No educational gains from zoo visits

QUOTING FROM Shakespeare’s Henry V: “Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more…” we need your help. I’ve just been informed by Mariel Jana Sevilla of Peta [People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals] about an old elephant that has been behind bars at the Manila Zoo for the past 31 years. No animal should be abused for whatever reason, be it scientific, religious, educational or social. Research is for laboratories, not zoos—and not on live animals.

Mariel’s comment to me about Manila Zoo: “I was a guest at dzMM’s show and the topic was about Manila Zoo. I can’t believe that a lot of people are still in favor of Manila Zoo. Those animals were sentenced to life imprisonment but none of them are criminals. That’s downright abuse of the minorities! Just because they are four-legged or can’t speak? It’s so disheartening. Mali, the lone elephant in Manila Zoo, has been there for 31 years. Oh my gosh, let me repeat that, if you didn’t get it. She’s been there for 31 years! And people still ask how would children learn about elephants if she will be taken to a sanctuary? But what did you learn after seeing an elephant? That they’re huge?! That’s it! No one will die if they never see an elephant. Give her a break!”

Please, alert your readers to the unnecessary cruelty of keeping animals in zoos to be gaped at by tourists, well-meaning but ignorant teachers and their gullible young charges and all—to fatten the zoo’s coffers.

—ISABELA GONZALEZ,

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