Elephant Momo’s 69th birthday celebrated

A living icon of the Yangon Zoological Garden — Momo the elephant was congratulated on its 69th birthday on 29 October.
Officials of the Yangon Zoological Garden prepared alms food and robes for the monk. Merits were yesterday distributed to all the animals that died after living in Yangon Zoological Garden.
As Momo’s Birthday Weekend, fun fair programmes inside the Yangon Zoological Garden such as a birthday cake for Momo and a photo exhibition of Momo’s photos, music concerts, magic shows, and animal performances commemorative photo shoots among others were held. Many fans came to the event which included stalls and games.
Momo has been entertaining visitors at the zoo for more than 50 years before she retired in 2016. She was born in 1953 and turned 69 this year. People’s favourite elephant, Momo was spotted wandering in the woods alone by U Khun Sanda, the timber worker from Loikaw Township, Kayah State in 1961. Then, he decided to hand her over to the Yangon Zoological Garden. He named the elephant “Momo” after his wife when officials from the Yangon Zoological Gardens asked her name.
It is known that Momo has been performing concerts for visitors at the zoo and also carried the sacred relic of the tooth of the Lord Buddha in the State’s flagship events. Though she stepped back from the entertainment business, she has been caring for baby elephants at the Yangon Zoological Garden.
Since Momo’s 60th birthday, the birthday party has been held annually. It is celebrated with a birthday cake which is made of sugar canes, bananas, fruits, and releasing of birds. — TWA/GNLM