Australian Asian Elephant Population 2025

[Zoofan15]

Another option is "if" Werribee does continue to be successful breeding them they may wish to spit a couple of females and young off from the rest of the herd to kick start a breeding herd at Monarto just like Dublin zoo did when they sent to adult cows and calfs to the US.

Definitely. Factoring in the less likely possibility of importing a pair (or trio) of related cows from Europe and there’s realistically four eventualities for Monarto:

If successful breeding occurs:

1. Build up a multigenerational herd around Pak Boon and her daughter/s.

If successful breeding does not occur, then after 2-3 decades:

2. Acquire a small number of related cows from Werribee Open Range Zoo if a surplus is available.

3. Transition of Monarto into a bachelor bull facility.

4. Import a small number of cows from Europe (a pre-existing matriline) with the goal of building up a multigenerational herd.

 

[Jambo]

Definitely. Factoring in the less likely possibility of importing a pair (or trio) of related cows from Europe and there’s realistically four eventualities for Monarto:

If successful breeding occurs:

1. Build up a multigenerational herd around Pak Boon and her daughter/s.

If successful breeding does not occur, then after 2-3 decades:

2. Acquire a small number of related cows from Werribee Open Range Zoo if a surplus is available.

3. Transition of Monarto into a bachelor bull facility.

4. Import a small number of cows from Europe (a pre-existing matriline) with the goal of building up a multigenerational herd.

I'd especially be a fan of Monarto transitioning into a bachelor facility eventually - the region will be in huge need of one in a few decades time when you account for the level of breeding that we can expect between the two current breeding facilities.

Both facilities can only accommodate a certain amount of bull surplus, and it's therefore likely that soon there'll be a point where additional facilities regionally will have to come on board to help out with the surplus bulls produced.

 

[Nile Hippo Expert]

Update: the two Taronga girls are doing well and they have been acquainted with Burma.

Monarto Safari Park elephant herd doubles in size

 

[BigTusker15]

Update: the two Taronga girls are doing well and they have been acquainted with Burma.

Monarto Safari Park elephant herd doubles in size

Will Anjalee eventually reunite with Burma & join the herd at Monarto? Or will she stay with the herd at Taronga Western Plains?

 

[Nile Hippo Expert]

Will Anjalee eventually reunite with Burma & join the herd at Monarto? Or will she stay with the herd atd Taronga Western Plains?

I very highly doubt she will be leaving Dubbo in the next 10-20 years (Burma's estimated years left) considering she is pregnant right now at only 18 and was moved there specifically for breeding, which she should have many more years of if all goes well. The hope is for her to have her own matriline at Dubbo, so I doubt she will be leaving there anytime soon, nor are there any plans for Monarto to move Burma there.

 

[BigTusker15]

I very highly doubt she will be leaving Dubbo in the next 10-20 years (Burma's estimated years left) considering she is pregnant right now at only 18 and was moved there specifically for breeding, which she should have many more years of if all goes well. The hope is for her to have her own matriline at Dubbo, so I doubt she will be leaving there anytime soon, nor are there any plans for Monarto to move Burma there.

I figured so. Anjalee does have a lot of potential to breed, especially now that she is pregnant.

 

[Zoofan15]

Update: the two Taronga girls are doing well and they have been acquainted with Burma.

Monarto Safari Park elephant herd doubles in size

An interesting point from this article:

Later in the year the four cows will be joined by 35-year-old male Putra Mas from Perth Zoo.

It does indeed appear the plan has been revised to have Putra Mas transfer late 2025, rather than next month.

Will Anjalee eventually reunite with Burma & join the herd at Monarto? Or will she stay with the herd at Taronga Western Plains?

There’s no plans for Anjalee to transfer out of Taronga Western Plains Zoo. In addition to being pregnant, she’s built up a good relationship with the Dubbo cows (including seven year old Kanlaya, who will benefit immensely from observing Anjalee give birth/raise young.

 

[ZCChip]

I wonder how Permai is doing. All we are seeing is Burma with the two new arrivals. Does anyone know how Permai and Burma are assimilating with each other?

 

[Zoofan15]

I wonder how Permai is doing. All we are seeing is Burma with the two new arrivals. Does anyone know how Permai and Burma are assimilating with each other?

There haven’t been any updates but my assumption is they’re prioritising Burma’s integration with the new cows. Aside from not wanting to exclude the intended matriarch from the initial introductions, based on their personalities I would assess Burma as more likely to form a bond with them in a shorter amount of time. The sooner they can get 3/4 cows integrated the better as it will enable all/both groupings maximum use of the available space (see update in Monarto thread re. construction progress of paddocks).

 

[Zorro]

There haven’t been any updates but my assumption is they’re prioritising Burma’s integration with the new cows. Aside from not wanting to exclude the intended matriarch from the initial introductions, based on their personalities I would assess Burma as more likely to form a bond with them in a shorter amount of time. The sooner they can get 3/4 cows integrated the better as it will enable all/both groupings maximum use of the available space (see update in Monarto thread re. construction progress of paddocks).

I would expect there is much focus now to complete all the fencing, pool and new barn as fast as possible perhaps even before Putra Mas arrives.
I hope once things settle down they try to use AI sooner rather than late, Monarto zoo have done well in what seems to be a short amount of time.

 

[Zoofan15]

Video of the Taronga transfer:

Taronga have posted a final video farewelling the elephants and covering their transfer to Monarto. It includes footage of the cows exploring their new habitat.

