Perth Zoo’s female elephant Permai to farewell city next month in expedited departure to South Australia

One of Perth Zoo’s two elephants is packing her trunk earlier than expected.

Permai is making her interstate move late next month and West Aussies are being invited to come and say goodbye.

Perth Zoo will announce on Friday that the 35-year-old Asian elephant will move to South Australia at the end of January, earlier than the planned date of the mid-to-late 2025.

The move, to Monarto Safari Park, will give Permai a bit of female company, as well as access 11 ha of habitat, after the recent arrival of female elephant Burma from Auckland.

Perth Zoo acting director life sciences John Lemon said it was an exciting opportunity for Permai.

“We know the community loves Permai as much as we do and understand it’s bittersweet to say goodbye a little earlier than planned, but this is an incredible outcome for her,” he said.

“Female elephants need the company of other female elephants, and we want that for Permai as soon as possible.

“With her custom-crate arriving last month, the team have been working exceptionally hard on her training to ensure she sees the space as a safe haven during the journey, her welfare is always our top priority.”

Bull elephant Putra Mas is being relocated later next year.

“Male elephants typically live a solitary existence or in loose bachelor herds, so Putra Mas is quite happy on his own, his carers keep his intelligent mind busy with plenty of problem-solving and fun enrichment,” Mr Lemon said.

“We have really appreciated the community support as we prepare to farewell the elephants.

“It’s hard to say goodbye but it has been very heart-warming to see the community join us in putting the welfare of Permai and Putra Mas first.

“There’s still a few more weeks before Permai goes, so we’re encouraging everyone to come and say their farewells to her before she packs her trunk.”

Both born in 1989 in the wild, Permai and Putra Mas arrived at Perth Zoo in 1992, along with Teduh, to join the beloved Tricia.

As part of the pair’s final Perth birthday celebrations this weekend, zoo-goers are invited to watch them enjoy a special enrichment on Sunday.

Putra Mas will be on show at 10am during the Bull Elephant talk, while Permai will be at 11.30am.