An elephant that had been forced to carry people on its back for 15 years in Cambodia’s tourism industry has collapsed and died after transporting two tourists on its back in blistering heat.
Facebook User Yem Senok posted pictures of the collapsed elephant, an elderly female one known as Sambo.
Reports say Sambo collapsed on the roadside while carrying two tourists to an ancient Cambodian Temple in Angkor Wat near Bakheng Mountain.
According to the veterinarian who examined her, Sambo had died from a heart attack due to over exhaustion from working in high temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius and a lack of wind to help cool her down.
Animal activists are outraged and demanding answers as to why Sambo was forced to work in such weather conditions.
Meanwhile, a Cambodian tour operator said it would reduce work hours for elephants during high temperatures following the incident.
