Perth Zoo elephant exhibit $5million upgrade complete

The newly completed $5million elephant exhibit redevelopment at the Perth Zoo has trebled the size of the exhibit and includes mud wallows, scratching poles, sensor-activated drinking fountains, a new pool and new barn facilities.

Speaking at the zoo today, Environment Minister Donna Faragher said the redevelopment of the 20-year-old elephant exhibit, funded by the State Government and staged over four years, provided significant benefits for the elephants and visitors.

"The redevelopment, the largest capital works project at Perth Zoo for more than 15 years, provides more space, new facilities and new enrichment activities for the elephants," Mrs Faragher said.

"It also provides new visitor facilities including an amphitheatre, elephant conservation signage and additional visitor viewing areas overlooking the female elephants' mud wallow and pool."

The Minister said the new Asian Elephant exhibit included two additional exercise and display yards for the elephants as well as upgraded storage and food preparation areas.

"These two additional yards are joined by a through-gate creating one large area with a grove of mature rainforest trees for the female elephants, 52-year-old matriarch Tricia and 19-year-old Permai," she said.

"Importantly, these additional areas have freed up the original elephant yard for the exclusive use of the bull elephant, 19-year-old Putra Mas, who now also has a new barn and his own mud wallow.

"Mud baths provide very real benefits for the elephants. They cake themselves in the mud then rub their bodies against the scratching poles, exfoliating dead skin.

"In addition to feeling good and providing protection from the sun and insects, the mud wallows are also fun and stimulating for the elephants."