Free Mo Mo

Mo Mo the elephant just turned 63 years old, which is quite a feat for an elephant raised in captivity. While many of those in the wild tend to live to a ripe old age, zoo-raised elephants' lives tend to be much shorter.

To celebrate Momo's unexpectedly long life, the Yangon Zoological Gardens dressed her up in a sparkly outfit, gave her a feast of bananas, and released 62 birds. It was a big spectacle, and probably made the zoo a lot of money, but I doubt it was how Mo Mo would have chosen to spend her birthday.

 

Mo Mo has spent the last 56 years of her life in captivity, performing with the other elephants for zoo visitors. Her special trick is playing the harmonica and shaking her hips to the beat. If this weren't sad enough, all of the other elephants - Aung Toe, Ma Toe, Moe Meit, and Ma Yang Kot - who performed with her over the years have passed away. 

 

Instead of releasing 62 birds to celebrate Mo Mo's birthday, the Yangon Zoological Gardens should have released Mo Mo. It is a miracle that she has managed to survive all these years in captivity; let's give her the rest and respite she deserves. Please sign this petition demanding that the Yangon Zoo release Mo Mo to an elephant sanctuary where she can live out her final years with peace and dignity.