Monarto Safari Park Monarto Safari Park News 2025

Luke899 said:
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It’s good to see Permai gaining confidence in her surroundings. Her anxiety has been the main stumbling block in the slow progress made in integrating her with Burma.

With the Taronga cows due to arrive next week, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Permai retreat back into her shell; but hopefully this will be a minor setback ahead of some long term gains.

Bearing in mind the keepers’ expectation is that Burma will fulfill the matriarch role and it’s easy to see how Permai has found the senior/dominant elephant imposing. Bringing in Tang Mo, a playful and non-assuming cow may be just what Permai needs to engage with the herd and her surroundings.
 
Elephants due to arrive April 30:

From Taronga’s socials:

The trunks are all packed and the Eles have departed Taronga Zoo Sydney.

We estimate the trip to take approximately 22 hours and anticipate arriving in SA on Wednesday 30 April. Tang Mo and Pak Boon are being accompanied by an expert team comprising of veterinarians and keepers who will monitor them closely throughout the journey.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Elephants due to arrive April 30:

From Taronga’s socials:

The trunks are all packed and the Eles have departed Taronga Zoo Sydney.

We estimate the trip to take approximately 22 hours and anticipate arriving in SA on Wednesday 30 April. Tang Mo and Pak Boon are being accompanied by an expert team comprising of veterinarians and keepers who will monitor them closely throughout the journey.
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Hopefully they have a film team with them!
 
Elephant arrival update:

The elephants are due to arrive mid-morning (Adelaide time).

From socials:

While we couldn’t bring you all along on the journey, here’s a little snippet of Asian Elephant Tang Mo popping her trunk out to keepers for a road trip snack during a scheduled rest break whilst we are en route across states.

Taronga Zoo Sydney’s two Asian Elephants are due to arrive to their new home at Monarto Safari Park mid-morning!
 
The elephants are now in South Australia (almost there):

From socials:

Touching base while touching down in South Australia The final check-in with Tang Mo and Pak Boon and Taronga’s dedicated keepers before our last leg to their new home and herd.

Thank you to everyone who we see on the way and for respecting our priority to get these girls unloaded and unpacked to finish off this smooth journey from Taronga Zoo Sydney to Monarto Safari Park.
 
Zoofan15 said:
The elephants are now in South Australia (almost there):

From socials:

Touching base while touching down in South Australia The final check-in with Tang Mo and Pak Boon and Taronga’s dedicated keepers before our last leg to their new home and herd.

Thank you to everyone who we see on the way and for respecting our priority to get these girls unloaded and unpacked to finish off this smooth journey from Taronga Zoo Sydney to Monarto Safari Park.
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Do we know if the exhibit/complex is finished yet?
 
Zorro said:
Do we know if the exhibit/complex is finished yet?
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I don’t believe it fully completed, with the finishing touches needed on some of the paddocks (there’s a total of five outdoor spaces); and some work still needed on the bull barn and yards.

Monarto will obviously have the capacity the keep the cows in three groups (Burma; Permai; and Pak Boon/Tang Mo), so we can assume the majority of the cow facilities (including outdoor) are completed.
 
Luke899 said:
Tang Mo and Pak boom have arrived and been offloaded. They’re now in separated pen and will meet Burma and Permai through the bars.
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Home at last .... Home at long last (a. variety on the theme Free at last .... Free at long last)!

I am sure the curatorial and zoo keeping team know what priorirties they have next! Keep my fingers crossed for some positive vibes from first messages and Communications out and that within 1-2 years there is a functional herd out of all different sources ... and big fingers crossed positive noises from elephants in breeding mode and perhaps even a pregnant cow or what...
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
Home at last .... Home at long last (a. variety on the theme Free at last .... Free at long last)!

I am sure the curatorial and zoo keeping team know what priorirties they have next! Keep my fingers crossed for some positive vibes from first messages and Communications out and that within 1-2 years there is a functional herd out of all different sources ... and big fingers crossed positive noises from elephants in breeding mode and perhaps even a pregnant cow or what...
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I really hope they intend to breed and that they don’t delay attempting to breed from Pak Boon much longer considering it’s been eight years since she last had a calf. Whether it’s breeding naturally with Putra Mas; or having to undertake AI, she’s the future of their herd in every sense and at the current moment in time, their only chance to establish the multigenerational herd that’s so widely recognised as optimal for welfare.
 
Zoofan15 said:
I really hope they intend to breed and that they don’t delay attempting to breed from Pak Boon much longer considering it’s been eight years since she last had a calf. Whether it’s breeding naturally with Putra Mas; or having to undertake AI, she’s the future of their herd in every sense and at the current moment in time, their only chance to establish the multigenerational herd that’s so widely recognised as optimal for welfare.
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Now onward and upwards the biggest move of all the transport of Putra Mas to Monarto zoo, I will be following every step and fingers and toes crossed he arrives in one piece!
 
Zorro said:
Now onward and upwards the biggest move of all the transport of Putra Mas to Monarto zoo, I will be following every step and fingers and toes crossed he arrives in one piece!
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Due to his history, there’s been more trepidation around transferring Putra Mas than the entire Zoos Victoria herd. I too hope it goes off without a hitch as it’ll be such a positive move for him from a welfare perspective; and ideally provide opportunities to breed, benefiting the regional population immensely.

