Australian Asian Elephant Population 2025

[Jambo]

Long term, it’s possible we’ll see the divide of Dokkoon’s line and Num-Oi’s line widen. Mek Kepah is the glue holding the herd together, but she’s getting on in years and by the time she passes, Num-Oi will hopefully have the support of a adult daughter (and Dokkoon two).

The good thing is that Werribee has the facilities to be able to accommodate an eventual herd split in the event that that occurs.

That's not a bad set of tusks for a captive elephant to have hopefully we get to see more of his genes passed on yet!

Worst case scenario if he doesn't end up breeding at Monarto, we could eventually see those tusk genes if Kanlaya at Dubbo (his daughter) eventually produces a son.

 

[Zoofan15]

That's not a bad set of tusks for a captive elephant to have hopefully we get to see more of his genes passed on yet!

Putra Mas is currently the most impressive bull we have in the region.

Pathi Harn has shown some promise of late. I look forward to seeing how he tracks compared to his sire; though from the photo I have in my Melbourne Zoo 1992 guidebook, he’s nowhere near as impressive as Bong Su in his mid-teens.

Pathi Harn (2025):

 

[ZCChip]

Here’s the link:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=766580659543520&vanity=7NEWSAdelaide&http_ref=eyJ0cyI6MTc2MDI0MjIxOTAwMCwiciI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbVwvIn0=

He does have his tusks regularly trimmed, but looking also at a video from August 2025, it seems they have gone slightly shorter yet. Presumably to minimise any risk of breakage in transit.

This is him from 2018 for comparison:

View attachment 833416

Dang! He is quite nimble and active for his age and size even!!!! A handsome, magnificent bull.

 

[Zoofan15]

Dang! He is quite nimble and active for his age and size even!!!! A handsome, magnificent bull.

He is an impressive bull and I’m grateful we’ve been able to retain him within the region. His first calf died as a neonate, so Kanlaya is his sole representation in Australia and she’s only seven years old.

Fingers crossed Putra Mas can breed naturally with Pak Boon as due to her value, even a son would have numerous applications in the region. A son and two daughters (to give Pak Boon chance to establish a matriline) would be ideal!

 

[ZCChip]

He is an impressive bull and I’m grateful we’ve been able to retain him within the region. His first calf died as a neonate, so Kanlaya is his sole representation in Australia and she’s only seven years old.

Fingers crossed Putra Mas can breed naturally with Pak Boon as due to her value, even a son would have numerous applications in the region. A son and two daughters (to give Pak Boon chance to establish a matriline) would be ideal!

yes. The big question is if he can breed naturally. It looks like he is agile to do it but does he know how??

 

[Zoofan15]

yes. The big question is if he can breed naturally. It looks like he is agile to do it but does he know how??

That’s the million dollar question. In the 2005 annual report, Perth Zoo documented a mating between him and Permai; but no calf resulted and they switched to AI after natural breeding was unsuccessful.

Two decade later, he’s had no further opportunity to practice natural mating, so it’s really anyone’s guess. What I would say though, is Pak Boon (a twice proven natural breeder) at least knows how to stand for a bull. If he can’t successfully mount her, I doubt he’d succeed with any cow.

Perth Zoo’s 2005 annual report:

During the year, Perth Zoo recorded the first known natural mating of elephants in an Australian zoo. The mating followed the carefully planned pairing of 16-year-old male Putra Mas and 16-year-old female Permai as part of the Zoo’s breeding program for the endangered Asian Elephant. The pairing was timed to coincide with Permai’s reproductive cycle. Subsequent blood analysis revealed that Permai was not pregnant.

 

[ZCChip]

o

That’s the million dollar question. In the 2005 annual report, Perth Zoo documented a mating between him and Permai; but no calf resulted and they switched to AI after natural breeding was unsuccessful.

Two decade later, he’s had no further opportunity to practice natural mating, so it’s really anyone’s guess. What I would say though, is Pak Boon (a twice proven natural breeder) at least knows how to stand for a bull. If he can’t successfully mount her, I doubt he’d succeed with any cow.

Perth Zoo’s 2005 annual report:

During the year, Perth Zoo recorded the first known natural mating of elephants in an Australian zoo. The mating followed the carefully planned pairing of 16-year-old male Putra Mas and 16-year-old female Permai as part of the Zoo’s breeding program for the endangered Asian Elephant. The pairing was timed to coincide with Permai’s reproductive cycle. Subsequent blood analysis revealed that Permai was not pregnant.

I thought Permai wouldn’t stand for him (or something of the sort) and she’s supposedly afraid of him? At least that’s what I understand from the older posts here.

 

[Zorro]

yes. The big question is if he can breed naturally. It looks like he is agile to do it but does he know how??

I hope that he can breed naturally but I would be surprised if he does as a long time has passed for him, I hope if possible an AI could be performed even if its the last chance before its to late for the cow its now or perhaps never, time is the key.

