Get ready to pack your trunks—literally—as Taronga Zoo Sydney announces the farewell date for their beloved Asian Elephants, Tang Mo and Pak Boon. Mark your calendars because late March 2025 will officially bid adieu to the duo, who are embarking on a mammoth relocation to Monarto Safari Park in South Australia.
It’s the end of an era (and probably the last time they’ll enjoy the iconic Sydney Harbour view), as Taronga shifts its focus towards a new chapter with plans for a mixed species habitat featuring a Greater One-horned Rhinoceros and Water Buffalo.
If you’re wondering why Sydney’s packing up its elephants, it turns out this isn’t just another case of urban sprawl. Back in April 2024, Taronga made the big announcement—after over a century of housing elephants in Sydney—that they’d be waving goodbye to their Asian Elephants for good. The decision wasn’t taken lightly; the goal is to create a fresh social herd in South Australia, featuring elephants from Auckland Zoo, Perth Zoo, and eventually Tang Mo and Pak Boon. Apparently, elephant matchmaking is a thing, and it takes careful orchestration, even waiting for a hormonal bull from Perth Zoo (yes, we’re looking at you, Putra Mas) to finish his “musth” phase before introductions are made.
Now, moving a couple of elephants is no ordinary trucking gig. It involves a custom transport crate, daily training sessions, and, of course, seatbelts because even elephants need to travel safely. According to Mandy Everett, Taronga Zoo’s Exotics Manager, the key to success here is keeping things voluntary and fun for Tang Mo and Pak Boon. They’re being conditioned to see their transport crate as a happy, stress-free space, with activities that basically equal elephant yoga—stretch, test, and step in and out of the crate at their own pace. The “seatbelts,” which are essentially safety leg bands, ensure comfort and security during braking, swerving, or any other transport shenanigans.
If you’re keen to see all this trunk-carrying action up close, now’s your chance. Visitors might catch training sessions during their zoo trips, where Tang Mo and Pak Boon will show off their crate skills (move over, contortionists). While the elephants prepare for their new life, Taronga will also give Sydneysiders a chance to say a heartfelt goodbye and to celebrate the keepers who have lovingly cared for these iconic animals for nearly two decades.
Meanwhile, the conservation movement continues strong at Taronga’s Western Plains Zoo, where the focus remains on multi-generational breeding. They’re even expecting a new calf in late 2025, showing that while Sydney shifts gears, the story of Asian Elephants in Australia is far from over.
It’s a bittersweet farewell, but then again, who wouldn’t want an exciting fresh start complete with new friends, a state-of-the-art habitat, and possibly Australia’s most scenic road trip? All the best, Tang Mo and Pak Boon—we’ll miss you!