Last I heard, his transfer is scheduled for June, so not long to go now!
 
Luke899 said:
Tang Mo and Pak boom have arrived and been offloaded. They’re now in separated pen and will meet Burma and Permai through the bars.
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The elephants actually passed through Melbourne yesterday night - and would've gone right past Werribee's herd. I do wonder whether they would have been able to sense elephants close by (although that would have been only for a short amount of time) as the trucks zipped past on the highway.

Anyhow, it's really positive news to hear that the elephants have arrived. Hopefully they've settled in well, and we receive an update on them and any initial interactions they've had with both Burma and Permai, through the bars ect. I'd imagine that the female they'd be allowed physical contact with initially through the bars would be Burma - considering Permai's uncertain character.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Due to his history, there’s been more trepidation around transferring Putra Mas than the entire Zoos Victoria herd. I too hope it goes off without a hitch as it’ll be such a positive move for him from a welfare perspective; and ideally provide opportunities to breed, benefiting the regional population immensely.

Last I heard, his transfer is scheduled for June, so not long to go now!
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I seem to remember that a move in a European zoo in resent years of an adult bull resulted in the bull dying in the crate its no easy task!
 
Announcement by Zoos SA of the elephant’s arrival:

After a jumbo journey, we're so excited to announce that Pak Boon and Tang Mo have arrived safely!

The 22-hour, 1300km trip was a smooth and comfortable one for both girls, who are now resting in the elephant barn and acclimatising to the sights, sounds and smells of the Mallee Plains.

Both Pak Boon and Tang Mo walked calmly out of their crates and into the barn, where their keepers are now settling them in with a bath.
 
Jambo said:
The elephants actually passed through Melbourne yesterday night - and would've gone right past Werribee's herd. I do wonder whether they would have been able to sense elephants close by (although that would have been only for a short amount of time) as the trucks zipped past on the highway.

Anyhow, it's really positive news to hear that the elephants have arrived. Hopefully they've settled in well, and we receive an update on them and any initial interactions they've had with both Burma and Permai, through the bars ect. I'd imagine that the female they'd be allowed physical contact with initially through the bars would be Burma - considering Permai's uncertain character.
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If they came with in 10km ish they would have been able to directly communicate or at the least pick up any low frequency communication taking place.

Let's hope for a smooth transitional period. It will be interesting to see how Permai behaves with elephants more in her age bracket. And also one that is an actual matriarch. I wonder whether the dominance will calm/settle her nerves etc down. As now there are multiple females as well with one being used to being in the lead.
 
Tiger91 said:
If they came with in 10km ish they would have been able to directly communicate or at the least pick up any low frequency communication taking place.

Let's hope for a smooth transitional period. It will be interesting to see how Permai behaves with elephants more in her age bracket. And also one that is an actual matriarch. I wonder whether the dominance will calm/settle her nerves etc down. As now there are multiple females as well with one being used to being in the lead.
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It’s a very interesting scenario as while a number of us (including myself) are predicting Pak Boon will assume the role of matriarch, the keepers are anticipating this will in fact be Burma. She was matriarch of Auckland’s duo and hasn’t been subordinate to another elephant since Kashin passed in 2009, so it’s a strong possibility.

Pak Boon has a strong personality, but conceded leadership of the herd to Porntip, who emerged as matriarch early on.

I look forward to hearing updates from Monarto’s keepers as introductions progress between the four cows.
 
Zoofan15 said:
It’s a very interesting scenario as while a number of us (including myself) are predicting Pak Boon will assume the role of matriarch, the keepers are anticipating this will in fact be Burma. She was matriarch of Auckland’s duo and hasn’t been subordinate to another elephant since Kashin passed in 2009, so it’s a strong possibility.

Pak Boon has a strong personality, but conceded leadership of the herd to Porntip, who emerged as matriarch early on.
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Yes it will be interesting to watch. I didn't realise Burma isnt actually that much older, for some reason I thought she had a decent age gap between her and Permai.
Being that she is only middle aged she may try to take on the matriarchal role. I wouldn't be surprised to see Pat Boon take it on if she starts breeding and has daughters down the line.
 
Tiger91 said:
Yes it will be interesting to watch. I didn't realise Burma isnt actually that much older, for some reason I thought she had a decent age gap between her and Permai.
Being that she is only middle aged she may try to take on the matriarchal role. I wouldn't be surprised to see Pat Boon take it on if she starts breeding and has daughters down the line.
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The ages of Monarto’s four cows are as follows:

0.1 Burma (1982) Imported 1990
0.1 Permai (1989) Imported 1992
0.1 Pak Boon (1992) Imported 2006
0.1 Tang Mo (1999) Imported 2006

If Pak Boon establishes her own matriline that will at the very least become her focus socially. Dokkoon and Mali (mother and daughter) at Werribee spend the majority of their time together (along with their calves). Tang Mo doted on the Taronga cows, so I’d anticipate she’d be a similarly strong support to Pak Boon in the early years. They’ve lived together for close to two decades at Taronga and have a very strong bond.
 
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