Permai meets new friend Burma as ex-Perth Zoo elephant settles in to new South Australian home

Permai has met her first new elephant friend at Monarto Safari Park, with heartwarming footage showing her locking trunks with her new neighbour Burma.

As she settles into her new home at Monarto Safari Park, keepers have successfully introduced the pair, as the first of a new five-elephant strong herd to take up residence in South Australia.

Supported by their carers, Permai was initially shy during the introduction, but the pair came together to say “hello” through the barn.

Permai arrived in South Australia after a gruelling 40-hour trip across the Nullarbor from Perth Zoo, with staff saying they were thrilled the relocation had been managed safely.

Monarto Safari Park elephant manager Andrew Coers said the introduction on Wednesday evening had gone well.

“You want them to come together. They link trunks, they put trunks over each other, and they give a little bit of push and shove,” he said.

“That’s all good stuff. They’re just trying to suss each other out.

“In the first instance, when she first arrived, we felt like Burma actually knew that there was another elephant in the area, and there was a bit of reluctance to come into the barn.”

Perth Zoo life sciences director John Lemon said the arrival was bittersweet for the WA team who travelled east with Permai.

“Some of the staff that are with us have worked with her for over 20 years,” he said.

“We have one gentleman that’s been on the trip as well with us this journey who’s been at the zoo for 47 years, and he uncrated Permai as a two year old.

“It’s very bittersweet, but it’s all about welfare. It’s all about Permai and moving to a facility that will be her forever home with a company of elephants.”

Plans are underway to bring Permai’s former Perth neighbour — bull elephant Putra Mas — to Monarto in June or July, after his hormonal “musth” period ends.