No place for Mali

Laudable was the editorial on Mali, the 38-year-old elephant caged in Manila Zoo for more than 30 years (Inquirer, 6/24/12). I agree: Mali should be kept there no further.

I’ve read somewhere that elephants are gifted with incredible memory. Thus, we human beings hear such compliments as “Hey, dear, you have such an elephant memory.”

I’ve also read somewhere that an elephant nearing death has an incredible memory, which enables it to trace back his home forest; that while still able, an elephant walks slowly toward the place, like a man journeys to a mosque, and there falls down to die.

Like us human beings, elephants are sentient, endowed with feelings. The editorial’s advice to Manila Zoo official Donald Manalastas should be heeded: Allow Mali to mingle with others of her kind for the remaining years of her life. Then she will not be vulnerable to loneliness.

—HONORATA VICENCIO,

honoratavicencio@yahoo.com.ph