It’s interesting how both herds (Taronga and Melbourne) divided into friendship pairs based on age: Porntip (1992) and Pak Boon (1992) Thong Dee (1997) and Tang Mo (1999) Mek Kepah (1974) and Dokkoon (1993) Kulab (1993) and Num Oi (2001) While personality is a significant factor in forming friendships (Auckland Zoo has had some very mis-matched personalities); it’s clear age is equally instrumental in how easily these bonds are formed. Roi-Yim may lack the confidence of his half-sisters, but as young elephant wanting to play, he still gets great enjoyment from their company; while Aiyara and Kati are the perfect match. It’ll be interesting to see if their bond continues to flourish into adulthood and motherhood; or whether they spend the majority of their time in their matrilinial herds.
You’d need a ton of experience! Zookeeping is not an easy field to get into (I’ve been trying for ten years myself!) and that’s before you specialise in what is a complex and challenging species.
I always thought it was an interesting that taronga choose to seperate the females based on what worked for them instead of there actual bonds.
Once the calves arrived at taronga it became very evident that while they functioned as a cohesive herd. They also had there own factions within the herd. The larger complexs at the open range sites will enable this part of elephant behaviour to be exhibited to a greater extant. I just hope the zoos dont take it as a split and seperate the elephants into seperate paddocks. Most herds when they get to a certain size do this. The herd that they used to film echo the elephant documentary documents this behaviour especially well. While alive the herd stayed more cohesive. After her death 3 main factions developed and they now follow this fission and fusion herd dynamic. And it was documented quite well. Its the natural inevitability of matrilineal systems. If a female is productive enough over time if she has enough daughters she will build her own herd within the herd. Eventually when this gets to a certain size, this will often lead to these sub groups behaving in this breakaway and rejoin type system. I dare say our asian elephant herds being built on the back of import unrelated females. Will be more prone to this. As while they have a cohesive herd, they all have a bond with each other. As the females have daughters the bonds with the daughters will be stronger and we will see the herds start to form there own family groupings. Which Is probably why of memory Anjalee bond with of memory Thong dee first. Even though they are a cohesive herd. Thong dee has no female offspring.
Another reason wild herds can split is the influence of ecological factors such as the availability of food. This obviously won’t be an issue for the Werribee herd (or any herd in the region); but social factors could well prove instrumental in driving a split. I’m of the opinion this will more take the form of fission-fusion, which as mentioned, has already been observed at Melbourne Zoo between the two social groups. The first elephant in Dubbo’s herd that Anjalee formed a bond with was Kanlaya. Kanlaya was a playful 3.5 year old calf when Anjalee arrived and was the first to embrace her; though by all accounts, she’s made a smooth assimilation into her herd. From what I’ve herd, Thong Dee is comparatively aloof. She came to the zoo very food motivated and disengaged with the elephants; and while the zoo have worked wonders with her, she’s by no means a socially magnetic individual like some of the other cows.
Werribee complex update: Some information on the construction progress at Werribee: Pools for Elephants underway at Werribee Zoo Work is well underway on the $88m Werribee Open Range Zoo Expansion, with slabs poured in the herd and bull barns and elephant pools. The pools are 3.5m deep and hold almost 2 million litres of recycled water. Visitors will be able to view the Elephant barn including a communal area, training yards and breeding facilities. Five outer habitats will retain and build upon existing vegetation and significant trees. Two dedicated overpass bridges will allow Asian elephants to pass over visitor walking trails, between the central management yard and outer habitats.
Are melbourne zoo's elephants leaving permantly to werribee? Does that mean no more elephants at melbourne zoo.
Yes, Melbourne's herd of eight will all be moving over to Werribee later this year. Melbourne are phasing them out, much like other city zoos regionally will be doing in the coming years (Perth, Auckland and Taronga included).
Yeah I was going to say for 8 elephants the current melbourne exhibit is rather small. So that'll make (once Monarto's herd is established) four major australia Elephant herds living in open-range zoos. Much better for their wellbeing. Werribee have awesome plans for the new elephant habitat, its so spacious and well laid out. We'll be trying to mirror that in the future at Monarto, making our elephant habitat larger in a hopeful second stage of our elephant program, expanding the elephant habitat to the south even further.
Correct, with elephants going to be held at all three open range facilities (Monarto, Werribee and Dubbo) and also Australia Zoo too (who have a very sizeable facility). Once Monarto achieves breeding success an expansion will probably be on the cards down the line. It would be exciting to see another world class elephant complex one day; Monarto probably being the most likely due to the array of space they have.
With Auckland Zoo and Melbourne Zoo phasing out elephants in 2024 and Perth Zoo phasing out elephants in 2025, this will leave Sydney Zoo as the only city zoo holding elephants once Taronga phases out. Taronga haven’t publicly confirmed a timeline for their phase out, but I’d be surprised if they have elephants by the end of 2025 given two of their cows will likely be transferring to Monarto.
