Tributes are flowing for WA icon Tricia who passed away peacefully last night.

At 65, she was Australia’s oldest elephant, and a matriarch at Perth Zoo.

Born in Vietnam in 1957, Tricia later moved to Perth and her death prompted tributes from across WA, including Premier Mark McGowan.

LISTEN 👇 to how you can honour and pay respects to Tricia 

Tricia’s zookeeper Steve Edmunds says it “was an honour and privilege” to have known her.

“You often hear actors and the like say that line talking about a movie or a director that they have worked with. Tricia was a truly incredible elephant and deserves much more,” he said.

“I think that most people would agree that elephants are an amazing animal. Well, Tricia was a very special individual even among her species. Not only those who knew her believed this, elephant carers that had known many elephants also confirmed how special an elephant Tricia was,” he said.

“She was one of my best friends.”

Perth Zoo CEO Wendy Attenborough had some advice for those looking to send condolences to the zoo on the loss.

We’re just so touched by the community outpouring… it’s very moving reading the messages that started to come to us last night,” she told Mark Gibson, in the 6PR Breakfast chair for Gareth Parker.