PHNOM PENH (AFP) - Phnom Penh's only working elephant was blessed by a crowd of chanting Buddhist monks Tuesday as she prepared for a life of comfortable jungle retirement after three decades of giving rides to tourists.
Sambo, a 54-year-old female, had been a fixture at the Cambodian capital's Wat Phnom temple since 1980.
She was forced to stop giving rides in 2012 after suffering a foot infection - and after local officials accused her of causing traffic jams.
Her owner and campaigners wanted to see the faithful pachyderm rewarded for years of loyal service with a retirement away from the blaring city, a wish that was eventually made possible by international funding.