Of particular interest in the reference to Pak Boon and Tang Mo joining the other cows to form a ‘social herd’. It feels like there were at least a couple of chances throughout this video to reference aspirations to build up a multigenerational herd or breeding, but it wasn’t mentioned. I hope this isn’t an indication of a lack of breeding plans from Monarto (as was also implied to myself and @steveroberts during our discussion with a Taronga keeper last year). As we all know, Putra Mas and Pak Boon are the region’s most genetically valuable bull and viable cow respectively. It would be a great shame if their genetics went to waste.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1208718633974133

 

[Johnpaul21]

I would expect there is much focus now to complete all the fencing, pool and new barn as fast as possible perhaps even before Putra Mas arrives.
I hope once things settle down they try to use AI sooner rather than late, Monarto zoo have done well in what seems to be a short amount of time.

I believe that they are extending Putra Mas' time at Perth Zoo not to try and have the bull barn fully completed but to get more progress as it is very far off and so when he arrives they will try and limit the time he has to spend with the girls in their barn but I think it's inevitable that he will have to be with the girls for at least a bit.

 

[ZCChip]

I believe that they are extending Putra Mas' time at Perth Zoo not to try and have the bull barn fully completed but to get more progress as it is very far off and so when he arrives they will try and limit the time he has to spend with the girls in their barn but I think it's inevitable that he will have to be with the girls for at least a bit.

and it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Especially if they want to breed Pak Boon.

 

[Jambo]

and it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Especially if they want to breed Pak Boon.

If they are looking at breeding from Pak Boon, time is precious now. It's now approaching eight years since she last gave birth (in a few weeks).

By the time Putra Mas is on site and introduced to Pak Boon, it'll likely be much later this year. Whether they can afford to wait another six or so months is debatable. At this point, time is running out!

 

[ZCChip]

If they are looking at breeding from Pak Boon, time is precious now. It's now approaching eight years since she last gave birth (in a few weeks).

By the time Putra Mas is on site and introduced to Pak Boon, it'll likely be much later this year. Whether they can afford to wait another six or so months is debatable. At this point, time is running out!

Exactly. Only real issue I could see is Burma as she never has been around a bull so she may be intimidated but they look like they can separate them.

 

[Jambo]

Exactly. Only real issue I could see is Burma as she never has been around a bull so she may be intimidated but they look like they can separate them.

She may have seen a bull at the camp she was born at, but she certainly wasn't been around one during her time at Auckland (so at least not since she was eight years old).

Monarto do have the luxury of being able to separate their elephants if desired across their large paddocks. So they could easily just introduce the other cows to Putra Mas separately, in the event that Burma doesn't respond well to him. In saying that, I don't see why she wouldn't. She's an incredibly social cow and has always seemingly jumped at the opportunity to meet new elephants.

 

[Johnpaul21]

Thats right and it may take a bit of role modeling from Permai to show the others he's ok incase they are a bit intimidated by him. Since Permai is so used to being around him hopefully Burma will see the way Permai responds with Putra Mas and then follow on.

 

[ZCChip]

Thats right and it may take a bit of role modeling from Permai to show the others he's ok incase they are a bit intimidated by him. Since Permai is so used to being around him hopefully Burma will see the way Permai responds with Putra Mas and then follow on.

Right now, it seems Permai is not integrated with Burma even! I am following the Monarto Zoo thread. It will be interesting to see how the zoo manages the integration by the time Putra Mas and the situation between the girls at that time.

 

[Zoofan15]

She may have seen a bull at the camp she was born at, but she certainly wasn't been around one during her time at Auckland (so at least not since she was eight years old).

Monarto do have the luxury of being able to separate their elephants if desired across their large paddocks. So they could easily just introduce the other cows to Putra Mas separately, in the event that Burma doesn't respond well to him. In saying that, I don't see why she wouldn't. She's an incredibly social cow and has always seemingly jumped at the opportunity to meet new elephants.

Putra Mas won’t be living with the cows, so it doesn’t really matter if he gets on with Burma or not. Personally, I think it would be beneficial for all involved if he could enjoy social time with the cow herd - but the extent of his socialisation with any number of the cows could be along the fence line and that would still enhance their day.

The most important thing is that Putra Mas and Pak Boon get on well enough to have the opportunity to breed naturally. With time being of the essence, they will likely introduce them on (or before) her first cycle if positive behaviour is observed.

 

[Zoofan15]

Right now, it seems Permai is not integrated with Burma even! I am following the Monarto Zoo thread. It will be interesting to see how the zoo manages the integration by the time Putra Mas and the situation between the girls at that time.

Yes, it’s been very slow progress with integrating Burma and Permai. In short, it appears Permai is the issue and given the encouraging signs already seen from the Taronga cows and Burma, I anticipate that Monarto will prioritise their integration (especially since they intend for Burma to be the matriarch).

In contrast to Permai, Burma has had more experience living with other elephants. She came to New Zealand as an eight year old (versus Permai who came to Australia as a three year old and would have little memory of her past life) and not only won over Kashin (who snubbed her for two years); but instantly took to Anjalee, when she arrived at Auckland Zoo as an adolescent.

I hope Permai can be integrated with the other three long term, but even managing her in a paddock in proximity to them (and Putra Mas) would be preferable to her living life as a single cow. Burma at Dubbo led a similar existence in her final years and enjoyed interacting with the juvenile bull along the fence line.