For the health and happiness of Mali

Kathy Moran

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At a sanctuary, Mali can roam around, bathe in rivers and ponds, be in the crucial company of other elephants, and get veterinary care

MALI'S HEALTH AND HAPPINESS. Everyone wants what's best for Mali. Photo by Katherine Visconti/Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – It saddens me to no end when I read stories in the news about how we have failed to keep our rescues alive and well.

On a trip I made to the Philippine Eagle Sanctuary in Davao a few years back, I was filled with mixed feelings. I know that the sanctuary is trying to keep our Philippine Eagle from becoming extinct — so they breed them in captivity. 

Yet the people behind the sanctuary are also aware of the fact that here in the Philippines we do not have the forest cover to keep these eagles alive in their natural habitat. The eagles are faced with lots of danger when they are released in the wild — either they get caught in electric wires as they scavenge for food below or are caught by villagers in the area.

Then there was the case of Lolong, the captured crocodile in Agusan, which died recently. When will we ever learn that animals caught in the wild seldom survive captivity in a small pond?

Gone too soon: Crying real tears for Lolong

Mali, the elephant in Manila Zoo who has served as our elephant for over 30 years now, is sick. As far as I am concerned, she deserves to spend the rest of her life in a sanctuary where she can be treated like royalty. 

Just this week, thousands of students from schools in Metro Manila made cards and wrote letters in support of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia’s campaign calling for Mali the elephant to be transferred from the Manila Zoo to a sanctuary.

The drawings and handwritten appeals were to be delivered to President Benigno Aquino III, who has issued a directive to consider Mali’s relocation.

READ: Battle heats up over elephant at Manila Zoo

“There’s one thing that children, politicians, celebrities, animal welfare groups, and elephant experts have all agreed on: Mali needs — and deserves — to be transferred to a proper sanctuary,” said PETA Asia campaigns manager Rochelle Regodon. “PETA hopes President Aquino will take immediate action to ensure that Mali is freed from the isolation and neglect that she has endured for 36 years.”

At a sanctuary, Mali can roam around, bathe in rivers and ponds, be in the crucial company of other elephants, and get veterinary care for potentially fatal foot problems caused by her decades-long captivity. 

We can do our share to help save Mali. Here are a few ways: 

  1. “Like” the Free Mali page on Facebook to stay updated on the campaign (Facebook.com/FreeMali), and so that you can share ways to help with friends and family.
  2. Follow PETA on Twitter (Twitter.com/PETAAsia).
  3. Visit PETAAsiaPacific.com to sign the petition to urge the government to expedite Mali’s transfer. It only takes 30 seconds!
  4. If you’re a teacher and want to involve your students in this campaign, send e-mail to Info@PETAAsiaPacific.com.
  5. If you would like free Mali leaflets and stickers to distribute to your friends, family, and co-workers, e-mail Info@PETAAsiaPacific.com or call 817-5292.
  6. To get involved in outreach activities, and for campaign updates and all the latest animal rights news, join PETA’s activist network at PETAAsiaPacific.com.
  7. Write or call Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala and urge him to take action for Mali. You may send letters to Department of Agriculture, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City, or e-mail spja_osec@da.gov.ph.
  8. Follow in the lead of the thousands of Metro Manila students who have made cards and written letters in support of moving Mali. Make your own card and send it to PETA Asia, Unit 706, Fedman Building, 199 Salcedo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati 1229.
  9. Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim didn’t show up for a recent meeting with PETA, and refuses to take action for Mali. Remind Mayor Lim that Mali’s feet are causing her pain every single day that she stays in the zoo. Write to him atfredlim@fredlim.com, or call his office at 527-4920.
  10. Get mugged to help Mali! E-mail Info@PETAAsiaPacific.com to request a mug shot sign and then send us a photo of yourself holding it.
– Rappler.com

 

(What are YOUR thoughts on Mali? We want to know. Post your comments below.)

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