Monarto Safari Park has recently welcomed its newest (and very large!) resident, Putra Mas, a 35-year-old Asian Elephant who has travelled all the way from Perth Zoo to his brand-new home in the Adelaide Hills.

And when we say travelled… we mean travelled. Putra Mas made an extraordinary 2,700 km road trip across the country, that’s longer than driving from Adelaide to Sydney! His journey took 42.5 hours, and after months of preparation, planning and pachyderm level teamwork, he arrived safe and sound.

A road trip fit for an elephant

Putra Mas didn’t ride in just any truck. He travelled in a custom, air-conditioned “elephant caravan” built specially for the big move, complete with treat chutes (yes, snacks on the road!), tactile access doors for his keepers, and plenty of room to stretch and stay comfy. His dedicated Perth Zoo keepers and vet team travelled alongside him the entire way, making sure he felt calm, cared for, and completely supported.

When his crate was carefully craned into Monarto’s brand-new elephant habitat, Putra Mas took his first steps into the barn with confidence, a moment described as incredibly emotional by keepers and vets watching on.

Why this move matters

With Putra Mas’ arrival, Monarto Safari Park now has its full founding herd of five Asian Elephants, a massive milestone for elephant care and conservation in Australia. The park is set to become a world-leading home for elephant welfare, research and education, giving families the chance to see these gentle giants up close and learn how we can help protect them.

From a record-breaking road trip to a fresh new start, Putra Mas’ arrival marks the beginning of a very exciting new chapter, and we can’t wait to see him thrive right here in SA.

Kids, get your binoculars ready… your next visit to Monarto just got super-sized!

Visit Monarto Safari Park at 63 Monarto Road, Monarto or monartosafari.com.au

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