The Gorillas are in a much better place too
Johnpaul21
Well-Known Member
I believe its just the night quarters that will be redeveloped as that is a very old building (late 1960's - 1970's) I'm pretty sure. The Zoo will continue to breed once it has been redeveloped- Teliti, Pulang, Lestari ect.....
The masterplan concept art implied a redevelopment (or even new exhibit), fully netted and connected by enclosed overhead pathways. You visit regularly, so would have a better idea if that’s still on the cards, but that was my understanding.
Sekara is 35 years old, so it’s unfortunate she’ll be pushing 40 years by the time anything gets done. She’s a fantastic mother and would have been a textbook example to the nulliparous females in the colony on how to rear young. That’s one of the many benefits about the Perth set up is that it enables females to observe each other raising offspring.
Putra Mas has Left the Building
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
ramsayi
Well-Known Member
i was just coming to post he left today, a friend of mine saw him leaving and let me know
Agreed absolutely! Honestly, it does not make sense ..., especially since one of the major zoos was involved even in reintroduction of captive-born orang utan back to the wild.
It is a major disappointment that while the gorilla program is an offshoot without new bloodlines of the EAZA/EEP surplus, the orang utan population could and should be regionally sustainable as well as continue breeding unabatted by anything other than considerations for the regional population.
Once more, the draconian horse may rear its ugly head of an ageing population becoming a reproductively senescent one and implode with as net result a die out/phase out policy. It is high time curatioral management take a more positive stand vis a vis regional needs as well as more global considerations for orang utan GSMP.
Johnpaul21
Well-Known Member
According to this interview, a larger air conditioner was installed for Putra Mas (Permai had a smaller one).
The air conditioning unit is designed to keep Putra Mas at 21 Degrees throughout his journey.
The logistics of transporting Perth Zoo's last elephant - ABC listen
Putra Mas is expected to arrive at Monarto Safari Park
shortly before midday, as reported by @Zorro.
Presumably he has gone on ahead to Monarto as Putra Mas isn't there yet?
He likely wasn't apart of Putra Mas's direct transfer team; and instead flew into Adelaide, where he'll await Putra Mas's arrival, and is electing to help the big bull settle in when he arrives tomorrow morning.
Putra Mas is scheduled to arrive shortly after midday tomorrow, so I can't wait to hear Monarto (and Perth) announce that he's safely arrived and on site.
Johnpaul21
Well-Known Member
Well that was quick! I wonder if breeding is still on the cards?
He will probably spend the first few weeks settling in but then I wonder what the next plan is......
All zoos involved have been very tight-lipped on breeding plans, but given Monarto now hold the most genetically valuable male and female elephant in Australia, I would hope breeding is on the cards.
The birth of a calf to this pair would be a rare occasion (even within an international context) where a male calf would be as welcome a female calf due to the countless applications said bull would have to the breeding programme.
To all the Perth based ZooChatters, I hope the absence of the elephants isn’t felt too keenly now Putra Mas has left. I can relate (with Auckland Zoo’s last elephant also being the last in New Zealand); though I’ve definitely got used to not seeing elephants on my visits and find myself just as excited to see the other species that remain there.
Johnpaul21
Well-Known Member
Thats true that you will get used to it, but loosing Sombaar, Kigana, Jaya and now Putra Mas- The Zoo is going to feel pretty empty!
Thats true that you will get used to it, but loosing Sombaar, Kigana, Jaya and now Putra Mas- The Zoo is going to feel pretty empty!
The passing of Jaya (Perth Zoo’s last Sumatran tiger) was particularly unfortunate timing given the phase out of the elephants (though acknowledging Jaya lived several years beyond what was expected).
In contrast to Taronga Zoo, which has Sydney Zoo within an hour’s drive (as well as multiple smaller zoos such as Mogo within NSW), Perth zoo has no real competition within Western Australia and so I don’t anticipate visitation will suffer. I do however look forward to the long awaited redevelopment of their orangutan and tiger facilities. These species (along with the lions and the ageing pair of sun bears) will be their stars going forward.
Johnpaul21
Well-Known Member
That's right, the zoo has a very aging colony of animals....
referring back to 2010's there was loads of annual births and imports, now there has only been a new Tree kangaroo and Koala Joey in the recent years.... (Not including Giraffes before Armani passed)
referring back to 2010's there was loads of annual births and imports, now there has only been a new Tree kangaroo and Koala Joey in the recent years.... (Not including Giraffes before Armani passed)
Johnpaul21
Well-Known Member
From Socials:
Elephant Manager Andrew Coers shares how the 35-year-old bull is resting, eating well, and exploring his new surroundings with quiet confidence. “He’s relaxed, eating and drinking, and already making the barn his own,” says Andrew.
- He has also been out in his yard watching the females- Burma showing particular interest in the photo below
Elephant Manager Andrew Coers shares how the 35-year-old bull is resting, eating well, and exploring his new surroundings with quiet confidence. “He’s relaxed, eating and drinking, and already making the barn his own,” says Andrew.
- He has also been out in his yard watching the females- Burma showing particular interest in the photo below
Attachments
Farewell message from Perth Zoo:
Perth Zoo have posted a final farewell message to Putra Mas, implied to be an end to their communication on elephants as they settle into the new lives at Monarto Safari Park; and Perth Zoo looks to the future.
From socials:
Moving Putra Mas has been a whole Zoo effort over a number of years and we’re so proud of our incredible teams for making it happen. And a jumbo thank you to YOU, our amazing Perth Zoo community You’ve blown us away with your love and support over the past few days, and we’ve loved interacting with all of you!
It’s a bittersweet time for us to say goodbye to elephants but knowing we have the community support means the world to us. Thank you for understanding why we made this decision, it’s always been about putting the elephants first
Now that Putra Mas is settling in at Monarto Safari Park, we’re going to take a much-needed rest! Thanks again for all your love and support over this mammoth week.
Perth Zoo have posted a final farewell message to Putra Mas, implied to be an end to their communication on elephants as they settle into the new lives at Monarto Safari Park; and Perth Zoo looks to the future.
From socials:
Moving Putra Mas has been a whole Zoo effort over a number of years and we’re so proud of our incredible teams for making it happen. And a jumbo thank you to YOU, our amazing Perth Zoo community You’ve blown us away with your love and support over the past few days, and we’ve loved interacting with all of you!
It’s a bittersweet time for us to say goodbye to elephants but knowing we have the community support means the world to us. Thank you for understanding why we made this decision, it’s always been about putting the elephants first
Now that Putra Mas is settling in at Monarto Safari Park, we’re going to take a much-needed rest! Thanks again for all your love and support over this mammoth week.
ramsayi
Well-Known Member
went for a quick zoo trip today to have a look just at the reptiles and birds, alot of the wetland birds are nesting at the moment , was able to see that the Brolga has laid two eggs this year.
hoping that atleast one hatches this year as i know in years past the eggs laid havn't hatched.
hoping that atleast one hatches this year as i know in years past the eggs laid havn't hatched.