There is actually another new video on the zoos Facebook page of Permi and Tang mo bonding @Zoofan15
Monarto Safari Park Monarto Safari Park News 2025
- Thread starter Luke899
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Yeah, it's the same post @Zoofan15 was highlighting!
I found some interesting comments on the post that I thought might be worth sharing;
This one by a presumably former keeper/volunteer at Taronga:
She is 31 now so a bit old to be having her first calf. We tried several times to get her pregnant but even though she was physically capable, she never did. Also she has quite narrow hips, for an elephant, which could have made giving birth problematic. So even though we would have been overjoyed if she did get pregnant, there was always that fear if she did, if that makes sense.
And this update from Monarto on Permai and Putra Mas's reactions to one another following Putra Mas's arrival:
Putra Mas and Permai were housed separately at Perth Zoo, and weren't close companions. They have seen and acknowledged each other, and they certainly remember each other. What we're currently seeing is that Putra Mas is more interested in exploring the new sights, smells and spaces of Monarto Safari Park, and Permai is more attentive to opportunities for interaction with the other cows, rather than with Putra Mas.
It’s interesting to hear Tang Mo has narrow hips, which could have made giving birth extremely risky; and worst case scenario, could have cost the lives of mother and calf. It would have been great to have four calves at Taronga (all born within two years as was the original plan), but ultimately I think it’s for the best.
This also all but confirms they won’t be attempting breeding from Tang Mo as some people have speculated on here. With Burma and Permai past breeding age, it’s all down to Pak Boon.
The same keeper also made reference to the fact that despite knowing each other for (20) years, “they haven’t always been the best of friends.” It’s no secret Tang Mo was closer to Thong Dee, which makes even more sense from the scene in Flight of the Elephants, which noted they’re ‘cousins’; but it sounds like the move could be a positive for the Taronga cows socially as well if they’re now interacting with other cows they may find themselves more compatabile with.
It was done on the basis of Thong Dee (1997) and Porntip (1992) each having sons - Luk Chai (2009) and Pathi Harn (2010). Taronga didn’t have the capacity to manage additional bulls beyond Gung (2000), so the decision was made to build a new barn at Taronga Western Plains Zoo and transfer these five there.
This left Taronga with three cows - Pak Boon (1992), Tang Mo (1999) and Tukta (2010-2018).
The original plan (which remained the same even after Tukta died) was for the founder cows to all be reunited at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Construction of the new herd barn isn’t even on the horizon yet and so when Monarto Safari Park committed to take Burma (1982), Putra Mas (1989) and Permai (1989), it was decided Taronga would pursue this avenue in phasing out elephants. During that time, they welcomed Anjalee, who is now pregnant of course.
I have said all along however that not transferring Thong Dee to Monarto Safari Park was a missed opportunity. She has no ties or breeding application at Dubbo, but could have been an asset to Monarto.
hopefully Thong Dee will make the move to Monarto at some point. Especially if Putra Mas proves to be a natural breeder.
That’s a good point actually.
While my instinct had been to say they wouldn’t rock the boat with the acquisition of a new cow once the existing herd is making progress; by giving Putra Mas time to breed with Pak Boon, that would give an indication whether there’s any point in brining over Thong Dee. It would of course be pointless if Putra Mas shows no inclination to breed, in which case she might as well remain in her herd at Dubbo.
Unfortunately with Thong Dee last calving nine years ago, they’d really be pushing the limits (especially if they were to wait another year); but it’s also not something we can rule out and could greatly benefit both facilities.
Only time has the answer.
Honestly the Monarto management has not been clear about their intentions to breed. Granted, they may be keeping the cards close to their chest in case of disappointment. But having a third holder actively breeding Asians will greatly benefit Australia and the world especially with Putra Mas' genetics.
