Monarto Safari Park Monarto Safari Park News 2025

Jaiden said:
Since there have been no news about Permai today I think she would ether leave tonight or early morning tomorrow.
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I’m hopeful both zoos will provide updates given Monarto Safari Park previously announced on socials that Burma was at the airport and on her way to Monarto (as oppposed to delaying the announcement until she’d arrived).

The temperatures in Perth and Adelaide indicate leaving early Monday morning and arriving in the afternoon of Tuesday would be favourable, but we will have to wait and see. My prediction is for an update from Perth during business hours of the day of departure that Permai left the building several hours ago; with Monarto providing updates henceforth.
 
Jaiden said:
My guess is that she will leave Perth at 9:30 or 10:00 o’clock Monday the 26th
And arrive at Monarto Safari park mid Afternoon. And she will be able to be viewed by the public the 26th of February.
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we’ll probably be able to see permai earlier then February 26th right @Zoofan15 ? I don’t think she needs a quarantine. It’ll more so be whether we see permai with Burma or not, rather then not seeing permai at all.

They need to become friends.
 
Luke899 said:
we’ll probably be able to see permai earlier then February 26th right @Zoofan15 ? I don’t think she needs a quarantine. It’ll more so be whether we see permai with Burma or not, rather then not seeing permai at all.

They need to become friends.
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I’m open to correction, but I believe quarantine will be required as when rhinoceros were transferred inter-state from Australia Zoo to Monarto Safari Park; and more recently from Monarto Safari Park to Taronga Western Plains Zoo, a month long quarantine was noted to be a requirement.
 
Zoofan15 said:
I’m open to correction, but I believe quarantine will be required as when rhinoceros were transferred inter-state from Australia Zoo to Monarto Safari Park; and more recently from Monarto Safari Park to Taronga Western Plains Zoo, a month long quarantine was noted to be a requirement.
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Quarantining for most species moved within Australia is not normally a legislated requirement.

However, most zoos choose to isolate an incoming animal just to be on the safe side. Isolation may not necessarily be to the same level as legislated quarantine.
 
Luke899 said:
On that note, would be interested to know what safeguards have been put in place at Monarto for a EEHV outbreak. I would assume it’s standard practice to have an emergency plan.
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The main danger zone is 2-8 years (with Melbourne’s keepers advising on my visit that they had increased routine monitoring to 15 years, following Man Jai’s death at the age of 10 years. Monarto’s herd are all adults aged 25-43 years, so are not considered high risk.

The main defence for facilities with calves (which one day could apply to Monarto) is routine/regular testing as once symptoms are presenting, it’s typically too late to save the calf. Mek Kepah at Zoos Victoria is a plasma donor, with plasma transfusions part of a successful treatment protocol that has been followed by a number of zoos worldwide. I’ll note that the mortality rate (even with treatment) remains high.

Progession on the EEHV vaccine trial has progressed immensely in recent years, with numerous elephants overseas having received a trial vaccine. This gives hope a vaccine could be developed long term as a further preventative measure.
 
Luke899 said:
we’ll probably be able to see permai earlier then February 26th right @Zoofan15 ? I don’t think she needs a quarantine. It’ll more so be whether we see permai with Burma or not, rather then not seeing permai at all.

They need to become friends.
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It will also depend on how she integrates with Burma. If they take a let her settle in then start the integration process. He could well be right and a month wouldn't unexpected unless they have a yard the public can view her in that is seperate to Burmas. But they may keep her of display while she settles in as well.
 
Tiger91 said:
It will also depend on how she integrates with Burma. If they take a let her settle in then start the integration process. He could well be right and a month wouldn't unexpected unless they have a yard the public can view her in that is seperate to Burmas. But they may keep her of display while she settles in as well.
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There are multiple yards that are currently viewable to the public. In the event Permai fails to integrate with Burma or the integration takes more time than expected, you will still be able to see her from the walking trail.
 
Permai departing Perth Zoo shortly:

Permai will be departing Perth Zoo shortly.

The trip, which will take at least 29 hours (and that’s not including stops) could see her arrive late Tuesday at Monarto Safari Park.

Safe travels Permai! And congratulations to the Perth team with their excellent work with crate training.

Edit: Permai has now left the zoo - as reported by @Jaiden, who visited Perth Zoo today
 
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Official announcement of Permai's departure this morning via email;

We’re excited to share that Permai has officially left Perth Zoo and is now on her way to Monarto Safari Park!

Her move marks an important milestone in our efforts to build a dynamic Asian Elephant herd right here in South Australia.

Upon arrival, Permai will be given time to settle in and adjust to her new environment. This quiet period will ensure she feels comfortable and secure before meeting Burma and exploring her new habitat.

We know how eager everyone is to meet Permai, but we kindly ask for your patience and understanding during this critical acclimation period. Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for updates on when she’ll be ready to greet visitors!


Very exciting times and I can't wait to see how she settles in and bonds with Burma. Both cows haven't seen another elephant in a few years now so it would be very exciting for both!
 
