Perth Zoo’s beloved Asian elephant Tricia dies aged 65

Taylor RenoufThe West Australian
CommentsComments
Camera IconPerth Zoo’s beloved Asian elephant Tricia has died aged 65. Credit: The West Australian

Perth Zoo’s beloved Asian elephant Tricia has died aged 65.

Tricia, who was one of the oldest Asian elephants cared for by a zoo in the world, passed away on Wednesday night after a rapid deterioration of her health.

The adored matriarch — who celebrated her milestone birthday in January — had been experiencing “age-related” problems for years, with Perth Zoo’s Senior Elephant Keeper Kirsty Carey speaking about the animal’s struggles in 2016.

Your user agent does not support frames or is currently configured not to display frames. This frame is attempting to link to https://omny.fm/shows/the-west-live/perth-will-remember-tricia-the-elephant-forever/embed

Camera IconCrowds watch as elephant Tricia arrived at Fremantle Wharf. Credit: UNKNOWN/WAN Historical Archive
Read more...

The adored animal, named after the 1962 Miss Australia Tricia Reschke, was born on January 24, 1957, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and arrived in Perth six years later.

The elephant’s start to life in Perth was far from easy, joining the zoo at a time when “zoos were a random collection of animals kept for human enjoyment”.

“Many of our older visitors recall Tricia living in a concrete enclosure,” Ms Carey said.

Camera IconTricia the elephant at Perth Zoo in 1981. Credit: The West Australian/The West Australian

However, as the years passed, Tricia’s enclosure received much-needed upgrades and she started to receive care from a team of six specialised zoo keepers.

Through her “ele art” and daily strolls through the facility she became an iconic Perth Zoo figure.

Camera IconTricia on one of her walks around the zoo grounds. Credit: Michael O'Brien/WA NEWS

Tricia’s impact on the people of Perth is evident in the outpouring of love she has received since Zoo staff broke the sad news that the elephant didn’t have “long to go” on Monday.

“I’ve loved you Tricia since I first saw you when I was a little girl and now I’m late 40s,” wrote one Facebook user.

“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,” another zoo patron added.

Camera IconTricia made amazing art through the Zoo’s enrichment program which allowed the animals to create paintings using 100% non-toxic materials. Credit: Nic Ellis/The West Australian

Tricia will be sorely missed by West Aussies and animal lovers worldwide but her legacy will never be forgotten.

In a tribute to the much-loved zoo Icon, TransPerth named a ferry MV Tricia after her in 2019.

Tricia’s passing will mark the beginning of a massive change to Perth Zoo as the organisation looks to say goodbye to its remaining elephants.

Your user agent does not support frames or is currently configured not to display frames. This frame is attempting to link to https://omny.fm/shows/the-west-live/susannah-carrs-touching-last-moments-with-tricia/embed

“Once Tricia is no longer with us we will find new homes for our remaining male, Putra Mas, and female elephant, Permai, within the regional Australasian elephant program,” Perth Zoo’s website states.

“Gone are the days, like in Tricia’s era, when it was appropriate to acquire another individual animal simply as a replacement.

Camera IconElephants Tania and Tricia pictured as babys with zoo keepers Harold Brooke and Jim Ashwin. Credit: UNKNOWN/WA News

“Today, good modern zoos try to replicate a species’ natural living and social conditions.

“We are committed to providing the best for the animals in our care and on this site we cannot develop an elephant exhibit which is appropriate to accommodate a functioning herd comprising of multiple individuals.”

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails