It’s been awhile since People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia Pacific approached me and discuss about the concern on Mali, a 36-year old elephant in Manila Zoo. After reading several articles on the case of Mali, I am 100% joining PETA on this plight calling for the transfer of Mali to a better home and not on the Manila Zoo. Up to date there’s already 60, 000 signatures supporting the campaign to transfer Mali to the Department of Agriculture and early this year the House Committee on Natural Resources passed a resolution that aims to look into her welfare and urges the relevant authorities to expedite her transfer. Numerous members of Congress and more than half of the Senate have given us letters of support. Several resolutions have also been submitted at the Senate level.
Why are we having this concern on Mali? It’s because for almost 36 years in living at the Manila Zoo they failed to provide her sufficient veterinary care. Aside from that being on a concrete place and standing for long hours she developed painful foot problems that is one of the major cause of death of captive elephants. Mali is a female elephant which all of them in their specie are extremely social animals for which socialization is fundamental to their mental well-being and being alone in her place makes her unimaginably lonely.
A perfect sanctuary or home for the kinds of Mali is with the company of other elephants. Having the right veterinary care from the experts, and the freedom to do what comes natural to her that includes roam over acres of land, forage for fresh vegetation, and bathe and play in rivers and lakes.
Right now various celebrities and advocates join the campaign to free Mali from Manila Zoo and give her a perfect place to stay. Personalities include ABS-CBN stars Kim Chiu, Maja Salvador, Enrique Gil, Gerald Anderson, Shaina Magdayao, Piolo Pascual, Xian Lim, and Sam Milby posed for “mug shots” in support of the campaign. Pamela Anderson even offered a dinner date to President Benigno Aquino III, but only if Mali’s transfer was up for discussion. Join the petition by putting your digital signature via www.change.org/SaveMali that will help PETA to push their campaign on the government. Be part of this campaign and let us give Mali a better place to stay.