I really hope Monarto secure a second viable cow (ideally Pak Boon and Tang Mo). EEHV remains an ever present threat to young elephants worldwide and imo it’d be an uphill struggle trying to establish a multigenerational herd around a single viable cow. Taronga’s initial imports are proof of this: Porntip: 1.1 calves (both surviving) Pak Boon: 1.1 calves (neither surviving) Thong Dee: 2.0 calves (both surviving) Tang Mo: 0 calves 18 years after the import, there’s only one surviving female of the next generation to date.
Elephant Transfers (2024/2025) Major milestone in Asian Elephant build at Monarto Safari Park Burma is being imported by Monarto Safari Park from Auckland Zoo in the fourth quarter of 2024. Putra Mas and Permai are transferring from Perth Zoo to Monarto Safari Park in May 2025. These transfers will see Auckland Zoo and Perth Zoo phase out elephants, 101 and 103 years respectively after the import of their first elephants. Auckland Zoo has held elephants continuously since 1923; while Perth Zoo has held elephants in 1922; 1923-1961; and 1963 to present.
Yes, Melbourne Zoo have 2.7 elephants: 1.0 Luk Chai (04/07/2009) Gung x Thong Dee 1.0 Roi-Yim (25/11/2022) Luk Chai x Mali 0.1 Mek Kapah (00/00/1973) Wild x Wild; Imported 1978 0.1 Dokkoon (00/00/1993) Unknown x Unknown; Imported 2006 0.1 Kulab (00/00/2000) Unknown x Unknown; Imported 2006 0.1 Num-Oi (00/00/2001) Num Sek x Lampoon; Imported 2006 0.1 Mali (16/01/2010) Bong Su x Dokkoon 0.1 Aiyara (16/11/2022) Luk Chai x Dokkoon 0.1 Kati (01/01/2023) Luk Chai x Num Oi I know after Man Jai’s death, it took me a while to get out the habit of saying Melbourne Zoo had 10 elephants.
In news just announced from Monarto Safari Parks socials: Pak Boon & Tang Mo are coming to Monarto! We trumpeting with excitement to announce TWO MORE Asian Elephants are set to join Burma, Permai and Putra Mas at Monarto Safari Park! As a generous supporter of our elephant fundraiser, your support is enabling us to build a herd of five Asian Elephants! Pak Boon and Tang Mo from Taronga Zoo Sydney are packing up their trunks and following in the footsteps of Burma from Auckland Zoo and Permai and Putra Mas from Perth Zoo. We can’t wait to watch as Pak Boon and Tang Mo settle in alongside Burma, Permai and Putra Mas, with the two females joining the herd just as they would in the wild. We're also excited to announce more news about the arrival of the other three Asian Elephants! Burma, who will transfer from Auckland Zoo looks set to arrive at Monarto Safari Park in October/November 2024 and Permai and Putra Mas from Perth Zoo in mid-2025. Meet Pak Boon and Tang Mo Tang Mo and Pak Boon arrived at Taronga Sydney Zoo in 2006 from Thailand. Over their time at the harbour-side zoo, the elephants have captured the hearts of the visitors and members not to mention their keepers who have lovingly cared for them over the last two decades. Cameron Kerr AO, the CEO of Taronga Conservation Society Australia, told us about the pair, who have been much loved residents of the zoo. “While these magnificent creatures will certainly be missed in Sydney, I’m so heartened to plan for their move to Monarto Safari Park where they will be able to join a bigger, social herd and live in a larger more complex habitat,” “Taronga’s journey with elephants is far from over and we will continue to play an important role in the regional breeding program with seven elephants in a thriving, multi-generational herd at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo. “I’d like to thank the Kingdom of Thailand for their ongoing support of this program and also acknowledge the dedicated keepers and staff across Taronga Zoo Sydney who have cared for our elephants in Sydney for almost two decades,” said Cameron. Work at Monarto Safari Park’s elephant habitat is well underway getting the space ready for the arrival of Burma, Permai, Putra Mas, Pak Boon and Tang Mo! Extensions and renovations to the elephant barn have started and trenching and pipework is being installed to feed water into the habitat, waterholes and mud baths!
Definitely expected; and I'm glad Taronga have announced this ahead of time. The goal here is almost certainly to breed from Putra Mas and Pak Boon once they're both settled in. A calf at Monarto would be absolutely awesome, and hopefully come 2027 we may have a little one there. It's equally nice for Permai and Burma to have the opportunities to be apart of an established herd, and hopefully get the opportunity to interact with calves as the years go on. It's very fitting the last elephants in city zoos will all depart within the next year (to Werribee and Monarto respectively).
I agree with all your comments here I also am glad to see the end of elephants in city zoos something I was against before the Thai import, Not only is this going to lead to a much better life style for the elephants it will open up more opportunities for these major city zoos to expand with other species that could well use more space!
Elephants will still be held at Sydney Zoo, but hopefully they will continue as a bachelor holder. Absolutely agree that the lifestyle and opportunities with the move away from city zoos will be fantastic to watch!
