Monarto Safari Park is celebrating the next stage in integrating its Asian Elephant herd, with Permai and Tang Mo confidently sharing habitat space together without a soft fence for the first time.
This milestone reflects a planned progression within a long-term strategy to build a cohesive social herd. The introduction followed months of protected contact sessions, behavioural monitoring, and opportunities for both elephants to build familiarity at their own pace.
Tang Mo entered Habitat 3 first, with Permai joining her a few minutes later. For close to half an hour, each elephant explored the space independently before engaging with one another.
Permai approached calmly and deliberately, initiating contact in a measured way. Tang Mo responded with composure and strong social awareness, continuing to feed and at times presenting her back. These are important social behaviours in elephants and supported a relaxed, balanced interaction.
Elephant Manager Andrew Coers said the team had prepared carefully for this stage.
“This was a planned progression, and we were confident the girls were ready,” Mr Coers said.
“We’ve invested months into protected contact sessions, behavioural monitoring and giving both elephants the opportunity to build familiarity at their own pace. Sharing the habitat was the logical next step.”
As the session progressed, the pair fed side by side, gently sniffed and explored one another, and moved through the habitat together. They were frequently observed touching trunks, a key behaviour in elephant social communication and bonding.
“Trunk-to-trunk contact is a strong sign of trust and comfort,” Mr Coers said.
“An elephant’s mouth is one of the most sensitive and vulnerable parts of their body. When an elephant allows another to place their trunk near or even inside their mouth, it shows a significant level of social trust and acceptance. It’s part of how they explore, communicate, and build bonds with one another.”
Permai and Tang Mo were also observed dust bathing in proximity, and approaching the fence together to access water from keepers. They separated briefly to forage independently before choosing to reconnect once more.
Later in the session, Permai chose to enter the pond for a bath, with keepers noting voluntary use of water features and shared spaces is a positive indicator that she felt secure and comfortable within the environment.
“We’re really pleased to see this level of progress,” Mr Coers said.
“Elephants are highly social animals. Providing opportunities for positive social connection supports their wellbeing. Both elephants are showing behaviours that indicate confidence and comfort as they share space, which is fantastic to witness.”
As part of a gradual and welfare-led approach, Permai and Tang Mo will continue to be separated overnight, with shared time increasing in line with ongoing positive social behaviours. The next stages of integration will continue to prioritise behavioural monitoring, choice, and agency for each elephant.
“This is part of a long-term vision,” Mr Coers said.
“It’s still early days, and we will continue to take measured steps as we continue building a socially dynamic herd of five elephants here at Monarto Safari Park.”
Meanwhile, Burma and Pak Boon are continuing to trial shared access to Habitat 2 with a soft fence in place. Their progress will inform future stages of herd integration.
This encouraging progress is another step reflecting Zoos SA’s ongoing commitment to providing evidence-based elephant care and the development of a thriving Asian Elephant herd at Monarto Safari Park.
