Mali’s suffering in Manila until death complicates elephant exchange

The Department of National Zoological Gardens is yet to receive an official request from the Philippines for a replacement for Wishwa Mali (Mali), the elephant that died recently in Manila, said acting director general Ranjan Marasinghe.

The elephant was a diplomatic gift to then- first lady Imelda Marcos by the Sri Lankan government in 1977.

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna this week told a news conference about plans to request a replacement from Sri Lanka.

Mr Marasinghe told the Sunday Times that as Asian elephants are listed in CITES ( Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) Appendix 01, they can only be diplomatically gifted or exchanged through animal exchange programmes.

He added that even if the Philippines officially makes a request through diplomatic channels via the Foreign Ministry and the President, the department would first send a team of officials to the Manila Zoo to see for themselves the situation.

“The Manila Zoo should meet the requirements, or we will not provide an animal. It is reported that they failed to meet the requirements of Mali. We could also give them an opportunity to redeem themselves if they can give the assurance that the animal they obtain would be well cared for.’’

Mali had suffered as it was kept alone (Pic courtesy PETA)

Lawsuits have been filed against sending elephants overseas by animal rights activist groups; therefore, if any elephant is given, it should be done after seeking the Attorney General’s advice, he said.

“It is very unlikely that an elephant would be given to the Philippines under the current situation; however, if an animal is given priority, it would be given on assurance that the animal is looked after well,” he said.

Meanwhile, international media reported that the Manila City government planned to ask the Sri Lankan government for an elephant following the death of Mali.

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna said in a press briefing on Wednesday, November 29, that the Sri Lankan government had earlier committed to giving an elephant during one of their visits.

She said they would inform them of the death of the female elephant, Mali, and request a replacement.

However, animal rights activists pointed out that the she-elephant Mali had suffered as it was kept alone. The animal also suffered health complications such as cancer and leg-related ailments and had died from heart failure.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia issued a statement in response to the death of the elephant Mali, who was at the Manila Zoo for 46 years.

The statement read: “Because of indifference and greed, Mali died the same way she had lived for nearly 50 years — alone in a barren concrete pen. PETA, cultural and political leaders, world- renowned elephant experts, and other kind people from around the world all pleaded for her release to a sanctuary, where she could have enjoyed the company of other elephants. Instead, the Manila Zoo and the City of Manila sentenced Mali to decades of solitary confinement— torture for female elephants, who in nature spend their lives among their mothers and sisters, protecting one another and raising each other’s calves— and now she has lost any chance of happiness.”

The statement also said that despite repeated warnings, zoo and city officials ignored Mali’s painful foot problems and sentenced her to years of suffering.

PETA also called on the Sri Lankan government to halt any likely plans to send another elephant to the Manila Zoo to avert any other elephant having to endure what Mali did for years.

Because of indifference and greed, Mali died the same way she had lived for nearly 50 years — alone in a barren concrete pen