Taronga Zoo’s Last Elephants Prepare for ‘Great Migration’ to South Australia
Taronga Zoo’s final two Asian elephants are set to embark on an epic journey — and their carers are making sure every trunkful of hay and gentle pat makes the farewell as smooth as possible.
Before the zoo’s gates opened to the holiday crowd this week, senior elephant Tang Mo calmly entered the large crate that will transport her and companion Pak Boon to Monarto Safari Park in South Australia. The move marks the end of an era for elephants at Taronga, with the pair joining a new and larger herd in a more spacious environment.
Keepers say the trip — expected to take over 20 hours — will be handled with the utmost care. The elephants are fitted with special safety belts to help them brace during the journey, much like a passenger holding a strap on a bus.
“Snacks are the way to win an elephant’s heart,” said Senior Keeper Johny Wade, as he coaxed Tang Mo with treats during training.
From Beloved Residents to Jet-Setting Pachyderms
The elephants, who arrived from Thailand in 2006, have even travelled by plane before — and they remembered the routine.
“When the engines started up again after the first stop, they instinctively leaned forward, preparing for take-off,” said Taronga CEO Cameron Kerr. “That’s how intelligent they are.”
A Bittersweet Goodbye
Staff describe Tang Mo and Pak Boon as part of their extended family — “a big dysfunctional herd of humans and elephants,” as Wade fondly put it.
“They’re chalk and cheese in personality,” he said. “One is stubborn and food-motivated, the other is soft and relational. We’ve had to train them differently for this move.”
Making Room for New Giants
As the elephants depart, Taronga’s historic elephant exhibit will soon welcome new, equally large residents. Hari, a greater one-horned rhino born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in 2021, will be moving in alongside water buffalo, as part of what the zoo is calling “The Great Migration.”
“We’re shifting focus to other endangered species,” Mr Kerr said. “It’s the start of a new chapter.”
From Historic Walks to Modern Care
Elephants have long been part of Taronga’s story, with the first, Jessie, famously walking through the streets of Sydney to the zoo in 1916, even boarding a ferry across the harbour.
Much has changed since then — from elephants being chained in small enclosures for entertainment to today’s emphasis on their complex social needs and long-term welfare.
“It’s sad to see them go, but the move is in their best interest,” said Kerr. “They deserve to be part of a larger herd.”
As Tang Mo and Pak Boon prepare to roll out, keepers — and visitors — are bracing for a heartfelt goodbye.
