Perth Zoo’s last elephant makes cross-country journey

Perth Zoo’s last elephant, Putra Mas, has begun his journey across the Nullarbor to South Australia to join Asian elephant Permai in their new home.

Putra Mas, who arrived in Perth in 1992, was craned into the back of a truck in his air-conditioned container on Monday afternoon to begin his long journey to Monarto Safari Park.

Zookeeper David van Ooran said the “amazing, intelligent elephant” would be a great loss.

“There is so much emotion and sadness, but we are equally excited and overjoyed for the next chapter of her beautiful life,” she said.

Tricia Reilly, who was at the zoo to say goodbye, said she valued having elephants in Perth and getting to know them, and had great respect for the keepers.

By Monday evening, Putra Mas had consumed about 20 liters of water along with banana stems, hay, bamboo, fruit and large vats of peanut butter, some of the treats he would enjoy along the way.

There will be about a dozen stops on the 2,749-kilometre journey to check on the elephant, but these stops will be short as the team is eager to get him to his new home as quickly as possible.

The team is expected to arrive on Wednesday.