There is an elephant in Manila Zoo that is being kept in inhumane conditions. Mali has languished in the elephant equivalent of a prison for over 40 years. She is confined to a small concrete pen with no contact with other elephants. Aside from the isolation and unnatural habitat, she appears to be in pain and is being denied medical attention.
Elephants are very social and females stay with their birth herd for life, needing constant contact with other elephants and room to roam with the herd, which is constantly on the move.
I am aware that the zoo is undergoing reconstruction and that Mali’s new enclosure will include other animals, like hippopotamus. This is still a long way from acceptable. Mali needs to be with other elephants.
Zoos worldwide have begun to recognize that elephants in captivity are never happy and are resettling their elephants in sanctuaries. Mali has been offered a place at Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary, but the zoo is not receptive.
Why is Manila Zoo so slow to wake up to the needs of the animals in its care?
REBECCA ANDERSEN
New South Wales
Australia
hotmustard318@yahoo.com.au