Short-lived retirement for Sambo?

28 May 2014
The Phnom Penh Post
Civil society / Environment and natural resources / Environment and natural resources policy and administration / Environmental and biodiversity protection / Government / Ministries and other national bodies / Ministry of Information / National parks and wildlife sanctuaries / Social development
EARS / Elephant Asia Rescue and Survival foundation / Elephant Valley Project / Khieu Kanharith / Louise Rogerson / Ministry of Information / Monivong Boulevard / Phnom Penh Thmey / Phnom Tamao sanctuary / Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre / Rattanak Pich / Wat Phnom

Two years after she was walked out of the city in the middle of the night to a quiet life of retirement on the outskirts of the capital, Sambo, Phnom Penh’s iconic and much-beloved elephant, might soon be back at work entertaining tourists. With funding for her recently concluded rehabilitation program now gone, her owner is insisting he has little choice but to begin showcasing her once more at Wat Phnom, a decision contested by the elephant rescue organisation that bankrolled her two-year sabbatical. Sin Sorn, who owns Sambo, says that as the pair are no longer supported by the Elephant Asia Rescue and Survival foundation (EARS), he cannot afford to pay for her food and medical care without the steady income he earned for the more than 20 years that she was a tourist attraction at the temple. …

 Kevin Ponniah and Mom Kunthear
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/short-lived-retirement-sambo