Zoos SA joins forces with Auckland Zoo to build forever home for three elephants at Monarto Zoo

Adelaide could have elephants for the first time in almost 30 years as Zoos SA launches an ambitious fundraiser to raise $2m by October – here’s how to donate.

For the first time since 1994, Zoos SA has launched a bold plan to give three elephants a forever home in South Australia – if it raises more than $2m in the next three months.

Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park have partnered with Auckland Zoo and Perth Zoo in a bid to raise $2.025m by October to bring three Asian elephants, to complete the $6m project.

The three elephants include Auckland’s 40-year-old Asian elephant Burma, and 33-year-olds Permai and Putra Mas from Perth.

It’s hoped the fundraiser campaign will raise enough funds to build an “elephant habitat” at Monarto that meets the complex social structure needs of the three elephants to call their forever home.

Perth Zoo elephant, Putra Mas. Picture: Zoos SA

If the elephants integrate into their proposed new home, they would later be joined by “as many as five elephants or more”.

Zoos SA chief executive Elaine Benstead said she believe Monarto Safari Park is their perfect new home because it “reflects their long-term needs” as they live with other elephants.

“We want to work with fellow accredited zoos to provide the best home for the elephants where they can live with other animals as part of a herd structure,” Ms Benstead said.

@the.tiser Zoos SA has launched a bold plan to give elephants a forever home in South Australia for the first time 1994.  Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park have partnered with Auckland Zoo in a bid to raise $2m in three months to bring three Asian elephants to the state, to live together 😍  #elephant#asianelephant#animals#fundraiser#monartosafaripark♬ original sound - The Advertiser

“The prospect of having elephants at Monarto Safari Park is not only exciting, it’s the right thing to do for these elephants.

“The elephants come first. There’s no doubt about that. Both Perth and Auckland zoos have been very open about the elephants needing to find ‘forever homes’ that meet the elephants’ long-term needs.

Auckland Zoo Elephant Burma. Picture: ZoosSA

Perth Zoo Elephant, Permai. Picture: Zoos SA

Ms Benstead said if they raise the needed funds, the elephants will be accompanied by trained staff to SA as they’re safely transported in specially-made crate

Burma will be travelling on-board a jumbo jet, while Permai and Putra Mas will either be flown or driven down to SA.

If successful, it would be the first time SA has had elephants in a zoo since the death of Samorn, in 1994. She was a gift from the Thai government in 1956 and originally housed at Adelaide Zoo. She was later transferred to Monarto to spend the rest of her days.

“The community remembers fondly the time when Samorn was at Adelaide Zoo and later moved to Monarto Safari Park. As a child I remember the feeling of awe seeing her. Of course, animal welfare and how we care for animals such as elephants has moved on,” Ms Benstead said.

“But the magic and emotion that these enormous yet gentle and intelligent creatures bring out in us all is still very much alive.

“That’s why we are hoping the community will want to see the three elephants at Monarto Safari Park and get behind our fundraising.”

Auckland Zoo senior elephant Keeper Corryn with Asian elephant Burma. Picture: Auckland Zoo.

Auckland Zoo elephant keeper Emma with Asian Elephant Burma. Picture: Auckland Zoo.

In the statement released on Wednesday, Auckland Zoo spokeswoman Jane Healy said they hoped to meet the target by the end of October.

Burma would then move in to her new home, about a year later.

Auckland Zoo director Kevin Buley said they are “very excited” about the chance of Monarto Safari Park developing a “new 35-acre habitat,” through “the Australasian regional elephant program.”

“(We) really hope that this fundraising effort can become a reality,” Mr Buley said.

“Burma is continuing to do extremely well here at Auckland Zoo thanks to our incredible elephant team, however in the longer-term we know that she needs to be with other elephants.

Auckland Zoo elephant keeper Emma performing a quick check of Elephant Burma's mouth. Picture: Auckland Zoo.

“A new herd at Monarto, that would initially also include two Asian elephants from Perth Zoo that are in similar circumstances, would be a brilliant option for Burma’s future forever home.

Auckland said with plans of housing Burma at Monarto not yet confirmed. They are looking at back-up options with Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA) for Burma at other accredited zoos.

They are hoping to find a forever homes for Burma “with the elephant family herd and environment that she needs for her long-term wellbeing.”

Donate to the fundraiser here

Originally published as Zoos SA joins forces with Auckland Zoo to build forever home for three elephants at Monarto Zoo