Welcome to Perth Zoo

Home is where the herd is. 

There's a new regional elephant herd coming to our friends at Monarto Safari Park in South Australia and Permai and Putra Mas will be its founding herd members!
 
You might remember, in 2018 we first announced our two elephants would be rehomed following the passing of matriarch Tricia. 

That's because our female Permai needs to be living with other female elephants. While our keepers provide exemplary love and care, our South Perth site can't accommodate a functioning herd with multiple individuals. 

The new habitat at Monarto Safari Park is 12 hectares, giving the elephants more room to roam. And in the future, Monarto Safari Park will be home to up to five elephants! 

Fellow female elephant Burma was the first to arrive from New Zealand, and now Permai has arrived at her forever home at Monarto Safari Park too!

You can still come and visit male elephant Putra Mas at Perth Zoo. He won't be making his journey to South Australia until mid-late 2025. 

 
 

We love our elephants and that’s why we’re putting their needs first. 

Elephants have social structure needs that Permai has been missing since her best friend Tricia passed away. 

We know the WA community cares about Permai and Putra Mas as much as we do. While we will miss them, we know this is best for their welfare.

Our animal experts meticulously searched for a place that can provide opportunity for the proper herd structure needed and plenty of room to roam - we know Monarto Safari Park will give them just that. 

Creating a new herd in South Australia supports the long-term sustainability of the regional elephant conservation program.
 
It will enable more people to experience elephants and learn about them, to support the vital work we do to protect the species and ensure they remain for future generations.

Tiny steps lead to a jumbo journey

Moving elephants is a mammoth task!

That’s why our animal carers have been taking tiny steps every day to help prepare Permai and Putra Mas for their jumbo journeys.

Ahead of any travel, it’s important to get an animal used to their transport crate so they view it as their own safe zone!

Our expert elephant carers have been carrying out daily crate training with both Permai and Putra Mas.

The training involves the elephants being offered the choice to walk into the crate, and while inside, they are offered plenty of delicious foods and words of encouragement to ensure it’s a positive experience.
 

Tiny steps lead to a jumbo journey for Perth Zoo's elephants

 






 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

+ How and when will the elephants move?

+ How safe will it be to transport the elephants? Will they be OK?

+ Can’t WA build an open-range zoo and move our elephants there?

+ Why are you removing elephants from Perth?

+ What will be put in the exhibit that the elephants vacate?

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