Mali the Elephant Dies at Manila Zoo
Because of indifference and greed, Mali the elephant died the same way she had lived for nearly 50 years: alone in a concrete pen at the Manila Zoo.
PETA entities worldwide, cultural and political leaders, world-renowned elephant experts, and more than 100,000 compassionate people from around the globe all pleaded for Mali’s release to a sanctuary where she could have enjoyed the company of other elephants.
Mali’s Life and Death
Mali was still a nursing baby when she was taken from her home in Sri Lanka, where she was just learning how to swim, roughhouse with her cousins, and find her own food.
The Manila Zoo and Manila city officials sentenced Mali to decades of solitary confinement, which is torturous for female elephants, who would naturally spend their lives among their mothers and sisters, protecting one another and helping to raise each other’s calves.
She was the only captive elephant in the Philippines. Her life consisted of staring at the same walls every day, with no companionship.
Despite repeated warnings, zoo and city officials ignored Mali’s clearly painful foot problems, which are the leading cause of death among captive elephants. She was denied veterinary care, and her transfer to a sanctuary was blocked.
Loved by Many
Our thanks go to everyone who rallied for Mali’s release prior to her death, including Dr Jane Goodall, Sir Paul McCartney, The Smashing Pumpkins, Ely Buendia, Cat Stevens, Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes, Brigitte Bardot, Morrissey, JM Coetzee, Geneva Cruz, Amanda Griffin Jacob, Jake Zyrus, Bianca Valerio, Daiana Menezes, Sheena Vera Cruz, Mia Ayesa, Julia Sniegowski, Ornusa Cadness, Isabella Gonzalez, Sanya Smith, Pamela Anderson, Alicia Silverstone, and tens of thousands of PETA entity supporters.
Speak Out Against Animal Imprisonment
People everywhere can do their part to protect elephants and other captive wild animals by staying away from any business that puts animals on display for entertainment.
Right now, animals like Kat the orangutan and Bua Noi the gorilla are trapped at Bangkok’s miserable, filthy Pata Zoo. Please help free them:
