In brief
At Yangon Zoological Gardens, elephant Momo celebrated her 73rd birthday amid singing, dancing and a fruit‑cake feast. Visitors from all ages reminisced about their past encounters, while zoo warden Than Myint Tun highlighted Momo’s transformative journey from performer to revered grandparent figure.
On Sunday, the bustling gates of Yangon Zoo swung open to welcome families, monks, and children for a day dedicated to Momo, the 73‑year‑old Asian elephant who has become a living icon in Myanmar. The celebration—organized by the zoo’s public relations team and coordinated by warden Than Myint Tun—featured traditional birthday songs, a fruit‑cake shaped meal, and a heartfelt tribute from both new and familiar visitors.
As “Happy Birthday” rang through the air, Momo herself seemed to enjoy the reverence. The elephant twitched her trunk and lifted her legs in a slow, deliberate sway, as if nodding in acknowledgment. Observers noted her calm demeanor, especially after her performance career ended over a decade ago, and many murmured thank‑yous for her gentle presence. After the singing, Momo was presented with a selection of fruits and vegetables carefully arranged into a cake‑like shape on a wooden table; she leapt gracefully and began to nibble, her ears flapping in glee.
The event drew people from across generations. Seventeen‑year‑old family group included 11‑year‑old Thuta Nyan Kywal, her mother, and a sister. “When I was younger, I only saw elephants in textbooks,” Thuta recalled. “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.” The child added, “I wish Momo a long and healthy life. Happy birthday, Momo!”
Thida Soe, a 60‑year‑old veteran visitor, spoke candidly about the past that Momo’s presence rekindled. She explained, “I have known Momo since I was young and used to visit her at the zoo. Seeing her brings back so many childhood memories.” Thida emphasized the unusual longevity of the elephant, noting, “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.”
For 73 years, Momo has been a staple of Yangon Zoo’s public life. Than Myint Tun, who has overseen the zoo since 2009, traced the animal’s journey to her broader cultural impact: “Momo was donated to Yangon Zoo in 1961. Over the decades she has grown from a young performing elephant into a much‑loved grandmother figure and one of the zoo’s most recognizable residents.” He recalled, “During her younger years, Momo entertained visitors with performances and dances. She also took part in significant national events, including the opening ceremony of the Shwedagon Pagoda stairway.”
Momo halted her public performances in 2013, when she turned 60, after which the zoo shifted her focus to more gentle interactions with visitors. Than Myint Tun said, “Since then, we have celebrated her birthday every year. Now she has turned 73, we are truly in awe of her longevity and the affection that surrounds her.” He added that the zoo’s staff have taken extra steps to accommodate her changing energy levels, providing specialized diet plans, and reduced workload.
As the day drew to a close, families shared their photographs and anecdotes on social media, creating a living archive of Momo’s influence on multiple generations. The zoo has encouraged visitors to send messages to Momo, contributing to a digital time capsule that will be donated to the zoo’s permanent museum in the future. The event not only celebrated a centenarian in age but also commemorated a life that has touched countless hearts across Myanmar’s cultural landscape.
