A terminally ailing Perth man was granted his remaining want to say goodbye to Permai the elephant at Perth Zoo earlier than transferring to her new dwelling in South Australia.
Grant Harris spent greater than 27 years of his life working as an elephant keeper at Perth Zoo and was working with Permai when she arrived in Perth in 1992.
After being recognized with a terminal sickness and with simply days to reside, Mr Harris’ dying want was to see the 35-year-old elephant one final time along with his household, and say goodbye earlier than she made the journey to her new dwelling at Montarto Safari Park in South Australia.
With assist from volunteers at Ambulance Want WA and Perth Zoo, the 64-year-old was in a position to depart his hospice mattress at St John of God Murdoch Hospital to say goodbye to Permai and his former colleagues.
Ambulance Want WA coordinator and clinician Les Anderson stated it was probably the most particular he had been a part of among the many many he’s seen through the years.
“The second they wheeled Grant in to see Permai he lit up,” Mr Anderson stated.
“Hospital workers stated he had been in numerous ache and his temper had been very low. The second he noticed his zoo household and Permai he immediately grew to become animated, and his smile lit up the room.
“You can inform that Permai recognised him and that that they had a bond. The second he was pushed up shut sufficient to feed her, she was proper at his facet and was touching him along with her trunk and holding his trunk in her hand. It was such an emotional second.”
Mr Anderson stated Mr Harris was additionally reunited along with his former colleagues.
“Grant had educated numerous the present workers earlier than he retired and Perth Zoo allowed all their keepers to return by and spend time with him regardless that they have been working that day,” he stated.
“Grant acquired to spend three hours there along with his household, Permai and his zoo household who actually embraced him. Everybody was crying comfortable tears.”
Mr Harris sadly handed away two days after saying goodbye to Permai and his former Perth Zoo colleagues.
