Zoos SA Asian Elephants campaign realises its target of $2.025 million

August 31, 2023

With the help of a private $1 million donation, Zoos SA’s campaign to raise $2.025 million to bring three Asian Elephants to Monarto Safari Park has been realised in just 28 days.

The three Asian Elephants will become founders of a South Australian herd where they will roam at Monarto Safari Park, the largest open-range safari in the region, in a new habitat that meets their complex social structure needs.

A very excited Elaine Bensted, Chief Executive of Zoos SA shared “We’ve done it. They’re coming! We are blown away by the support of the elephant and conservation-loving community.

“We’ve had over 4,000 donations from all ages and budgets. We’ve had kids handing over their pocket money to some very large donations including the $1 million. Every single one of these donations counts and means so much.

“This project has been propelled by the community’s desire to see the best welfare outcome for the elephants and to get them to South Australia.

“I would like to thank every single person who has donated and helped us so far. I can’t wait for you to see these three beautiful animals at Monarto Safari Park in 2024/25.”

But while the goal has been reached, Zoos SA is still calling on people to continue fundraising and taking part in the Run Wild event on 21st October.

Bensted added “while we’ve reached our original goal I want to assure everyone that all funds raised over this amount will still go to the elephants’ project. Any extra money raised now will help Zoos SA to reduce its financing costs for the project and allow us to ensure our efforts remain focussed on the conservation work we undertake.

“We are a private charity so any debt that we can reduce only speeds up the process of paying it off and allowing us to get back to our work to save species from extinction.”

Burma from Auckland Zoo is continuing to enjoy getting in and out of her crate on a daily basis! While Permai and Putra Mas from Perth Zoo will begin training to get them used to their crates for travel to Monarto Safari Park.

Auckland Zoo director, Kevin Buley noted “this is an amazing effort from Zoos South Australia and their incredibly supportive community and of course, excellent news for Burma.

“It’s still early days but growing certainty over Burma’s future means we can also start planning for a move some time in the next 12-18 months to a new home who are extremely excited to receive her.”

Claire Wright, Acting Executive Director, Perth Zoo enthused “we are thrilled to hear that Zoos SA’s fundraising campaign has been successful and Permai and Putra Mas are now a step closer to moving to their forever home.

“While Perth Zoo has always provided these Asian Elephants with exemplary love and care, we’ve always been open that they need more space than our South Perth site can provide. This move to an open-range herd structure is best for their welfare and we know Monarto Safari Park will provide an excellent home.

“Our animal experts have meticulously explored options for Permai and Putra Mas, and we couldn’t be happier to see them moving to our neighbouring state of South Australia.”

Simon Emms, ElectraNet Chief Executive added “As the project’s first corporate partner, ElectraNet is excited to be partnering with Zoos SA to bring Asian Elephants back to South Australia, at Monarto Safari Park. We look forward to the construction works beginning followed by the arrival of the elephants, to enable Monarto Safari Park visitors to see and learn more about these amazing animals.”

The Run Wild event at Monarto Safari Park will take place on 21st October 2023. The event will see fundraisers run, walk or wheel Monarto Safari Park’s tracks, covering a distance of 3km, 10km, 20km, 40km or a virtual distance.

30th August 2023 - Zoos SA delighted to receive $1 million private donation for Asian Elephant campaign

24th August 2023 - Zoos SA to hold inaugural fundraising run through Monarto Safari Park

9th March 2022 - Zoos SA share sustainability information on Monarto Safari Park’s new Visitor Centre

16th December 2021 - Six metre tall boab tree planted in Monarto Safari Park’s new Visitor Centre

3rd June 2021 - Monarto Safari Park Director receives UNESCO Achievement Award for role in conservation

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