In brief
Yangon Zoo hosted a day of celebration for 73‑year‑old elephant Momo. Children, parents, and older visitors shared songs, stories, and gifts, while zoo workers highlighted the elephant’s long tenure and past performances. Momo’s birthday became a generational reminder of the animal’s role in local culture.
On Sunday, Yangon Zoo in Myanmar hosted a celebratory day for its 73‑year‑old elephant, Momo, drawing visitors of all ages to mark the animal’s milestone. Children sang “Happy Birthday,” protesters swayed Momo’s trunk in response, and staff gave her a fruit and vegetable feast shaped into a cake.
Elephant keeper Than Myint Tun, the warden of Yangon Zoological Gardens, recalled that Momo was donated to the zoo in 1961 and that she began performing in shows and ceremonies such as the opening of the Shwedagon Pagoda stairway. For the past decade, Momo “has become a grandmother‑like figure” in the zoo’s collection, with younger visitors now experiencing her directly instead of only through books.
Nineteen‑year‑old Thuta Nyan Kywal said the day was “exciting” and that she learned about Momo’s habits and food. She added, “I wish Momo a long and healthy life. Happy birthday, Momo!”
Sixty‑year‑old Thida Soe reminisced that “seeing Momo again is like a journey back to my childhood.” She described Momo as gentle, noting that the elephant has changed with age but remains beloved. Thida added, “Not everyone, even among humans, gets to live that long.”
According to Momo’s former lead performer, the elephant stopped formal performances when she turned 60 in 2013. The zoo has since celebrated the animal’s birthday annually, a tradition that has brought together multiple generations of visitors.
Activities during the day included a photo‑op, fan meetings, and the presentation of a small cake of fruit that Momo "devoured" with a calm demeanor. Her presence day‑lighted the gates and echoed through generations of stories told by families who have visited her.
The event unfolded against the backdrop of the zoo’s age‑old traditions, with staff members noting Momo’s significance in the community both as a living witness to Myanmar’s shifts and as a symbol of continuity.
Momo’s birthday has become a cultural touchstone for those who grew up attending her performances. Many visitors expressed gratitude for two decades of “care and affection” the zoo has provided, underscoring how Momo remains a living link to Myanmar’s heritage. The zoo’s staff celebrated the live‑in grad‑like status of the elephant during a final moment when visitors climbed a nearby tree to gently scratch her trunk and bask together in the sun.
