Monarto Safari Park Monarto Safari Park News 2024

Swanson02 said:
Worst case why don't they move Permai over separately earlier? Allows her time to bond with Burma and gives Perth extra exhibit space to deal with cycling Putra Mas.
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Logistically it would be far easier to move them together; not to say it would also be far more cost effective.

Worst case scenario, Putra Mas still struggles with crate training next year, Perth transfer Permai anyway. It would be preferable for her to arrive at a similar time to the Taronga cows for an easier introduction period.
 
Swanson02 said:
I'd be highly disappointed if we ended up with another Adelaide Zoo Giraffe situation. This move would greatly improve Putra Mas' social and physical welfare.

Worst case why don't they move Permai over separately earlier? Allows her time to bond with Burma and gives Perth extra exhibit space to deal with cycling Putra Mas.
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I know Auckland and Melbourne have both done a great job at crate training their elephants, so hopefully Perth can follow suit with Putra Mas.

In the meantime, I agree transferring over Permai makes a lot of sense. I feel like she would benefit greatly from the companionship of Burma, who in turn won’t be alone at a new facility either.

Pak Boon and Tang will arrive in the interim; but the sooner Putra Mas is on site, the sooner they can breed from Pak Boon.
 
marmolady said:
I’d love to hear from the zoo whether there are indeed plans to breed from Pak Boon (presumably with Putra Mas), as I’ve not seen confirmation either way. It would be a great shame if she’s to be retired from the breeding program.
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This is still what it says on the elephant FAQ site of Zoos SA:

The initial two female elephants that could come to Monarto Safari Park are past breeding age.

Putra Mas (male) has already played an important role in the species’ regional breeding program, introducing new and valuable genetics into the pool. In 2018, he sired a calf through artificial insemination resulting in a female born in New South Wales. Putra Mas is still in his breeding age.

As we move to expand our herd we will work with the Asian Elephant Regional Breeding Program to increase our breeding capacity.

Which in and of itself is somewhat outdated - it's confirmed Monarto (all being well) will be receiving Burma and Permai, as well as Pak Boon and Tang Mo from Taronga.

It's a reasonable inference that there are plans to breed Pak Boon with Putra Mas (as she would be the only cow able to breed of those Monarto is planning to receive. I agree, though, that it would be nice for the zoo to confirm that this is their plan, just in case we are getting the wrong idea.

Funnily enough, when I Googled 'monarto breeding elephants', this was the second search result: Jumbos stuck in holding pattern

It refers to Monarto, as well as Perth, Auckland, Melbourne and Taronga, being part of the future plans for a regional breeding population of 40 elephants (written in 2005).
 
marmolady said:
I’d love to hear from the zoo whether there are indeed plans to breed from Pak Boon (presumably with Putra Mas), as I’ve not seen confirmation either way. It would be a great shame if she’s to be retired from the breeding program.
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When I asked Taronga, they said Pak Boon hasn’t been removed from the breeding programme.

Prior to confirming the two additional elephants were Pak Boon and Tang Mo, Monarto’s website stated;

As we move to expand our herd we will work with the Asian Elephant Regional Breeding Program to increase our breeding capacity.

My impression is while Monarto want to breed, they’re accepting what they’re given (i.e. one viable female). In any case, they will have the most genetically valuable bull in the region and equal only to Anjalee, the most genetically valuable cow. I can’t envisage any reason why they wouldn’t breed them.
 
Abbey said:
This is still what it says on the elephant FAQ site of Zoos SA:

The initial two female elephants that could come to Monarto Safari Park are past breeding age.

Putra Mas (male) has already played an important role in the species’ regional breeding program, introducing new and valuable genetics into the pool. In 2018, he sired a calf through artificial insemination resulting in a female born in New South Wales. Putra Mas is still in his breeding age.

As we move to expand our herd we will work with the Asian Elephant Regional Breeding Program to increase our breeding capacity.

