The 35-year-old bull elephant reached his new home just after 8am, following a 42.5-hour cross-country road trip. His safe arrival marks the final step in creating the founding herd of five Asian Elephants at Monarto Safari Park — a major milestone for elephant welfare and conservation in Australia.
A journey of care and teamwork
By mid-morning, Putra Mas’s custom-built travel crate was gently craned into Monarto Safari Park’s brand-new elephant habitat. Calm and confident, he took his first steps into the barn, marking the beginning of his exciting new life in South Australia.
“Watching Putra Mas take those first steps into his new home was incredibly moving,” says Dr Ian Smith, Director of Monarto Safari Park.
Settling into his new home
Now that he’s arrived, Putra Mas is resting and exploring inside his barn. He’ll spend some quiet time stretching, settling in, and recovering after his big adventure.
“Our Perth Zoo colleagues report that throughout the journey, he travelled beautifully – calm and steady,” says Zoos SA Chief Executive, Dr Phil Ainsley.
Over the next few weeks, Putra Mas will complete a standard quarantine period while he adjusts to his surroundings. During this time, he may even interact with the female elephants through safe bollard barriers — but only if they choose to. Keepers will be taking cues from Putra Mas and the cows to make sure everyone settles in at their own pace.
A big step for conservation
Putra Mas’s arrival is more than just a move — it’s a huge milestone for elephant conservation in Australia. His journey represents years of teamwork between Monarto Safari Park, Perth Zoo, and other conservation partners working to ensure a bright, healthy future for elephants.
With the founding herd now complete, Monarto Safari Park is set to become a world-leading home for Asian Elephant care, research, and education — a place where families can connect with wildlife and learn the importance of protecting these gentle giants.
