The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) is pleased to see the Department of Environment and Natural Resources taking elephant protection so seriously. The destruction of P420-million worth of ivory elephant tusks will send a strong message to the international community that the cruel slaughter of elephants will not be tolerated. Poachers, unwilling to waste valuable ivory, hack off elephants’ faces with machetes, hatchets or axes. Often, entire families are poached at once, and the ground is littered with the faceless bodies of murdered elephants.
Peta would like to see authorities go one step further and protect all elephants from harm and exploitation. One example is Mali, the lonely elephant suffering from potentially fatal and painful foot ailments inside a shamefully inadequate enclosure at the Manila Zoo. Despite the fact that a lush sanctuary has already agreed to accept her—and in spite of the overwhelming support of religious leaders, celebrities, politicians, and the Philippine public for her transfer—the zoo is keeping her from the veterinary care and the company of other elephants that she so desperately needs.
Peta reminds anyone who sees ivory being sold to report it immediately to the DENR.
—ASHLEY FRUNO,
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals,
AshleyF@PETAAsiaPacific.com