 

[Zoofan15]

I thought Permai wouldn’t stand for him (or something of the sort) and she’s supposedly afraid of him? At least that’s what I understand from the older posts here.

That’s correct. Following the first recorded natural mating in 2005, a problem developed where Permai would become scared during the mounting process and Putra Mas would become aggressive in response.

They resorted to AI and by 2009, there had been three unsuccessful AI attempts:

On the first attempt, Permai released two follicles at ovulation and was thought to have aborted the pregnancy due to the challenges of carrying twins.

On the second attempt, the semen used was of poor quality.

On the third attempt, they missed her cycle by two weeks.

Following the AI attempts, they returned to natural mating, restraining Putra Mas with a leg chain and using positive reinforcement when he mounted Permai to acclimatise them to the process. Unfortunately no successful mating ever occurred.

I hope that he can breed naturally but I would be surprised if he does as a long time has passed for him, I hope if possible an AI could be performed even if its the last chance before its to late for the cow its now or perhaps never, time is the key.

Agreed. Getting a calf out of Putra Mas and Pak Boon is worth doing whatever it takes.

 

[Pertinax]

I hope that he can breed naturally but I would be surprised if he does as a long time has passed for him, I hope if possible an AI could be performed even if its the last chance before its to late for the cow its now or perhaps never, time is the key.

It is possible he'll be stimulated by the introduction of fresh, unknown females though. It can sometimes work wonders.

 

[Zorro]

It is possible he'll be stimulated by the introduction of fresh, unknown females though. It can sometimes work wonders.

Yes I understand what I am pointing out its been many years since he's had a chance to mate he may be keen but he may not know really what to do I hope he can do the deed

 

[Frankie_number_1_fan]

I'm not holding my breath on Putra Mas naturally breeding. I hate to be a downer, but I feel like Monarto isn't doing Pak Boon any favors by waiting on a bull that very well may be long since past his naturally breeding days. A smarter choice would've been to bring in a proven bull (Ie Gung) or a bull that had grown up in a suitable herd setting (Pathi Harn), though I'm inclined to say Gung would be the safer option. Despite the region not really needing another son out of Gung, at the very least he could've secured a pregnancy for her and give Monarto more time to give Putra Mas "practice" and/or allow them time to arrange for the transport or import of another bull in the event Putra Mas is unsuccessful.
It's more than a touch concerning that they're basing their entire program on these two animals, and not even doing their utmost to get their one viable cow pregnant...

 

[Jambo]

I'm not holding my breath on Putra Mas naturally breeding. I hate to be a downer, but I feel like Monarto isn't doing Pak Boon any favors by waiting on a bull that very well may be long since past his naturally breeding days. A smarter choice would've been to bring in a proven bull (Ie Gung) or a bull that had grown up in a suitable herd setting (Pathi Harn), though I'm inclined to say Gung would be the safer option. Despite the region not really needing another son out of Gung, at the very least he could've secured a pregnancy for her and give Monarto more time to give Putra Mas "practice" and/or allow them time to arrange for the transport or import of another bull in the event Putra Mas is unsuccessful.
It's more than a touch concerning that they're basing their entire program on these two animals, and not even doing their utmost to get their one viable cow pregnant...

I certainly agree. Another option could have even been Luk Chai from Melbourne. Werribee's cows are really in no rush to breed again, and Werribee could have fallen back on trying with Putra Mas, or even one (or both) of the Sydney bulls.

In the event Putra Mas is unsuccessful, they could always fall back on AI, but even by that point, it would likely be a decade following Pak Boon's last calf. And with her in her mid 30's, she certainly has the cards against her.

I know Monarto didn't want pregnancy hormones disrupting introductions, but they really should have AI'd Pak Boon at Taronga prior to her transfer to Monarto. She could have easily welcomed a calf next year, which would've given them time to acquire Putra Mas and for him to get in the flow of things.

 

[ZCChip]

Monarto may be having budget issues so they may not want to go through the expensive process of AI right now. So Putra Mas is the most viable option.

I say budget issues because there was a delay in construction of the bull enclosure and so on. Remember they only decided to take Burma in when the other zoo decided not to so that’s a cost factor.

 

[Zoofan15]

Monarto may be having budget issues so they may not want to go through the expensive process of AI right now. So Putra Mas is the most viable option.

I say budget issues because there was a delay in construction of the bull enclosure and so on. Remember they only decided to take Burma in when the other zoo decided not to so that’s a cost factor.

Burma and Permai were first and foremost acquired on humanitarian grounds. They’re ageing, non-viable breeders and no other zoo in the region had the capacity to take them on. It also presented an opportunity for Monarto to acquire elephants, which was one of their long term goals.

By acquiring elephants, Monarto did the region a favour by not only enabling Auckland and Perth to rehome their lone cows; but by enabling a genetically valuable bull (Putra Mas) to be retained in the region. While I’d hope Werribee (who have two bull paddocks) would have accepted him push come to shove, there was a very possibility he could have been sent overseas. This would have been a massive loss (genetically speaking) to the Australasian region.

Once the plan to acquire these three elephants had been made, Monarto then agreed to take the Taronga cows. The original plan was to send them to Dubbo; but with no suitable accomodation on the horizon, they’d be left at Taronga for the foreseeable and so this became a win-win for Taronga/Monarto - with the latter gaining their only viable cow.

Natural breeding would certainly be the goal. Within a couple of cycles, it should be clear whether it’s a viable option. From there, they can assess whether AI is worth undertaking. It’s expensive, but the novelty of South Australia’s first elephant calf would recoup most/all of the costs.

 

[Zoofan15]

I'm not holding my breath on Putra Mas naturally breeding. I hate to be a downer, but I feel like Monarto isn't doing Pak Boon any favors by waiting on a bull that very well may be long since past his naturally breeding days. A smarter choice would've been to bring in a proven bull (Ie Gung) or a bull that had grown up in a suitable herd setting (Pathi Harn), though I'm inclined to say Gung would be the safer option. Despite the region not really needing another son out of Gung, at the very least he could've secured a pregnancy for her and give Monarto more time to give Putra Mas "practice" and/or allow them time to arrange for the transport or import of another bull in the event Putra Mas is unsuccessful.
It's more than a touch concerning that they're basing their entire program on these two animals, and not even doing their utmost to get their one viable cow pregnant...

There’s countless alternatives to explore, but one they could have considered was sending Anjalee (pregnant) to Monarto last year. It would have surely been a joyous reunion between her and Burma and provided Monarto with the asset of a viable cow (already in calf). It was considered a priority to get Anjalee in calf; but that has now been achieved and they have close to a decade to work with to explore options around Putra Mas breeding naturally with her for a second calf.

If Anjalee’s unborn calf is female, then Monarto would have the foundations of a matriline and unlike Dubbo, have the space for it to flourish.

Pak Boon and Tang Mo could have then transferred to Dubbo. Either they’d share Anjalee’s stall; or Tang Mo could share with Thong Dee, with Pak Boon having her own stall. Considering the plan was until recently to reunite these four cows at Dubbo, there was clearly confidence in it being an amicable reunion. The keepers who work with her anticipate Pak Boon to concede the matriarch role to Burma (an unfamiliar elephant), so we can similarly assume she would be happy to concede the role to Porntip (her former matriarch).

Assuming the new barn comes no time soon, Thong Dee (and possibly Porntip) would still be lost to the breeding programme under this scenario; but it would have given Monarto a more cohesive herd and enabled Pak Boon the best opportunity to conceive ASAP.

 

[Zoofan15]

Perth Zoo Update

Update from Perth Zoo’s annual report on their elephants Permai (now at Monarto Safari Park) and Putra Mas (transferring in November):

Since the move, Permai has been acclimatising to her new home and demonstrating steady improvements in eating and sleeping patterns.

Perth Zoo continues to communicate with staff at Monarto Safari Park, with teams noting Permai’s increased confidence and curiosity. Notably, she built the confidence to explore the outdoor yards, even during the period of construction, which previously may have been a source of stress.

Permai has developed stronger relationships with her new keepers, engaging more frequently and positively. Her progress continues to be monitored to ensure her ongoing well- being and a successful integration into the new surroundings.

Meanwhile, ongoing planning continued for male elephant Putra Mas’ transfer. The Life Sciences team continued rigorous training to set him up for success, with hand injection and crating programs. Sedation trials have also taken place to simulate the planned procedures for his eventual transfer date. The veterinary team are undertaking ongoing preparations and discussions regarding best practices ahead of Putra Mas’ transfer.

 

[Zoofan15]

Perth Zoo Elephant Videos

In the lead up to their phase out of elephants (their final elephant Putra Mas is anticipated to transfer out in early November), Perth Zoo have been posting a series of videos via their socials and YouTube channel.

I thought these two (especially the first one about the history) would be of interest:

Perth Zoo elephant history:

Perth Zoo elephant keeper’s memories:

For those who don’t know, Chepam was the house name of Teduh (died 2007); while Silup is the house name of Putra Mas.

 

[marmolady]

Does Permai also have a house name?

 

[Zoofan15]

Does Permai also have a house name?

In 2012, @Gajah69 claimed all three Perth calves had house names, but didn’t advise what alternative name Permai had:

Her barn name was Chepam and public name, Teduh.From memory they came from 3 different regions in Malaysia, but I can check and confirm this for you.All the calves had 2 names.

I’ve had many conversations with keepers at different zoos who have referred to Putra Mas by his house name (Silup) that it made me wonder whether Permai’s name is no longer in use since those same keepers have always referred to her as ‘Permai’ in conversation. Even on socials, keepers refer to Putra Mas as ‘Silup’.

However, it may have been considered more important to keep Permai’s house name a secret given Perth’s keepers had her in free contact. The public knowing the deceased Teduh was named ‘Chepam’; or the bull in protected contact was named ‘Silup’ wouldn’t have had the same implications.