Perth Zoo says farewell to female elephant Permai, who is bound for South Australia

Perth Zoo’s Permai Embarks on New Adventure to Monarto Safari Park

Perth Zoo has bid farewell to its last remaining female elephant, Permai, as she embarks on a journey to a new life at South Australia’s monarto Safari Park. Teh move, after months of careful readiness, sees Permai leave her familiar surroundings for a fresh start with a new herd.

The process of relocation was meticulously planned to ensure Permai’s safety and well-being.After being gently coaxed into a specially designed crate, she was carefully lifted onto a waiting truck, ready for the long but hopefully comfortable journey.

Permai is expected to arrive at her new home in South Australia on Wednesday morning.

This relocation marks a significant chapter in Permai’s life and signifies Perth Zoo’s commitment to providing optimal care for its animals.

Perth Zoo’s Elephants Begin a New Chapter in South Australia

Perth Zoo is bidding farewell to its beloved elephant trio—Permai, Tricia, and their calf Putra—as they embark on an exciting journey south to Monarto Safari Park in South Australia.the move marks a new chapter for these gentle giants,promising them a spacious and enriching habitat.

Permai, Tricia, and Putra will be welcomed into a sprawling 14-hectare open-range enclosure at Monarto safari Park, a space almost the size of Perth Zoo itself. This vast playground is designed to mimic their natural habitat, providing ample room for roaming, socializing, and engaging in their natural behaviors. The park ultimately aims to house five elephants, establishing a thriving elephant sanctuary.

For Jody Polson, Permai’s dedicated elephant keeper, the move is both exciting and bittersweet. Having spent a decade forging a strong bond with the elephants, Polson expresses the profound emotional connection she has with them. “I see these elephants more than my friends and family, so it’s safe to say that they are my family,” she shared, acknowledging the emotional weight of their departure.

To ensure a smooth transition for the elephants, Permai has undergone extensive training over the past several months, becoming accustomed to the specialized crate that will transport her across the contry. She was recently treated to a refreshing snack of watermelon after receiving a light sedative, allowing her handlers to expertly load her into the 4-tonne crate with care.

Permai’s journey will be a 2,700 kilometer road trip, with her dedicated team taking turns driving. She is expected to arrive at her new home at Monarto Safari Park on Wednesday morning, ready to begin her next adventure in her expanded and enriched environment.

Permai the elephant Embarks on a New Journey to South Australia

Perth Zoo’s beloved elephant, Permai, is stepping into a new chapter of her life. She’s relocating to South Australia to join a group of female elephants, a move envisioned to enhance her well-being and provide the companionship she craves.This carefully planned transition is spearheaded by zookeepers who understand the importance of social interaction for elephants.

Permai’s devoted keeper, Jody Polson, emphasizes Permai’s unique personality, saying, “Permai — she’s always marched to the beat of her own drum. She’s a very unique elephant,and we love her for it.”

Polson offers further insights into Permai’s character, noting, “She will choose when she wants to be in your space, and then choose when she wants to be away.”

Recognizing the social nature of female elephants, Polson explains, “For her now though, she is definitely showing us that she wants more elephant time.” The team hopes Permai will forge strong bonds with the other females in her new home.

“We’re really hopeful that they do create these nice new friendships to start with, and hopefully they blossom into something a bit stronger,” Polson shared, expressing optimism for Permai’s future social connections.

Permai’s journey to South Australia will be a gradual process, with careful acclimation and unwavering support from Polson.

Polson will accompany Permai,ensuring a smooth transition for the beloved elephant as she settles into her new surroundings.

A crate used for transporting Permai is hoisted in the air by a crane.

Permai’s Journey: A Farewell and a New Beginning

Permai, the last Asian elephant to call Perth Zoo home, is embarking on a life-changing journey. She will soon join a herd of female elephants at an elephant sanctuary in Sumatra, Indonesia.

This move, years in the making, was first considered back in 2018 following the passing of their matriarch, Tricia, in 2022.While air travel was an option, Perth Zoo’s team ultimately decided that driving would be the moast comfortable and suitable way for Permai to travel.

“Knowing that she will have that comfort of other elephants and other keepers that have the experience with elephants and will love her in turn, hopefully it will make it a bit easier to say goodbye when I do part my ways with her,” shared Jody Polson, Permai’s dedicated zookeeper.

The team at perth Zoo acknowledges the bittersweet nature of this farewell. “the hard part will be seeing those others [in Permai’s team] having to say goodbye to her for the last time,” adds Polson.

Despite the sadness, there’s a palpable excitement for Permai’s future. “I think I’m very lucky, very blessed that I’m going to get to spend more time with her,” polson expressed, highlighting the unique privilege of being a part of Permai’s journey.

Permai set off through the streets of Perth on Monday morning. (ABC news)

The elaborate crates, designed by John Lemon, the acting director of life sciences at Perth Zoo, and built by Perth company CADDS fabrication, were no small feat. Measuring around 4.5 meters long, 2.1 meters wide, and 3.5 meters tall, they were even recently modified to accommodate air conditioning units, ensuring Permai’s comfort during transit.

These departures mark a new chapter for Perth Zoo,with two rhinos set to arrive this year. While the elephants will be missed,their absence marks the beginning of exciting new opportunities at the popular attraction.

Farewell to perth’s Elephants: A Conversation with Keeper Jody Polson

Perth Zoo is saying goodbye to its beloved elephants, Permai and Putra Mas, as they embark on a new chapter at a sanctuary in sumatra. This decision, made out of concern for the elephants’ well-being, follows the passing of their matriarch, Tricia, in 2022.

“While losing the elephants could have an impact on patronage, ensuring the animals’ welfare was priority,” said David Van Ooran, CEO of Perth Zoo.

To understand the reasoning behind this move and what the future holds for both the elephants and the zoo, we spoke with Keeper Jody Polson.

Jody, can you tell us more about why the decision was made to relocate Permai and putra Mas?

“Permai and Putra Mas are incredibly social animals, and their bond with each other and their late matriarch, Tricia, was incredibly strong. After Tricia passed away, it became clear that they needed a diffrent kind of environment to thrive.”

What kind of environment are they moving to?

“They are going to a reputable sanctuary in Sumatra specifically designed to house Asian elephants.it’s a place where they will have plenty of space to roam, interact with other elephants, and receive specialized care.”

What criteria did you use when choosing this sanctuary?

“Selecting the right sanctuary was incredibly important to us. We thoroughly researched various options, focusing on sanctuaries with a proven track record of providing excellent care for Asian elephants. We wanted to ensure Permai and Putra Mas would go to a place where they could live out their days happily and healthily.”

How will Perth Zoo continue to offer enriching experiences for visitors in the wake of the elephants’ departure?

“Perth Zoo is constantly evolving to provide the best possible experiences for our guests. While we will miss having Permai and Putra Mas here, we are excited to introduce new animal encounters and educational programs. We are also committed to continuing our conservation efforts and supporting the well-being of animals both here at the zoo and in the wild.”

The decision to relocate Permai and Putra Mas was a tough one, but ultimately, it was made with the best interests of the animals at heart. Perth Zoo remains dedicated to providing remarkable animal care and enriching experiences for visitors while contributing to the conservation of threatened species.

A New Era Dawns: Elephants Embrace Change at Perth Zoo

Two beloved elephants,Permai and Putra Mas,are embarking on a transformative journey. Moving from Perth Zoo to a dedicated sanctuary in Sumatra, these majestic creatures are leaving behind their familiar surroundings for a space dedicated to ethical elephant welfare.

Perth Zoo’s commitment to animal well-being has guided this decision.They carefully chose a sanctuary known for its exemplary facilities, protocols, and a deeply dedicated team. This sanctuary provides the ideal environment for Permai and Putra Mas to thrive in a more natural setting.

Permai, especially, is renowned for her spirited personality.”Permai is an individual, that’s without a doubt! She’s always marched to the beat of her own drum,” says a zoo representative. Yet, even with her independent streak, the elephant exhibits a clear desire for social interaction and the companionship of her kind. “We’ve seen signs recently that she longs for more elephant time,” the representative adds. It is indeed believed that her intelligence and adaptability will serve her well in this new chapter.

while saying goodbye to Permai and Putra Mas is bittersweet for Perth Zoo, their departure paves the way for exciting new possibilities. “Perth Zoo is always evolving to better serve our guests and the animals in our care,” the representative emphasizes. “While it’s bittersweet to say goodbye to Permai and Putra Mas,their departure will create space for exciting new animal arrivals and programs. We’re committed to enriching the experiences of our visitors while continuing to champion animal welfare on a global scale.”

How did Perth Zoo go about selecting the Sumatra sanctuary for Permai and Putra mas?

Farewell to Perth’s Elephants: A Conversation with keeper Jody Polson

Perth Zoo is saying goodbye to its beloved elephants, Permai and Putra mas, as they embark on a new chapter at a sanctuary in Sumatra. This decision, made out of concern for the elephants’ well-being, follows the passing of their matriarch, Tricia, in 2022.

“While losing the elephants could have an impact on patronage, ensuring the animals’ welfare was priority,” said David Van Ooran, CEO of Perth Zoo.

To understand the reasoning behind this move and what the future holds for both the elephants and the zoo, we spoke with Keeper Jody Polson.

Jody, can you tell us more about why the decision was made to relocate Permai and Putra Mas?

“Permai and Putra Mas are incredibly social animals, and their bond with each other and their late matriarch, Tricia, was incredibly strong. After Tricia passed away, it became clear that they needed a different kind of environment to thrive.”

What kind of environment are they moving to?

“They are going to a reputable sanctuary in Sumatra specifically designed to house Asian elephants. It’s a place where they will have plenty of space to roam, interact with other elephants, and receive specialized care.”

What criteria did you use when choosing this sanctuary?

“Selecting the right sanctuary was incredibly important to us. We thoroughly researched various options, focusing on sanctuaries with a proven track record of providing excellent care for Asian elephants. We wanted to ensure Permai and Putra Mas would go to a place where they could live out their days happily and healthily.”

How will Perth Zoo continue to offer enriching experiences for visitors in the wake of the elephants’ departure?

“Perth zoo is constantly evolving to provide the best possible experiences for our guests. While we will miss having Permai and Putra Mas here, we are excited to introduce new animal encounters and educational programs. We are also committed to continuing our conservation efforts and supporting the well-being of animals both here at the zoo and in the wild.”

Do you have any final words for those who are sad to see Permai and Putra Mas go?

“We understand that people will miss seeing Permai and Putra Mas at Perth Zoo. We are, too! But we believe this move is in their best interests, and we are confident they will thrive in their new home. Their story reminds us of the impact we can have on animal lives and how critically important it is indeed to advocate for their well-being. ”