The anticipated relocation of Perth Zoo’s last remaining elephant, Putra Mas, to South Australia’s Monarto Safari Park has been postponed. The delay arises as Monarto continues efforts to integrate four female elephants that arrived earlier this year. Initially, the move for the male Asian elephant was slated for June or July, but he will now remain in Perth until later this year.
“Monarto is still managing the introductions of the females,” said John Lemon, Perth Zoo’s Acting Director of Life Sciences. The zoo bid farewell to its female elephant, Permai, in January when she joined Burma from Auckland Zoo at Monarto. Two additional females were relocated from Taronga Zoo shortly thereafter.
Challenges in Elephant Integration
The integration process involves fence-line contact as Monarto works to form a cohesive herd or at least enable the elephants to share the same habitat. This complex process is crucial for the social animals, as elephants rely heavily on social structures for their well-being.
Putra Mas was expected to relocate after experiencing musth, a periodic hormonal condition that can lead to aggressive behavior. However, delayed habitat preparations at Monarto have contributed to the postponement. Nevertheless, Mr. Lemon remains optimistic about the timeline, stating, “We’re just on elephant time.”
“[Putra Mas] has progressed really well with his crate training here. The bespoke crate’s been finished for some time, so it’s ready to roll. So it’s just waiting for all of those things to come together and we’ll set a date and move.”
Mr. Lemon anticipates that Putra Mas will be transported within the next five months.
Rhino Plans Altered
In a related development, Perth Zoo’s plan to introduce two southern white rhinos this year has been shelved due to health concerns. The female rhinos, initially considered for transfer, have encountered unexpected health issues, making them unsuitable for road or flight transport.
“The female rhinos that were being considered for transfer to Perth Zoo have had a couple of unexpected health issues,” Mr. Lemon explained. Consequently, they will remain at Werribee’s Open Range Zoo for health reasons.
The rhinos’ arrival was meant to coincide with the departure of male rhino Bakari, who was to join a regional breeding program. Instead, Bakari will stay in Perth while alternative breeding options are explored.
“There is quite a lot of science that goes into…what his genetics can contribute to the regional program, so we need to look at what are the best options for him moving forward,” Mr. Lemon said.
Future Developments at Perth Zoo
Despite the delays in animal transfers, Perth Zoo is moving forward with a significant upgrade to its African Savanna exhibit, a project valued at 30 million dollars. Mr. Lemon confirmed that the delay in Putra Mas’s move would not impact the timing of this redevelopment.
The zoo has been undergoing extensive construction in recent years, with a new gibbon enclosure recently opened to the public. These developments reflect Perth Zoo’s commitment to enhancing its facilities and providing enriched environments for its animals.
As the zoo continues to navigate these logistical challenges, the focus remains on ensuring the welfare of its animals and the successful integration of new arrivals into their respective habitats.