Which in and of itself is somewhat outdated - it's confirmed Monarto (all being well) will be receiving Burma and Permai, as well as Pak Boon and Tang Mo from Taronga.

It's a reasonable inference that there are plans to breed Pak Boon with Putra Mas (as she would be the only cow able to breed of those Monarto is planning to receive. I agree, though, that it would be nice for the zoo to confirm that this is their plan, just in case we are getting the wrong idea.

Funnily enough, when I Googled 'monarto breeding elephants', this was the second search result: Jumbos stuck in holding pattern

It refers to Monarto, as well as Perth, Auckland, Melbourne and Taronga, being part of the future plans for a regional breeding population of 40 elephants (written in 2005).
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The 2005 article is very interesting and indeed alludes to Monarto holding elephants. In 2005, Adelaide was one of the few main zoos in the region to not hold elephants, so that explains the case for Monarto holding them. Melbourne by contrast had Werribee at the back of their minds, but their investment in Trail of the Elephants demonstrated a clear intention for them to spend a decade or two at Melbourne initially (the same for Taronga, who retired their elderly elephants to Dubbo).

It would have been great if the import of more elephants had gone ahead. Auckland were planned to be a key player with plans to hold a herd of around 10 elephants in the initial stages. These plans were sadly abandoned.
 
Swanson02 said:
Worst case why don't they move Permai over separately earlier? Allows her time to bond with Burma and gives Perth extra exhibit space to deal with cycling Putra Mas.
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I was thinking the same thing, whats stopping Perth zoo from sending over permai earlier? Shes suffering a lot more then Putra Mas is and needs burma. I've heard people on facebook talking about how sad they get seeing permai sway, unstimulated and lonely. Elephants are strong animals, but there isn't an obvious reason why she can't come over earlier.

(I sound bias because I want elephants here haha, but Permai and Putra mas are separate elephants, they could go separately)
 
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Luke899 said:
I was thinking the same thing, whats stopping Perth zoo from sending over permai earlier? Shes suffering a lot more then Putra Mas is and needs friends like burma to get her out of depression. I've heard people on facebook talking about how sad and upset they get seeing permai sway, unstimulated and lonely all day. Elephants are strong animals, but there's no real reason why she can't come over earlier.

(I know I sound bias because I want elephants here haha, but like, c'mon. Permai and Putra mas are separate elephants, they can go separately
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I’m guessing as mentioned cost would be the main factor, but also taking into account the paperwork and and permits needed would be easier to organise for two elephants in one go than individually. Having both elephants leave will then allow Perth to progress with redeveloping their exhibit.

Socially, I think it would have been good for Burma and Permai to have had each other when meeting Pak Boon and Tang Mo, who will be closely bonded following two decades of living together. Even though it would be naive to imagine an instant bond, they would at least both be outcasts rather than one being on the periphery of the Taronga dyad.
 
That Aussie Guy said:
Hey all,

As per the latest Monarto Safari Park map (see here: https://www.monartosafari.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/Map-of-Monarto-Safari-Park.pdf), I've noticed a few changes, and was wondering if these were accidental omissions or if there is any news regarding said changes.

1. Black and Mesopotamian (Persian) Fallow Deer no longer found in Black Rhino paddocks
2. Zebra no longer present in "Waterhole" enclosure for Giraffe, Eland, Ostrich, and Nyala

Thanks
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I believe the zebra herd living with the giraffe were a herd of older mares, so perhaps they’ve passed on?

The male black rhinoceros were mentioned as rotating use of a paddock, so perhaps the removal of the deer is to allow both to be on display?
 
Zoofan15 said:
I believe the zebra herd living with the giraffe were a herd of older mares, so perhaps they’ve passed on?

The male black rhinoceros were mentioned as rotating use of a paddock, so perhaps the removal of the deer is to allow both to be on display?
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It would be interesting if the deer have indeed been removed from the park - Monarto are (I believe) the only holder of the species in the region at the moment. If they and the blackbuck are being kept behind the scenes, I find that too rather upsetting - it is really quite a sight to see the whole herd moving together.

