THE two matriarchs of Perth Zoo – Tricia the elephant and Puan the Sumatran orangutan – have celebrated their respective birthdays with specially made cakes.
Tricia, who was born in Vietnam but arrived at Perth Zoo via Singapore in 1963, turned 61-years-old.
Today, the keepers brought her out to celebrate on the main lawn while visitors sang Happy Birthday and she ate a ‘cake’ made using some of her favourite foods.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWSenior elephant keeper Kirsty Carey said Tricia had slowed down a lot in the past few years but was “doing well for an old girl”.
“We know she won’t live forever, every birthday we celebrate with her is a bonus,” she said.
“I am very privileged to be able to care for her in her elderly years, and she’s certainly lost none of her cheekiness.”
Tricia shared a birthday celebration with the oldest resident of the zoo – and the oldest Sumatran orangutan in a zoo anywhere in the world – 62-year-old Puan.
Primate keeper Katie Saunders said Puan actually held the Guinness Book of Records title for her age.
“Puan is an exceptionally important member of the Perth Zoo family,” she said.
“She is the founder of our world famous breeding program with her offspring now residing all over the world.
“She has slowed down a lot but has certainly not lost any of her Puan stubbornness.”