Birth of Plains zebra foal:
From socials:
A very special sight behind the scenes in Wild Africa, Cecile with her new foal, just 3 days old! They’re settling in well in Chobe, and while these little ones aren’t visible to the public (or even resort guests), it’s always wonderful to see new life thriving back of house.
From socials:
A very special sight behind the scenes in Wild Africa, Cecile with her new foal, just 3 days old! They’re settling in well in Chobe, and while these little ones aren’t visible to the public (or even resort guests), it’s always wonderful to see new life thriving back of house.
Monarto zoo has in the time frame they had from going from a non holder and having to build a new elephant exhibit with all the fencing yards and a new night house has been incredible not to mention the new yet to be used concrete swimming pool. With the help of the public donations they have acevied the near impossible so for now I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt.
They might well decide sooner or later to try to establish a breeding herd but for now their line would be to provide a home for 5 elephants from 3 different zoos including the cow from New Zealand.
That does appear to very much be the focus of Monarto Safari Park; and to be fair, they’ve done the region a massive favour in enabling three city zoos (Auckland, Perth and Taronga) to phase out their elephants. Without the expanded herd barn, Dubbo were in no position to acquire Taronga’s elephants; and there had already been a failed attempt to transfer Burma to Australia Zoo.
Whatever eventuates with breeding on site, I’m grateful Putra Mas had been retained within the region. I would be surprised if the region ever again was able to import a bull of his genetic value (within the context of the global captive population).
Some nice pics of one of the male black rhinos on the zoo Facebook page covered in mud, Seeing the elephants have gone ahead also now a bull hippo in on the horizon I am beginning to wonder if we will ever see a black rhino cows at Monarto, Is it really impossible to actually get one import?
Here’s the photo of Induna (from Monarto’s Facebook):
Induna is the only black rhinoceros at Monarto, following the transfer of Sentwali to Dubbo.
At this point, I feel like the most likely option is they’ll wait for Taronga Western Plains Zoo to transfer over a female. It doesn’t appear it’s a priority for Monarto with the elephant complex yet to be completed; and white rhinoceros being imported from Europe among other major projects.
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At the end of the day its not going to take anything away from ether the elephant exhibit or some white rhinos being imported to transfer one female rhino from Dubbo to Monarto its not as if they have to build anything its just a matter of moving one animal. Thanks for putting up the pic, one has to love a rhino!
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Bison births continue:
Monarto has now welcomed four Bison calves over the last month:
From socials:
We’ve welcomed four calves in the past month, and they’re all doing really well. The herd is fed in a long line so everyone can eat without competition — and it gives keepers a great chance to check on each individual and make sure they’re in good condition. If you listen closely, you can hear the mums and calves calling to each other while they eat.
Monarto has now welcomed four Bison calves over the last month:
From socials:
We’ve welcomed four calves in the past month, and they’re all doing really well. The herd is fed in a long line so everyone can eat without competition — and it gives keepers a great chance to check on each individual and make sure they’re in good condition. If you listen closely, you can hear the mums and calves calling to each other while they eat.
and those are American bison. I wonder how they were imported with the foot and mouth disease here and some bison actually have interbred with cattle here causing concern for purity. A handful of AZA holders have the true American bison, such as Bronx Zoo.
I don't think out population has been interbred with cattle. But the original founders to the regional population were gift pairs from the Canadian government to various Australian zoos in the early 1900s; same with the NZ stock, which had descendants later transfer across to Australia to bolster the genetics over here.
in that case as long there were no other imports I would say they are pure.
Several years ago it was a rage. They called them “beefalo” I haven’t heard about it in a long time.
Monarto’s first species was actually bison, with two females imported from Auckland Zoo in 1983.
I’ve heard many people question the purity of New Zealand’s bison (held at Hamilton and Orana) due to the exchanges with farms over the decades. I imagine it would be the same for Australian zoos.
Osedax
Well-Known Member
I know that Wings Wildlife Park bred such a 'beefalo' a few years ago, as Tasmania does not allow zoos to breed their bison.