I'm hoping to get to Monarto on Sunday, so I'll see if I can see them then, and maybe inquire further also.
 
That Aussie Guy said:
It would be interesting if the deer have indeed been removed from the park - Monarto are (I believe) the only holder of the species in the region at the moment. If they and the blackbuck are being kept behind the scenes, I find that too rather upsetting - it is really quite a sight to see the whole herd moving together.

I'm hoping to get to Monarto on Sunday, so I'll see if I can see them then, and maybe inquire further also.
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Would you try and inquire what the two new mystery antelope species that the park are likely to obtain, If possible?
 
Zoofan15 said:
I believe the zebra herd living with the giraffe were a herd of older mares, so perhaps they’ve passed on?
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They haven't been there for a while now. I'd presumed they'd simply been moved off display, but I guess it's equally likely they may have all passed. The group itself consisted of mares from Monarto's old breeding group in the early 2000's.
 
Went to Monarto today; below are a few updates based on what I noticed a while back regarding some species not being on the map.

- Zebra were indeed not present in the waterhole - however one was seen on the other side of a metal gate near the back of the enclosure, near where you exit to see the Bretag Homestead

- Lots of blackbuck are kept in Wild Africa, and the previous on-display herd have been moved off-display to account for construction for the Asian Elephant complex (lots of holes and construction equipment was present in the paddocks)

- Mesopotamian Fallow Deer have been moved off-display for the same reasons as above

- Enquired about possible future species, perhaps for Wild Africa, and was told that whilst there were a few ideas floating around, the main trouble is importing them. I was then told that "we" had 12 rhinos in South Africa ready to be imported, but restrictions and such were prolonging the process

EDIT: While talking to one of the volunteers, I also heard that there is still a male bongo kept off-display, as he got really shy and anxious around the buses
 
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That Aussie Guy said:
Went to Monarto today; below are a few updates based on what I noticed a while back regarding some species not being on the map.

- Zebra were indeed not present in the waterhole - however one was seen on the other side of a metal gate near the back of the enclosure, near where you exit to see the Bretag Homestead

- Lots of blackbuck are kept in Wild Africa, and the previous on-display herd have been moved off-display to account for construction for the Asian Elephant complex (lots of holes and construction equipment was present in the paddocks)

- Mesopotamian Fallow Deer have been moved off-display for the same reasons as above

- Enquired about possible future species, perhaps for Wild Africa, and was told that whilst there were a few ideas floating around, the main trouble is importing them. I was then told that "we" had 12 rhinos in South Africa ready to be imported, but restrictions and such were prolonging the process
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Thanks for the update. The report of the 12 rhinoceros is interesting as it clearly refers to the first cohort imported via the Australian Rhino Project and tells us the bulk of that cohort (15 rhinos) are going to Monarto.

While Monarto and Dubbo were previously announced to be receiving the majority of them, I’ve heard Orana are planning to retain 1.2 from the first import, meaning it appears Dubbo will only be receiving rhinos from the second or third cohort (planned at 12 monthly intervals). It also wouldn’t surprise me to see some of the 20 rhinos to follow (two batches of 10) to be dispersed to Werribee and Auckland.
 
That Aussie Guy said:
EDIT: While talking to one of the volunteers, I also heard that there is still a male bongo kept off-display, as he got really shy and anxious around the buses
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It’s good to know Isaac is still alive and well. He turned 12 in January, so hopefully has a good few years ahead of him. Imports of new species would be nice, but what the region really needs is female bongo.

Fun fact, Isaac takes his name from the scientific name of the Eastern bongo: Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci.
 
Zoofan15 said:
It’s good to know Isaac is still alive and well. He turned 12 in January, so hopefully has a good few years ahead of him. Imports of new species would be nice, but what the region really needs is female bongo.

Fun fact, Isaac takes his name from the scientific name of the Eastern bongo: Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci.
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They really are a beautiful species - shame we can't see any here in SA
 
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