Sambo the Elephant, Phnom Penh Cambodia

Filmed: April 26, 2009. Phnom Penh riverside in front of the Royal Palace at 6:30 AM, so many people up early doing exercise and playing soccer and stuff before the heat settles in, at this time of morning it's about 28c.

Sambo is a 50 year old female elephant who lives in the capital city of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. Her caretaker says that she was hurt but survived the Khmer Rouge. She is somewhat of a celebrity in her hometown, where every morning she walks a couple kilometers from the palace to Wat Phnom Park where she spends the day eating sugar cane tips. Also she is treated to bananas that tourists buy and feed her. She seems well cared for, has a few caretakers, one in particular who has been with her for more than 10 years. In the heat of the day, she is often soaked with some cool water from a garden hose set up specifically for her. Before she walks, she has to put on her sandals, this protects her feet fromthe extremely hot pavement. It may not look it, but this is April and the temp is between 35-40c. Oh, the blue stuff on her toes is a medicine applied by a vet, nothing serious.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• elephant
• cambodia
• phnom penh
• early morning
• walking
• riverfront

[Drachenfrau2011]

This 51 year old elephant, which is being worked at Wat Phnom, can hardly walk because she has severe feet problems. Sambo should NOT be entertaining tourist, least be ridden. She needs to be retired so that she can get the medical care she needs. Check out the website of EARS Asia for details. w w w earsasia org

By the way: No elephant should be ridden on the back. The back is not strong enough.. If you know how to ge

[westislandkev]

@Drachenfrau2011 I totally agree that animals should not be used to entertain humans, I just wish her a peaceful existence in a safe environment.

[Liindaxoxo]

nice videoo !

[westislandkev]

Thanks for the comment !!

[TruckHax]

oh yea been here many times...



[jeffmagic32]

I met Sambo and her owner at Wat Phnom earlier this year.