Unforgettable bond: Former zookeeper’s heartwarming reunion with elephant Permai at Monarto

A former Perth Zoo keeper, now an Adelaide local, has been granted one final wish – proving the adage an elephant never forgets.

An elephant never forgets, as was proved by a heartwarming reunion between an elephant and her former keeper nearly 30 years later, fulfilling an Adelaide man’s dying wish.

Brett, 66, is a former Perth Zoo keeper, having worked with elephant Permai about three decades ago, and though they were only together for two years, their bond was strong.

Saying farewell to his keeper job, Brett moved to Adelaide, and recently he was diagnosed with a terminal illness, forced to “take every day as it comes”, he said.

Brett was reunited with an old friend – Permai the elephant. Brett was Permai’s keeper almost 30 years ago at the Perth Zoo, and thanks to the team at Ambulance Wish SA, they were able to catch up for one last time. Picture: SA Health

Knowing that Permai had not long relocated to SA at the Monarto Safari Park, Brett wanted to see his old friend one last time, and his wish was granted.

“There was a lot of eye contact, and it seemed pretty sure she remembered me,” Brett said.

“I felt so lucky, so privileged to be able to go and see her again after all this time.”

Delight lit up Brett’s face, he said, as he once again locked eyes with his four-legged-friend Permai after 30 years.

His wish was fulfilled with the help of charity Ambulance Wish SA, Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network and SA Health.

“To be given this opportunity, it was just great,” Brett said.

Zoos SA chief executive Phil Ainsley said the organisation was “proud” to be able to help “create these special moments”.

Brett was reunited with an old friend – Permai the elephant. Brett was Permai’s keeper almost 30 years ago at the Perth Zoo, and thanks to the team at Ambulance Wish SA, they were able to catch up for one last time. Picture: SA Health

“We know that the bonds formed between keeper and animal run incredibly deep and seeing Permai and Brett come together again, in a different place all these years later, is a beautiful reminder of that lifelong connection,” Dr Ainsley said.

“It goes to the heart of what we aspire to do here at Zoos SA, which is to connect people with nature in a way that is meaningful and creates memories that are treasured for a lifetime.”

Permai joined Burma the elephant at Monarto Safari Park earlier this year and the pair will be introduced to another three elephants at the park by the middle of the year.

Elephants Pak Boon and Tang Mo who are travelling from Taronga Zoo, are expected to arrive at the end of this month while male elephant Putra Mas will travel from Perth Zoo to complete the herd of five.

Originally published as Unforgettable bond: Former zookeeper’s heartwarming reunion with elephant Permai at Monarto