I hope we can follow this transfer as closely as possible hopefully it goes smoothly as possible!
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Australian Asian Elephant Population 2025
- Thread starter Zoofan15
- Start date
It’ll be interesting to see!
The first week of November is an eventful week for Australia with Melbourne Cup Day on November 4 and Guy Fawkes Night on November 5. I’m not anticipating either event would have any impact on Putra Mas’ transfer however.
Putra Mas has heard fireworks before, which would be considerably less amplified in an open range site and if he arrived the morning/afternoon of the that day, he’d have time to acclimatise before that evening. The sedatives from the transfer may also reduce his sensitivity.
Melbourne Cup Day is only a public holiday in Victoria and while the nation as a whole comes to a standstill to watch it, I can’t see that impacting on the transit of an elephant across the Nullarbor.
And Halloween. Do you have Halloween in Australia? I was thinking traffic and now you mentioned the two major events that week.
Halloween is widely celebrated in Australia (albeit nothing on the scale of the US). I wouldn’t expect any disruption to transit, but it’s on a Friday and Monarto have previously aimed for mid week arrival times (either Tuesday or Wednesday).
If Putra Mas doesn’t leave November 3, my estimate will very quickly be shifting to November 10.
Following the transfer of Putra Mas, the Australian elephant population by state will be as follows:
South Australia:
1.4 at Monarto
Victoria:
2.7 at Werribee
New South Wales:
2.0 at Sydney
3.4 at Dubbo
Queensland:
0.4 at Beerwah
Elephant Update
Interview with Director of Life Sciences at Perth Zoo, John Lemon by ABC Perth:
The logistics of transporting Perth Zoo's last elephant - ABC listen
Putra Mas was weighed this week and is now 5 tonnes, representing a weight increase of just under 400kg since 2023. The weight increase has been attributed to the treats (positive reinforcement) he’s been receiving. Gung is ‘over 5 tonnes’, so remains the largest bull in Australia.
The procedure for transporting Putra Mas will be similar to Permai logistically bar a larger care team and a bigger air conditioning unit (to maintain a temperature of 21 degrees). They anticipate two full days of travel, arriving around midday at Monarto on the third day.
The Monarto habitat will feature a tunnel where visitors can walk under the exhibit and pop up in a central public area to view the elephants. It’s described in the interview as a world first, so is apparently a different concept to Werribee’s overpasses.
Interview with Director of Life Sciences at Perth Zoo, John Lemon by ABC Perth:
The logistics of transporting Perth Zoo's last elephant - ABC listen
Putra Mas was weighed this week and is now 5 tonnes, representing a weight increase of just under 400kg since 2023. The weight increase has been attributed to the treats (positive reinforcement) he’s been receiving. Gung is ‘over 5 tonnes’, so remains the largest bull in Australia.
The procedure for transporting Putra Mas will be similar to Permai logistically bar a larger care team and a bigger air conditioning unit (to maintain a temperature of 21 degrees). They anticipate two full days of travel, arriving around midday at Monarto on the third day.
The Monarto habitat will feature a tunnel where visitors can walk under the exhibit and pop up in a central public area to view the elephants. It’s described in the interview as a world first, so is apparently a different concept to Werribee’s overpasses.
Wow, that's an interesting addition. From what I understand, the path will actually go underneath the elephant habitat; dissimilar to Werribee, who have guests go under a bridge connecting the elephant enclosures.
It will be quite intriguing to see how Monarto goes with this - and how far such a tunnel would go. San Diego is the only zoo I know that has one; albeit on a much smaller scale than I anticipate Monarto's will end up being due to the size of Monarto's exhibits.
As mentioned before elephants do increase in mass and weight even as adults especially the bulls
Putra Mas Is On His Way
From Zoo's Sa's Newsletter
Putra Mas is on the move!
It’s a truly special day for elephant conservation in Australia.
Early this morning, Asian Elephant Putra Mas calmly walked into his custom-built, air-conditioned transport crate at Perth Zoo and began his journey to his new forever home at Monarto Safari Park.