Luke899 said:
7news saying permai should pull into Monarto by Wednesday in the early hours
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It’s great timing in that temperatures will be cooler and traffic a fraction of what you’d expect to see during the day; but nonetheless, I’ll miss the extensive media coverage and mass of photos uploaded by the general public that we saw when Burma arrived in the afternoon.

Presumably hype would be less second time round, with Burma being the first elephant at Zoos SA in 30 years; though I’m sure the long awaited introduction of Burma and Permai will make for a great story in itself.

Around six months from now and Monarto will hopefully receive their first ever bull elephant!
 
Zoofan15 said:
It’s great timing in that temperatures will be cooler and traffic a fraction of what you’d expect to see during the day; but nonetheless, I’ll miss the extensive media coverage and mass of photos uploaded by the general public that we saw when Burma arrived in the afternoon.

Presumably hype would be less second time round, with Burma being the first elephant at Zoos SA in 30 years; though I’m sure the long awaited introduction of Burma and Permai will make for a great story in itself.

Around six months from now and Monarto will hopefully receive their first ever bull elephant!
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7news and 9news (especially 7news) went a little over the top for Burma. The channel 7 reporter for the elephant arrivals name is Casey Treloar is a farmer’s daughter and covered Burmas arrival extensively. I’m sure she will be there for permai and the other Ellie’s. If not I’d recommend watching Jody Polso’s (Permai’s senior keeper) instagram stories and posts, and obviously Monarto socials respectively.
 
Further details on Monarto’s plans:

Last Perth Zoo elephant begins journey to Monarto Safari Park - Australasian Leisure Management

Permai’s senior keeper (Jody Polson) will be working at Monarto Safari Park for the next 6-12 months to assist Permai in settling in. Like the Auckland team, Jody has extensive experience with elephants, having worked with Permai for the past 10 years. She will be an invaluable asset to the team.

This part of the article implies consideration is indeed being given to breeding from the herd:

With male Asian elephant Putra Mas set to follow later in the year, the pair will live in an enclosure that will eventually house five elephants. The group will then have sufficient diversity for breeding.

@Swanson02 has kindly offered to ask around the possibility of AI should Putra Mas not prove an capable natural breeder as in the interested of establishing a multigenerational herd, it would be preferable to Putra Mas and Pak Boon to breed.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Further details on Monarto’s plans:

Last Perth Zoo elephant begins journey to Monarto Safari Park - Australasian Leisure Management

Permai’s senior keeper (Jody Polson) will be working at Monarto Safari Park for the next 6-12 months to assist Permai in settling in. Like the Auckland team, Jody has extensive experience with elephants, having worked with Permai for the past 10 years. She will be an invaluable asset to the team.

This part of the article implies consideration is indeed being given to breeding from the herd:

With male Asian elephant Putra Mas set to follow later in the year, the pair will live in an enclosure that will eventually house five elephants. The group will then have sufficient diversity for breeding.

@Swanson02 has kindly offered to ask around the possibility of AI should Putra Mas not prove an capable natural breeder as in the interested of establishing a multigenerational herd, it would be preferable to Putra Mas and Pak Boon to breed.
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I can see Jody (and some other keepers) moving permanently to Monarto, and getting offered permanent positions like Andrew Coers. As you say, truly invaluable assests to herd. Also I think the thought of leaving permai would be too much to bear for her keepers, so I think they’ll stay.
 
Luke899 said:
I can see Jody (and some other keepers) moving permanently to Monarto, and getting offered permanent positions like Andrew Coers. As you say, truly invaluable assests to herd. Also I think the thought of leaving permai would be too much to bear for her keepers, so I think they’ll stay.
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Absolutely. I noticed with the Auckland keepers, they were initially said to be staying for a similar time period (until Burma was settled in); and then it was announced the three of them would be staying on permanently. It’s understandable having emigrated from New Zealand that they’d want time to assess whether the move was right for them and their families and to Monarto’s benefit, decided to stay on.

Monarto will need qualified elephant keepers and who better than those who have worked with these elephants for over a decade. It would also have been a huge adjustment for them to step into a different role were they to remain at Auckland/Perth given the zoos are phasing out elephants. I don’t doubt working with any species is a privilege, but once they’ve worked with elephants, I’m sure they’d struggle to imagine working with anything else. :)
 
Zoofan15 said:
Absolutely. I noticed with the Auckland keepers, they were initially said to be staying for a similar time period (until Burma was settled in); and then it was announced the three of them would be staying on permanently. It’s understandable having emigrated from New Zealand that they’d want time to assess whether the move was right for them and their families and to Monarto’s benefit, decided to stay on.

Monarto will need qualified elephant keepers and who better than those who have worked with these elephants for over a decade. It would also have been a huge adjustment for them to step into a different role were they to remain at Auckland/Perth given the zoos are phasing out elephants. I don’t doubt working with any species is a privilege, but once they’ve worked with elephants, I’m sure they’d struggle to imagine working with anything else. :)
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Thats fantastic though they have been offered to stay and have accepted, Burma will be so happy to still have her friends and sure they feel the same way about still seeing Burma all the time, and hopefully the same offer to Jody for Permai.
 
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