Perth Zoo's female elephant Permai set to depart in late January, months ahead of schedule

One of Perth Zoo's beloved elephants is leaving much sooner than originally planned after showing signs of loneliness.

Female elephant Permai will be relocated to South Australia's Monarto Safari Park next month, about six months ahead of schedule, and before male elephant Putra Mas, who will wait until he's completed his annual hormonal surge.

In 2018 Perth Zoo announced it would relocate both Asian elephants after the 2022 death of matriarch Tricia, to ensure the herd animals would be able to live with other elephants.

But successful training with her moving crate, and the arrival of another elephant, Burma, at Monarto from Auckland, has convinced keepers to move Permai earlier.

She's also been exhibiting loneliness behaviour, such as rocking and not participating in activities.

"We've always known that Permai is in desperate need of company, and she has been showing some increasing signs of loneliness lately," said Jody Polson, Permai's keeper at Perth Zoo.

"We have tried to support her, but it's a gap that we cannot fill.

Monarto has recently completed a new open-range elephant area, which will house Permai, Burma and Putra Mas, as well as two other female Asian elephants which are moving from Taronga Zoo.

Sad but exciting time

Permai will travel by truck to South Australia, accompanied by keepers and other zoo staff. Her crate will be fitted with air-conditioning for comfort.

While Permai will leave in January, Putra Mas' departure remains scheduled for mid-2025.

"All bull elephants have a seasonal ... testosterone boost, so he's quite angry during that time, and we just need to ensure the safety for him and the keepers as well," Polson said.

"We won't have him going into the crate and getting used to it until when that ends, which is usually about mid-April, and then we just need to work on his timeline and not rush him through that process."

For Ms Polson, who has worked with the elephants for a decade, it's an exciting and sad time.

"I know that [an elephant companion] is what she needs," she said.

- ABC