At 35 years old and weighing around five tonnes, Putra Mas will travel more than 2,700 kilometres across the Nullarbor, one of the largest overland moves of a bull elephant of his size anywhere in the world.
Travelling with him are two rotating teams of Perth Zoo elephant keepers and veterinarians, ensuring his comfort and welfare are monitored around the clock. His specially designed crate is insulated and temperature controlled at a comfortable 21 degrees, with cameras, a water trough, a hay feeder and plenty of space for his favourite snacks including watermelon, bamboo, raisin bread and peanut butter sandwiches.
John Lemon, Perth Zoo’s Director of Life Sciences, described the move as a bittersweet milestone.
“It’s a fantastic welfare outcome for Putra Mas to join the new herd at Monarto Safari Park, but it’s also the end of an era for Perth Zoo. We know it’s the right thing to do. It’s all about his welfare.”
The journey is expected to take around two and a half days, with regular stops for rest, refuelling and welfare checks. The convoy is travelling under what looks to be ideal weather conditions to ensure a smooth and comfortable trip for everyone, especially the biggest traveller on board.
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape the future of elephant care. The arrival of Putra Mas will complete the founding herd at Monarto Safari Park and mark the start of a new era for elephants in our care.
When he arrives later this week, Putra Mas will be given the time and space he needs to settle into his new surroundings before being gradually introduced to the rest of the herd, including Permai, who he will likely remember from their time at Perth Zoo.
This milestone is only possible thanks to your ongoing support. Every kilometre of this journey reflects the care, expertise and shared commitment of people who believe in giving elephants the life they deserve, a life with space, choice and companionship.
We look forward to sharing updates from the road and celebrating Putra Mas’s safe arrival at Monarto Safari Park.
Thank you for being part of this incredible story.
Warm regards,
Phil Ainsley
Chief Executive, Zoos South Australia
From Zoo's Sa's Newsletter
Putra Mas is on the move!
It’s a truly special day for elephant conservation in Australia.
Early this morning, Asian Elephant Putra Mas calmly walked into his custom-built, air-conditioned transport crate at Perth Zoo and began his journey to his new forever home at Monarto Safari Park.
At 35 years old and weighing around five tonnes, Putra Mas will travel more than 2,700 kilometres across the Nullarbor, one of the largest overland moves of a bull elephant of his size anywhere in the world.
Travelling with him are two rotating teams of Perth Zoo elephant keepers and veterinarians, ensuring his comfort and welfare are monitored around the clock. His specially designed crate is insulated and temperature controlled at a comfortable 21 degrees, with cameras, a water trough, a hay feeder and plenty of space for his favourite snacks including watermelon, bamboo, raisin bread and peanut butter sandwiches.
John Lemon, Perth Zoo’s Director of Life Sciences, described the move as a bittersweet milestone.
“It’s a fantastic welfare outcome for Putra Mas to join the new herd at Monarto Safari Park, but it’s also the end of an era for Perth Zoo. We know it’s the right thing to do. It’s all about his welfare.”
The journey is expected to take around two and a half days, with regular stops for rest, refuelling and welfare checks. The convoy is travelling under what looks to be ideal weather conditions to ensure a smooth and comfortable trip for everyone, especially the biggest traveller on board.
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape the future of elephant care. The arrival of Putra Mas will complete the founding herd at Monarto Safari Park and mark the start of a new era for elephants in our care.
When he arrives later this week, Putra Mas will be given the time and space he needs to settle into his new surroundings before being gradually introduced to the rest of the herd, including Permai, who he will likely remember from their time at Perth Zoo.
This milestone is only possible thanks to your ongoing support. Every kilometre of this journey reflects the care, expertise and shared commitment of people who believe in giving elephants the life they deserve, a life with space, choice and companionship.
We look forward to sharing updates from the road and celebrating Putra Mas’s safe arrival at Monarto Safari Park.
Thank you for being part of this incredible story.
Warm regards,
Phil Ainsley
Chief Executive, Zoos South Australia
Nice to see I correctly guessed his departure day!
