Tricia the elephant’s death will mark the end of Perth Zoo enclosure

There will soon be no elephants to visit at Perth Zoo, with the death of Tricia set to trigger the end of her enclosure.

Zoo staff are preparing to farewell the 65-year-old Asian elephant, after confirming her health was deteriorating rapidly.

And her death is also expected to start a chain of events that will see elephants permanently removed from the popular tourist attraction.

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Perth Zoo has long told of its plans to take its elephants out of WA once its matriarch passes away.

Tricia currently shares an enclosure with male elephant Putra Mas and female Permai but plans are expected to be made to move them to other zoos for their own wellbeing.

The decision, first announced in 2018, was made in conjunction with a broader move towards “herd-enclosures” internationally.

Camera Icon Christine Wilson and her husband Chris Wilson with a heart print Tricia made with the tip of her trunk. Credit: Nic Ellis/The West Australian

At the time, then-environment minister Stephen Dawson said Perth Zoo was too small to accommodate multiple elephants.

He explained how female elephants are highly social and need to be part of a herd, while the males live in bachelor groups.

“For Putra Mas, his genetics are highly valuable and he would greatly benefit by being closer to ovulating females in other zoos,” he said at the time.

Camera Icon Tricia the Asian Elephant gets stuck into her 61st birthday cake. Credit: Michael Wilson/The West Australian

“We are constrained on the current zoo site with no room to expand to accommodate a herd of the size that we would need to ensure the best conditions for our elephants.”

Perth Zoo has confirmed the gradual phasing out of the elephant enclosure at Perth Zoo was flagged in 2018, with modern zoos recognising elephants need a much bigger footprint than the South Perth site offers.

“The two other Perth Zoo elephants…won’t be rushed into their new forever homes, with the zoo prioritising finding the perfect place for them in all respects – including matching them with their most natural herd society environment,” a spokesperson said.

But it will be a sad time for Perth Zoo patrons, many of whom have visited her over several decades.

Camera Icon Perth Zoo is expected to move its remaining elephants from WA. Pictured is elephant Permai. Credit: Ian Munro/The West Australian

Some West Australians recalled Tricia’s early years at the zoo, when she was kept in a concrete enclosure — a far cry from the enclosure she lives in now which has a swimming pool, mud wallows and a heated barn.

“I remember you as a child in your concrete pen and we celebrated with joy when you got a new enclosure with dirt and trees and a swimming pool,” told one zoo patron.

“I remember the concrete pylons as well. Their trunks would reach through. They would also join trunk to tail,” added another.

Camera Icon Tricia the Elephant in her concrete enclosure in 1982. Credit: The West Australian/The West Australian

In a statement Perth Zoo said given the significance of Tricia’s age, her health was being monitored closely.

The zoo said she had been receiving treatment and support for various “age-related complaints”, however over the last week her health worsened and is now being assessed daily by medical teams.

Staff will ensure a “dignified and respectful end to her life”.

Camera Icon Tricia has been a beloved resident of Perth Zoo for decades. Credit: Megan Powell/The West Australian

“We know we don’t have long to go with our grand old dame, it is a day by day proposition,” the statement said.

The decision when to farewell Tricia will be based on the best veterinary and animal husbandry advice, it will also be based on what is best for Tricia to enable a dignified and respectful end to her life.”

The famous zoo figure is 65-years-old and arrived in Perth from Vietnam almost six decades ago.

Tricia was named after a Miss Australian winner in 1962.