Wild Art

Elephant Art

Elephants are natural artists. They are well known to doodle in the dirt with sticks. Ele Art is a stunning by-product of Perth Zoo’s enrichment program for elephants. Our enrichment program involves a wide array of behavioural and physical activities that keep our elephants stimulated and their days varied and interesting.

The paints used are animal friendly and are 100% non-toxic. Each piece is an original and no two pieces are ever the same. Each elephant has their own painting ‘signature’, painting with their own distinctive style.

As well as their main painting styles of brush, spray and elephant trunk kisses, the elephants add their own touches to these by roller painting, single pot painting, four pot painting and directional style painting.

Funds raised from the sale of each masterpiece helps Perth Zoo protect Sumatran Elephants in the wild. This includes supporting local patrol units to monitor and protect one of the last remaining herds of Sumatran Elephants in the world within the Bukit Tigapuluh Ecosystem.

How is the elephant art produced?

Our elephants take part in exercise and enrichment programs to keep them physically and mentally healthy. All of our enrichment programs are assessed by veterinary teams and zoologists using an animal welfare framework.

Our keepers are highly skilled experts. They enjoy close relationships with our animals based on trust and respect, which is why our elephants love participating in painting activities. It is a very positive, exciting and stimulating experience for them.

Tricia

Tricia’s artwork is delicate and gentle and often ends up with irregular-shaped splatters, she is also known for her beautiful elephant kisses. Tricia recently celebrated her 60th birthday and enjoys daily walks around the Zoo plus therapeutic massages to assist with age-related aches and pains. Tricia is our big solar panel – where the sun is shining, you'll find Tricia standing and soaking it up.

Permai

Permai enthusiastic sprays are very powerful and can vary from fine symmetrical shapes to large globs of paint. Being extremely food motivated, Permai learns new behaviours very quickly when encouraged with food rewards. She is a cheeky elephant full of energy, constantly wanting to help her keepers. She’s also known as the resident horticulturist, regularly trimming around her yard.

Putra Mas

Putra Mas’ sprays can be very powerful with symmetrical and even distribution of colour on his canvas. You may hear Putra Mas during the day. He makes so many different noises from squeaks and trumpets to loud rumbles, especially when one of his keepers greets him. At Perth Zoo, we ensure we give our boy the stimulation, exercise and equipment he needs to keep his mind and body healthy and occupied.

Spray, kiss or brush – what’ll it be?

Ele Sprays. Ele Kisses. Ele Paintings. All in a variety of sizes and colours for you to choose from and all with individual personality.

Each stylish piece of Ele Art is unique and comes with a certificate of authenticity so that you can be confident it’s an original.

Ele Spray Painting

The elephants know how to pick up water and spray themselves down. They do this to cool themselves down. Our elephant team have slightly modified that natural behaviour to allow us to do the spray paintings.

Ele Brush Painting

Elephants know how to draw in the sand with sticks and rocks and our team has slightly modified this behaviour to drawing on the easel.

Ele Kiss Painting

One of the most popular of our elephant artwork range, our resident artists pucker up and give you a kiss to remember – on paper of course!

Ele Footprint

These original footprints get a BIG stamp of approval from our Eles!
Ele footprints are so artistic, they can almost be mistaken for a botanical plant.
Put a couple of tonne on your wall – it will be a talking point.

Purchase Ele Art

You can choose from a range of Perth Zoo Ele Art. If you’re looking for something a little different, arrange an appointment for a private viewing to see our full range of Ele Art.

Contact 08 9474 0444 or partnerships@perthzoo.wa.gov.au.

View all available works

A5 Spray or brush

$46

A5 Kiss

$79

A4 Spray or Brush

$85

A4 Double Kiss

$90

Triple Kiss with Spray

$245

A3 Spray or Brush

$231

A2 Spray, Brush or Footprint

$565

A1 Spray or Brush

$822

Jumbo Spray or Brush (1,300 x 700)

$1,233

View all available works

Photographic Art

Award-winning and internationally renowned animal photographer Alex Cearns is the Creative Director of Houndstooth Studio. Her images have been published widely in print and online media worldwide as well as in books, magazines and advertising campaigns. There’s even an Australia Post stamp collection! Inspired by the joy of working with animals, Alex’s philanthropy and passionate advocacy for animal rescue has earned her high regard among Australia’s animal lovers.