In brief
On Sunday, Yangon Zoo celebrated 73rd birthday of the beloved elephant Momo, drawing families who sang "Happy Birthday" and watched the gentle giant participate. Visitors recalled childhood visits and the animal’s long life, while the zoo’s warden noted Momo’s donation in 1961 and her retirement from performances in 2013. The event underscored the elephant’s enduring presence and the nostalgic ties of the community.
At 73, Momo, Yangon Zoo’s beloved Asian elephant, was celebrated on Sunday in Yangon, drawing visitors of all ages who sang a chorus of “Happy Birthday” and watched the gentle giant sway her trunk and move her legs in response to the applause.
After the chant, the zoo staff arranged an assortment of fruits and vegetables in the shape of a cake for the elephant to enjoy, an occasion that filled the air with animal calls and the scent of fresh produce.
Thuta Nyan Kywal, 11, who visited with her mother and sister, said:
"In the past, I only saw elephants in textbooks. Now I can see them in real life and learn how they behave and what they eat. I did not know about Momo before coming here, but today I learned about her and am very happy to join her birthday celebration. I wish Momo a long and healthy life. Happy birthday, Momo!"
Thida Soe, 60, recalled her own childhood:
"I have known Momo since I was young and used to visit her at the zoo. Seeing her brings back so many childhood memories. Although Momo is an animal, people treat her like a human being and celebrate her birthday. She is very gentle. She has changed as she has grown older and cannot be as active as she once was, but she has lived to 73. Not everyone, even among humans, gets to live that long."
According to Than Myint Tun, warden of Yangon Zoological Gardens, Momo was donated to the zoo in 1961. Over the decades she grew from a performing elephant into a beloved grandmother‑figure, displaying her talents in dances and national ceremonies such as the opening of the Shwedagon Pagoda stairway. Momo stopped performing in 2013 at the age of 60 and has since been the focus of annual birthday celebrations.
Today’s ceremony was a testament to the deep connection between the animal and the community, with visitors celebrating not just a birthday but a living legacy that bridges generations.
