Sambo, the Wat Phnom Elephant, Dies Aged 63
Sambo the elephant serves tourism services at Wat Phnom and when it's dead in Mondulkiri. Photo: EVP and Department of Tourism Mondulkiri
- By Ung Chamroeun
- October 20, 2023 2:10 PM
PHNOM PENH – The female elephant Sambo, commonly known as ‘Wat Phnom Elephant’ for carrying tourists at the landmark, died on Oct. 19 at the age of 63, nine years after she retired.
The Elephant Valley Project (EVP) said the cause of death was dental disease and her health had deteriorated since last month.
Before her retirement and settlement in the Mondulkiri in 2014, Sambo lived with her owner, Sin Sorn, for over 40 years and had close relationships with the family of Im Sophal, another elephant keeper.
At Sambo’s funeral, EVP project members said they had countless memories with Sambo, especially Sophal, who looked after Sambo for over 20 years.
On the day of Sambo leaving for Mondulkiri on November 30, 2014, Sin Sorn said he treated Sambo as his sister as she had been living with his family since she was eight years old.
“As I and my family were chronically ill, I had no choice but to retire Sambo to Elephant Valley Project to take care of her,” Sin Sorn said.
The Department of Information in Mondulkiri said Sambo had been living under the Elephant Livelihood Initiative Environment in Putrom village.
Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this story was translated by Rin Ousa for Cambodianess.