Here’s a complete history of Perth Zoo’s elephants, which is now complete with Putra Mas’ departure this morning:
Perth Zoo - Complete Elephant History
One thing I was reminded of in researching the history of Perth Zoo’s elephants was that they had a gap of no elephants between 1961 (death of Ranee) and the arrival of Tara, Tania and Tricia in 1963.
Perth Zoo has never held African elephants. Betty and Dolly were noted to have been Sumatran elephants.
1.0 Jumbaroo (Asian elephant)
Born in the wild 00/00/1907
Arrived at Perth Zoo 24/05/1922
Sent to Perry Brothers Circus 30/05/1922
0.1 Ranee (Asian elephant)
Born in the wild 00/00/1903
Arrived at Perth Zoo 00/00/1923
Died at Perth Zoo 24/12/1961
0.1 Chandra (Asian elephant)
Born in the wild 00/00/1926
Arrived at Perth Zoo 00/12/1930
Sent to Unknown Circus 00/12/1931
0.1 Dolly (Asian elephant)
Born in the wild 00/00/1931
Arrived at Perth Zoo 15/12/1934
Died at Perth Zoo 04/02/1935
0.1 Betty (Asian elephant)
Born in the wild 00/00/1931
Arrived at Perth Zoo 15/12/1934
Sent to Sole Brothers Circus 00/00/1935
0.1 Shusheela (Asian elephant)
Born in the wild 00/00/1928
Arrived at Perth Zoo 12/05/1936
Died at Perth Zoo Unknown
0.1 Tara (Asian elephant)
Born in the wild 00/00/1958
Arrived at Perth Zoo 00/00/1963
Sent to Sole Brothers Circus 00/10/1987
0.1 Tania (Asian elephant)
Born in the wild 00/00/1957
Arrived at Perth Zoo 23/01/1963
Sent to Ashton’s Circus 01/07/1971
0.1 Tricia (Asian elephant)
Born in the wild 00/00/1957
Arrived at Perth Zoo 23/01/1963
Died at Perth Zoo 06/07/2022
1.0 Putra Mas (Asian elephant)
Born in the wild 00/00/1989
Arrived at Perth Zoo 15/12/1992
Sent to Monarto Safari Park 03/11/2025
0.1 Permai (Asian elephant)
Born in the wild 00/00/1989
Arrived at Perth Zoo 15/12/1992
Sent to Monarto Safari Park 27/01/2025
0.1 Teduh (Asian elephant)
Born in the wild 00/00/1990
Arrived at Perth Zoo 15/12/1992
Died at Perth Zoo 00/05/2007
It's been a big year for what's now four iconic regional facilities that have phased out their elephants after more than a century of holding them; Auckland, Melbourne, Taronga and now Perth.
Aside from Dubbo, those four facilities were the only holders of elephants in the region just a decade ago. Very telling of how times have changed - and elephants are no longer considered acceptable in a city zoo setting.
A huge part of zoo history within our region now finally coming to a close with the last official 'city elephant' in Australasia departing this morning.
A monumental move indeed, following on from the regional population becoming the Australian population as of November 2024.
With the last four city zoos (bar Sydney) phasing out elephants, the regional population is now held at just five holders; but two of these have breeding herds (and hopefully Monarto will become the third).
It’s an excellent progression in husbandry, not just the cessation of holding elephants in city zoos; but the acknowledgment they fare better in multigenerational herds. The challenges Monarto have faced in introducing unrelated females is a clear example of why herds of related females are optional for welfare.
Great video! Here’s the link:
38K views · 1.4K reactions | Hey Monarto Safari Park, we've got precious cargo coming your way! | Perth Zoo
A number of posts have mentioned six months of crate training has gone into this move; though it’s worth noting that that refers to the end of Putra Mas’ musth cycle (which occurs January to April). He was crate training before this, with a break taken while he was in musth.
Either way, a tremendous effort by the Perth team that’s clearly paid off!
Thank you @Zoofan15