What Does an Elephant Get for Valentine’s Day?

I wrote a very sad story a couple of months ago about Bandra, the lonely elephant I encountered in Brunei. You can read the story here:

Permai's story

I'm happy to say this is a much happier elephant story. It is about Permai, who finally gets what they hope will be a long-time family. As we all know, in today's world, a Valentine does not have to be of the opposite sex. They move Permai to live with three other elephants eventually. Elephants have several Valentines - it's an elephant thing!

This is Permai's story.

Permai is a thirty-five-year-old Asian female elephant. She has been a popular attraction at the Perth Zoo in Western Australia for many years.

Originally, Perth Zoo had three females: Tricia, Permai, and Putra Mas (a male). Unfortunately, in 2018, Tricia, who was 65, passed away from age-related complications.

Perth Zoo is relocating its last two elephants, Permai and Putra Mas. This decision prioritized the animals' welfare over the wishes of visitors who wanted to see them in cages.

After six years of planning, Permai is now safely in her new home in South Australia. The epic journey of 27,000 kilometers (40 hours) is quite a trip for an elephant. She is also getting to know her new best friend - Burma!

The elephant family.

Perth Zoo plans to rehome elephants Permai and Putra Mas so they can enjoy a suitable social herd structure.

An elephant herd is generally composed of more females than males. The oldest female in the herd is the leader (the matriarch). Many herds have up to 10–12 females, and many baby elephants can also be included.

Males tend to be more solitary or form separate herds but are not usually far away from a female herd. Elephants don't always mate with just one partner for life, like many once believed. They can have multiple mates throughout their lives. This shows that their relationships are more flexible than previously thought.

Among the most sensitive wildlife, they show compassion and self-awareness. They grieve and respond to other elephants' pain and sadness.

For instance, when a herd member injures itself, the rest will walk more slowly to ensure they can keep up. Elephants have been seen lifting injured, sick members with their trunks and tusks. They also make distress calls.

Female elephants need the interaction and companionship of other females. Keepers report that Permai has been quiet and listless for the past two years. She hasn't had the company of another female, similar to Bandra in another story I wrote.

Permai's new home is like an elephant penthouse. She will have the company of Burma, but she has also been without female companionship since 2022.

The new 14-hectare area at Monarto Safari Park will soon host five Asian elephants. To add to the herd, two other females - Tang Mo and Pak Boon - will come from Taronga Zoo and complete the little herd of four females (and Putra Mas, the male, when he arrives).

It has been custom-built with four separate areas of different vegetation and terrain. Permai and Putra Mas both love water. They will love splashing in the deep waterholes. Here, they can submerge completely. Don't worry - elephants can actually swim!

It's a sentiment worth celebrating.

I love this story! It shows we are finally thinking about the welfare of different animals. Many people enjoy seeing animals of all shapes and sizes. If you can't visit Asia or Africa, a zoo is your best chance to see elephants. We should still treat them with respect and dignity. We must also recognize their biological needs.

Elephants form strong social bonds with humans, especially those who care for them from a young age.

Permai's handler, who has been with her for ten years, also made the trip with her. She will stay with Permai at her new home for 12 to 28 months to help her adjust.

I may be a softie, but it is time we began treating animals with respect, especially those kept in zoos. So, I take my hat off to the zoo for its decision and to all who have made Permai's transition possible.

To Permai - Happy Valentine's Day!

Till next time,

Calvin