Perth Zoo Tricia the elephant

[Jambo]

Yes, you are right - that jogs my memory! Abu was quite a bit older than the other two and died at a private property not long before the other two moved to Olsen's. Tania died in 2003 - possibly from a snake [ Coastal Taipan?] bite. The area at Olsen's where they were living was quite overgrown.

Rather than Gigi staying on her own, she moved to Stardust to accompany Arna - who was also on her own at that time.

Tania certainly had "behavioural issues" which were too much for the then keepers at Perth - hence her sale to Ashtons. She was very particular about her human associates! Had she stayed at the zoo one can only speculate as to her fate.

Yes, Abu died in 2002 at a private property (not Olsens) due to age related illness. She was 67!

Tania died in 2003 due to a liver condition (she was 46). Gigi presumably lived at Olsens with Tania, and was sent to Stardust to join Arna. From there, the girls were sent to Dubbo, where Gigi died in 2019.

I'm assuming Olsen's was only a temporary home for the girls, considering it was a rather small, overgrown park. Most circuses were known to often leave some of their elephants at a park for what could be, extended periods of time.

 

[Zoofan15]

Perth Zoo have advised Putra Mas and Permai are coping well following the loss of Tricia:

Perth Zoo gives elephant update after Tricia’s death

We wanted to let you know that Permai and Putra Mas are doing really well. The keepers are so proud of how the elephants have coped with the loss of Tricia, and are giving them lots of love and affection.

I would have expected Putra Mas to have coped well given his detachment from the female herd, but it’s good to know Permai is coping with Tricia’s loss. Her keepers have surely been a strong source of support for her at this time.

The zoo have also shared this photo, that I thought would be of interest to people (especially @steveroberts, who mentioned it the other day). You can see Putra Mas’ tusks coming through:


Photo source: Perth Zoo

 

[steveroberts]

@Zoofan15 Beautiful photo man, glad Permai and Putra Mas are doing good

 

[Jambo]

Perth Zoo have advised Putra Mas and Permai are coping well following the loss of Tricia:

Perth Zoo gives elephant update after Tricia’s death

We wanted to let you know that Permai and Putra Mas are doing really well. The keepers are so proud of how the elephants have coped with the loss of Tricia, and are giving them lots of love and affection.

I would have expected Putra Mas to have coped well given his detachment from the female herd, but it’s good to know Permai is coping with Tricia’s loss. Her keepers have surely been a strong source of support for her at this time.

The zoo have also shared this photo, that I thought would be of interest to people (especially @steveroberts, who mentioned it the other day). You can see Putra Mas’ tusks coming through:

View attachment 557775
Photo source: Perth Zoo

Wonderful photo of all four. It's good to know Permai's doing well, i'd imagine Perth's keepers are now focusing all their attention on her and making sure she receives attention and support.

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15 Beautiful photo man, glad Permai and Putra Mas are doing good

Wonderful photo of all four. It's good to know Permai's doing well, i'd imagine Perth's keepers are now focusing all their attention on her and making sure she receives attention and support.

Thank you!

While they have a deep emotional depth, elephants are resilient and I’m confident Permai will come through this with the support of those caring for her.

In the meantime, I hope Auckland Zoo and Perth Zoo will be having some conversations about Burma joining Permai in Perth.

 

[Jambo]

Thank you!

While they have a deep emotional depth, elephants are resilient and I’m confident Permai will come through this with the support of those caring for her.

In the meantime, I hope Auckland Zoo and Perth Zoo will be having some conversations about Burma joining Permai in Perth.

It would've came as a shock for Permai, but she'll slowly be getting used to life without Tricia. It's such a large event considering Tricia was a mother figure to Permai.

I would be surprised if Auckland and Perth weren't in talks considering sending Burma to Perth, as it's in the best interest for both facilities and their elephants.

 

[Zoofan15]

It would've came as a shock for Permai, but she'll slowly be getting used to life without Tricia. It's such a large event considering Tricia was a mother figure to Permai.

I would be surprised if Auckland and Perth weren't in talks considering sending Burma to Perth, as it's in the best interest for both facilities and their elephants.

It’s interesting to note that Permai will likely be the last elephant in the region left alone via the death of a herd mate. Historically, this was a common occurrence for elephants in zoos like Auckland, who always kept a pair.

Going forward, elephants will have the support of multiple elephants within their large matriarchal herds - at Dubbo and Werribee.

If Burma and Permai can’t be accommodated at Werribee (which I believe is the best option for them), they’ll be exported; and the two remaining elephants left in a pair (Pak Boon and Tang Mo) will likely rejoin their matriarchal herd in a few years (upon completion of the new barn/yard) - meaning no female elephant will live outside of a matriarchal herd in Australasia again.