Australian Asian Elephant Population 2025

[Zoofan15]

There were a couple pictures too!! He is already relaxed there.

Here’s the photos of Putra Mas sleeping during his first night in his new barn (photos courtesy of Monarto Safari Park):





It’ll be interesting to see how long they allow his impressive tusks to grow out. While Perth used to trim them, they were trimmed substantially this year in anticipation for his move.

 

[Zorro]

Here’s the photos of Putra Mas sleeping during his first night in his new barn (photos courtesy of Monarto Safari Park):

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It’ll be interesting to see how long they allow his impressive tusks to grow out. While Perth used to trim them, they were trimmed substantially this year in anticipation for his move.

He did really well so glad he sleep like that on his first night. Now he has been transported hopefully they allow his tusks to get to a good size now

 

[Swanson02]

7 news Adelaide have posted a very short video of Burma and Putra Mas interacting

 

[Zorro]

7 news Adelaide have posted a very short video of Burma and Putra Mas interacting

That's good news I assume it was outside in a yard

 

[Swanson02]

from 7 News "Putra Mas is at the prime age for breeding, but keepers say the herd was never brought together with that expectation. Instead, the priority for now is to let them settle into their new forever home."

 

[Swanson02]

from 7 News "Putra Mas is at the prime age for breeding, but keepers say the herd was never brought together with that expectation. Instead, the priority for now is to let them settle into their new forever home."

As @Jambo and I said before, I believe Monarto is just hedging its bets publicly, not confirming whether they are a breeding facility until they know -
1. That Putra Mas is proven
2. That Pak Boon is still capable of conceiving

They are playing down to the public, so as not to disappoint them if things do not eventuate

 

[Zoofan15]

from 7 News "Putra Mas is at the prime age for breeding, but keepers say the herd was never brought together with that expectation. Instead, the priority for now is to let them settle into their new forever home."

I really hope they have breeding in mind once they’ve settled in. As I mentioned in my previous post, it could be as much to avoid detracting from the event of the elephants arrival; as well as not wanting to make a promise they can’t deliver on.

Monarto Safari Park have the most genetically valuable bull and the most genetically valuable (viable) cow in Australia; and these two would also be two of the highest ranking within the context of the global captive population,

 

[Zorro]

I really hope they have breeding in mind once they’ve settled in.

Monarto Safari Park have the most genetically valuable bull and the most genetically valuable (viable) cow in Australia; and these two would also be two of the highest ranking within the context of the global captive population,

This being the case they should have AI on the ready at the right time

 

[Zoofan15]

This being the case they should have AI on the ready at the right time

I hope they have this ready to go as a contingency. They should have undertaken AI while she was still at Taronga to be honest. Not only could it have been done within a timeframe that’s not pushing the limits of her still being able to conceive; but had Gung been used and the calf had been female, she’d be coming to Monarto with a second female for Putra Mas to breed with.

Alternatively, they could have undertaken AI with Putra Mas (as Dubbo did in 2016) and achieved what we’re hoping they’re set out to in the coming months.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing; but had Anjalee and Thong Dee been sent (both pregnant) to Monarto instead of Pak Boon and Tang Mo; then Pak Boon and Tang Mo could have been sent to Dubbo to reunite with Porntip. Pak Boon could have then breed with Gung or Pathi Harn.

Monarto: Putra Mas, Burma, Permai, Thong Dee (pregnant), Anjalee (pregnant)

Dubbo: Gung, Pathi Harn, Sabai, Porntip, Pak Boon, Tang Mo, Kanlaya

 

[Swanson02]

7 news Adelaide have posted a very short video of Burma and Putra Mas interacting

This being the case they should have AI on the ready at the right time

I'm 90% confident ZoosSA will never do AI. They don't nearly have the money, Taronga or ZoosVic do, and don't seem that desperate to have a breeding herd. To them, breeding is a bonus; in their eyes, Werribee and TWPZ will eventually give them excess animals when these 5 pass on.

 

[Zoofan15]

Putra Mas update:

From Zoos SA’s socials:

Putra Mas has been resting and settling in with support from our elephant care team and keepers from Perth Zoo who know him well. Their knowledge, familiarity and gentle cues are helping ensure a smooth transition as he becomes accustomed to his new routine.

Today, he spent a little time outside his barn. These early steps are all about giving him the space and freedom to adjust at a pace that feels right for him. There are no timelines or expectations — just steady, thoughtful care guided by what he’s comfortable with.

We’ll continue to take things slowly and let Putra Mas — and all of our elephants — set the pace, in their time and on their terms.

 

[Zoofan15]

To them, breeding is a bonus; in their eyes, Werribee and TWPZ will eventually give them excess animals when these 5 pass on.

On that note, Dubbo could eventuate as a better candidate for splitting their herd than Werribee. It’s well recognised that factions can often form in herds of unrelated matrilines and if/when Anjalee produces a daughter, I could definitely see this happening.

Unlike Werribee’s cows, who have grown up together since the ages of 15, 6 and 5; Dubbo’s Porntip was 30 when the then 16 year old Anjalee was introduced to her. It appears to have been a seamless introduction and Anjalee was quick to build a rapport with Kanlaya, but I’d assess this herd as having a much higher risk of conflict down the line than Werribee’s

 

[Tiger91]

This being the case they should have AI on the ready at the right time

With the plan to let them mix, and not all cows integrated together yet. We will likely see him breed Pak boon. Of memory he didn't mount Permai or attempt it and nothing came of it. The thing will be if Pat boon hasn't been put on pause for two long. But then, live cover will have a much better chance of pregnancy then AI.

They should have used AI with him and both Taronga girls already as well.

 

[Zoofan15]

Of memory he didn't mount Permai or attempt it and nothing came of it.

Permai’s reproductive history:

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.

 

[Tiger91]

Permai’s reproductive history:

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.

The wild card in all this will be Tang Mo. She isn't an old elephant, but she is technically non breeding due to her age and not having had a calf. When mixed with him if she is cycling it will be interesting to see if she lets him mount her, did with gung.

Pak boon will hopefully still be viable, hopefully they can pull of a MZ. Her next cycle she will be more receptive to him, hopefully they let them mix and we might see success.

 

[Pertinax]

I've found most zoos respond to the first queries but any more than that, they'll simply ignore them.

I think its always been that way. In the days when I approached Zoos direct for information I'd always make sure I asked either just my most important question, or phrase it to get a multi-answer if possible. I knew any later follow-up questions would more than likely be ignored.

 

[Jambo]

7 news Adelaide have posted a very short video of Burma and Putra Mas interacting

That's good news I assume it was outside in a yard

Burma was in one of the outdoor paddocks (the paddock it seems like she's usually in), Putra Mas was in the outdoor yard adjacent to his barn, so whilst they weren't directly interacting, they were sort of eyeing each other through the fenceline which has some scrub in between.

from 7 News "Putra Mas is at the prime age for breeding, but keepers say the herd was never brought together with that expectation. Instead, the priority for now is to let them settle into their new forever home."

It seems that's coming from Andrew himself, so I'd take it with confidence. It's possible they could still attempt breeding if that comes around and Putra Mas and Pak Boon do get along well. It'll be interesting to see their interactions once they're introduced.

 

[Zoofan15]

Burma was in one of the outdoor paddocks (the paddock it seems like she's usually in), Putra Mas was in the outdoor yard adjacent to his barn, so whilst they weren't directly interacting, they were sort of eyeing each other through the fenceline which has some scrub in between.

It seems that's coming from Andrew himself, so I'd take it with confidence. It's possible they could still attempt breeding if that comes around and Putra Mas and Pak Boon do get along well. It'll be interesting to see their interactions once they're introduced.

Here’s a photo. Thanks to @Johnpaul21 for sharing this. Burma is observing Putra Mas through the fence line.

That would be Area 4 Burma is in, adjacent to the bull barn and yard.

 

[Johnpaul21]

Permai’s reproductive history:

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.

And to add- One of the Ele keepers informed me after Tricia passed they tried mating again... With no restraints on Putra Mas and infact the issue that time was not him but instead her, apparently pushing him off and showing disinterest overall...

 

[Frankie_number_1_fan]

I would be shocked if they didn't at least attempt to breed Pak Boon. As we all have been saying she and Putra Mas are the most valuable pair in the region, and any bull calves of theirs would almost be guaranteed a spot as a breeding bull once he is of age to do so. Short of Pak Boon having a reproductive health issue, they'd be foolish to not try. It is unfortunate that Zoos SA cannot afford AI, as regardless of breeding being a priority Pak Boon is too valuable to waste should she still be viable.

It is very understandable that they would keep any plans close to their chests though, as it is very plausible that it is too late for Pak Boon and similarly for Putra Mas to not know/care to breed naturally. All we can do is keep our fingers crossed!