A team from Auckland Zoo visited Australia Zoo just three weeks ago to pave the way for the relocation of Burma only for it to pull the pin in an email on Easter Monday.
The 38-year-old elephant was due to cross the ditch next week to retire with a herd on the Sunshine Coast.
But zoo director Kevin Buley told Nick Truebridge he's shocked and gutted the deal, which was 12 months in the making, has now fallen over.
