in the wild.
It’s estimated there are less than 52,000 Asian Elephants remaining in the wild, with the world losing 50% of Asian Elephants in the last 3 generations. This makes regionally coordinated conservation programs more critical than ever.
Asian Elephants deserve to be saved from extinction. With Asian Elephants continuing to face threats in the wild, a long-term collaborative commitment to the species is crucial to ensuring the species remains for generations to come.
Increasing the capacity for the breeding program enables more people in Australia to learn about elephants and support the vital conservation work.
“This is a mammoth day in history for Asian Elephant conservation,” said Claire Wright, Acting Executive Director of Perth Zoo.
“We know the Western Australian community cares deeply about Permai and Putra Mas, and we are ecstatic to have found the perfect forever home for them.
“While the staff at Perth Zoo have always provided exemplary love and care to the two elephants, we have been very open that the pair’s social needs come first.
“Perth Zoo’s animal experts have been meticulously exploring all options for both elephants, and we are thrilled that Zoos SA is keen to create a third regional herd.
“A social herd structure is absolutely critical for Permai’s wellbeing and we look forward to seeing her potentially finding a new friendship with Auckland Zoo’s Burma.”
“We are very, very excited about the possibility of Monarto Safari Park developing this new habitat for the regional elephant programme and really hope that this fundraising effort is successful so that it can become a reality,” said Kevin Buley, director of Auckland Zoo.
“Although Burma continues to do well at Auckland Zoo, in the longer-term we know that she needs to be with other elephants and a new herd at Monarto Safari park would be a brilliant option for her future forever home.”
Zoos SA’s giant fundraising plans will include a fun run and World Elephant Day celebrations as well as seeking support from local businesses and partners.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE
If you haven’t donated yet, there’s still time to be part of history. All donations received will still go towards the Asian Elephant project and contribute to things like food for the elephants.
Zoos SA is a conservation charity. Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.
Meet The Herd
About Putra Mas And Permai
Putra Mas and Permai arrived at Perth Zoo at around three-years-old in 1992. Living in a small herd with matriarch Tricia (who passed in 2022) and elephant Teduh (who passed in 2007), the elephants quickly developed strong friendships with their keepers, and their big personalities captured the hearts of the Perth community.
Permai (pictured above) is best known for her mischievous and cheeky personality – she loves to be the centre of attention and she’s known among keepers as a bit of a rascal.
But through the cheekiness, she’s an incredibly loyal and affectionate elephant who loves companionship. She’s also an active gardener and likes to ‘help’ the horticulture team with tree pruning wherever she can – even though they don’t ask for it!
After the loss of matriarch Tricia in 2022, Permai felt deep grief. She leaned heavily on the company of her dedicated keepers, and while she’s regained her spark, she still misses her old elephant friend and the company of other females.
Now, Permai remains the only female elephant at Perth Zoo and she desperately needs a forever home with an elephant herd.
Putra Mas translates to ‘golden prince’ and he’s certainly earned his namesake! He is as smart as he is cheeky, and he’s quick to vocalise and trumpet away when he’s happy, as in the photo above!
Putra Mas has grown into an incredibly strong and remarkably intelligent bull elephant. In fact, his intelligence continues to blow keepers away!
While working with him from a safe distance, keepers say Putra Mas is able to understand new training programs very quickly and with ease. It’s incredible to watch him understand his keepers and play games with them like soccer and relay races.
Putra Mas has also played an important role in the species’ regional breeding program, introducing new and valuable genetics into the pool. In 2018, he sired a calf through artificial insemination, a female born in NSW.
While male elephants are solitary in the wild, Putra Mas needs more space than Perth Zoo’s inner-city site can provide.
Burma was born in 1982 in Myanmar (formerly Burma) where she spent her early years at a logging camp. She came to Auckland Zoo in 1990 at eight years old.
Now 40 years old, Burma has matured into a lovely gentle elephant – still very energetic and playful, but slightly less mischievous!
Auckland Zoo’s older female elephant Kashin became her constant companion until she passed away in 2009.
Asian elephant Anjalee arrived in 2015 (aged eight) before moving to Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Australia in March 2022. The two elephants enjoyed a friendship and each other’s company.
Tang Mo, translating to ‘Watermelon’ in Thai, is a highly intelligent elephant and is always up for an enrichment challenge and training session. She has a strong bond with the elephant keepers, usually giving a high-pitched chirp when they arrive each morning to start the day.
Pak Boon, meaning ‘Morning Glory Flower’ in Thai, is strong-willed, determined, energetic and enjoys her daily baths with keepers.
To donate and find out more go to: elephants.monartosafari.com.au
For more information and all enquiries please visit the Monarto Safari Park website.
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
Image Source: all images supplied by Zoos SA
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