PETA Mourns Mali, Lone Elephant at the 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, 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 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 the city of Manila sentenced Mali to decades of solitary confinement, which is torturous for female elephants, who naturally would spend their lives among their mothers and sisters, protecting one another and raising each other’s calves.

Despite repeated warnings, zoo and city officials ignored Mali’s clearly painful foot problems, which are the leading cause of death in captive elephants. If foot issues played a role in Mali’s death, every person who denied her veterinary care and blocked her transfer to a sanctuary should be held accountable.

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Thanks to everyone who rallied for Mali’s release prior to her death—including Dr. Jane Goodall, Sir Paul McCartney, The Smashing Pumpkins, Pamela Anderson, Ely Buendia, Cat Stevens, Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes, Brigitte Bardot, Morrissey, J.M. Coetzee, Geneva Cruz, Amanda Griffin Jacob, Jake Zyrus, Bianca Valerio, Daiana Menezes, Sheena Vera Cruz, Mia Ayesa, Julia Sniegowski, Ornusa Cadness, Isabella Gonzalez, Sanya Smit, Alicia Silverstone, Lea Salonga, and thousands of school children.

People everywhere can do their part to protect other elephants by staying away from any business that puts animals on display for entertainment.

Take Action for Elephants Now!