“My Dear Mali,
Your death does not make me cry; rather, it is human insensitivity to the untold pains and suffering of the vulnerable that brings tears to my eyes.
You at least ended your sorrow- filled, terribly lonely life. You left this callous world having spent nearly fifty difficult years inside a small, concrete enclosure. That was not certainly where you belonged to. You belonged to the wild.
However, not everyone was uncaring. There was a worldwide movement to offer you a better life, allowing you to spend the rest of your life with your loved ones. However, things were never in your favour my dear Mali.”
If it hadn’t been for “human insensitivity,” her story may have ended happily. Mali, often referred to as the “Saddest Elephant in the World,” spent her entire life in solitude in an enclosure at the Manila Zoo until her passing last week.
Mali does not need any introduction. Her plight was brought to the attention of the world in 2007, when People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) launched an international campaign; ‘ Free Mali’, calling for her transfer to a sanctuary in Thailand. Many celebrities including Dr. Jane Goodall and Sir Paul McCartney, a host of Filipino stars such as Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes, and animal lovers across the globe including schoolgoers and professionals rallied around this massive campaign to rescue Mali from her painful existence.
Sir McCartney even wrote to Philippine President Benigno Aquino III back in 2013, requesting Mali’s transfer to an animal sanctuary to “bring an end to her suffering.”
Born free
In 1981, at the tender age of 11 months, Mali, (Vishwamali) was presented as a diplomatic gift to the former First Lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos, from the Sri Lankan government.
Initially sharing her living space with another elephant named Shiva, Mali had been residing solo in her enclosure since Shiva’s passing in 1990.
Truth
Mali’s passing as well as her solitary, painful nearly 45 years in captivity, urge reflection. Let her death serve as an eye-opener for animal welfare. Let her case serve as a wake-up call, an eye-opener for all of us.
For the sake of not hearing such devastating stories ever again, we should avoid keeping elephants in captivity at all. There will be many more ‘Mali(s)’ as long as people prefer to watch animals in zoos rather than in their natural habitats. Zoos that do not have proper facilities and adequate care to handle colossal animals such as elephants should at least refrain from keeping elephants under deplorable conditions for sheer monetary gains. The best would be to say no to zoos or any form of animal captivity altogether.
Say no to zoos
A true animal lover would never tolerate keeping any animal in captivity. They would never consider animals as objects, or exhibits which are on display at a “zoo” or “animal exhibition center.” It’s puzzling that the concept of zoos persists, despite the widespread call for animals to remain in their natural habitats. Animals are meant for the wild and should not be exploited for our entertainment.
The confinement of animals in zoos raises ethical concerns about the cruelty associated with depriving them of their natural habitats. Captive animals often suffer from stress, boredom, and restricted movement, which can lead to adverse physical and psychological effects. The unnatural living conditions in zoos can result in behaviours such as pacing, aggression, and self-harm, indicating the distress these animals endure. Moreover, the limited space and lack of mental stimulation contribute to a diminished quality of life for these creatures, challenging the ethical justification for keeping them in captivity solely for human entertainment.
As Ven. Ajahn Suchart Abhijato Maha Thera recently said in an interview with the writer; “if you are a true Buddhist, you will never put anybody in captivity, because you can imagine how you would feel if you were undergoing a similar plight.”
As the Thera emphasised the Buddhist view regarding animal captivity is that “we should not put an animal in captivity because we do not like to be kept in captivity ourselves, so we do not want to treat others likewise. We should not put animals or people in a cage. We should let them live freely.”
Sense of shame
Humanity should feel a sense of shame if they subject the vulnerable to suffering without extending a helping hand. Likewise, causing animals to suffer for personal gratification is a disgraceful act. Whether confined in zoos or elsewhere, animals in captivity endure significant hardships to fulfill people’s insatiable desires. Why can’t we be more caring?
Animal lovers ought to unite in their efforts to prevent another elephant from enduring the same wretched conditions that Mali endured for nearly five decades.
We should reconsider the practice of gifting elephants as diplomatic gestures, as the exchange of animals is a distressing experience. So, painful since the animal has no idea what is happening to it. The poor animal is unable to decide for itself. And it becomes the responsibility of humans to ensure a safe and joyful environment for these creatures.
PETA’s views
“Because of indifference and greed, Mali died the same way she had lived for nearly 50 years—alone in a barren concrete pen.” PETA ( People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) Asia’s Animal Assistance Programs Director, Ashley Fruno said.
“The lack of exercise and severely restricted space led to Mali’s painful joint and foot problems. The Manila Zoo announced that Mali had cancer that was not detected by their veterinarians until after she died. Due to the fact that there is no elephant expert in the country, Mali was never provided with routine veterinary care—something she would have been given at the sanctuary PETA was prepared to transfer her to. Every person who denied her veterinary care and blocked her transfer to a sanctuary should be held accountable for their part in allowing Mali’s suffering,” said Fruno.
As initially mentioned, PETA’s worldwide campaign to release Mali started back in 2007. The online campaign ‘Free Mali’ also received worldwide attention. Fruno shared with us the long battle to rescue Mali and the reasons why it failed.
PETA Asia’s Animal Assistance Program Director , Ashley Fruno
“PETA volunteered to cover all expenses related to Mali’s transport and the care needed to prepare her for the journey. We have also agreed to coordinate every aspect of the transfer. Despite PETA’s pleas and the support of cultural and political leaders, world-renowned elephant experts, dozens of other animal protection organizations, and more than 100,000 compassionate people from around the globe, zoo, and city officials ignored Mali’s clearly- painful foot problems and mental distress, sentencing her to years of suffering.,” Fruno said
Mali’s saddest death has reignited debates about the welfare of animals in captivity and zoos’ obligations to provide adequate medical care. Fruno highlighted the reasons that make it a pressing need to advocate for the well-being and freedom of animals.
“The public outrage over Mali’s death tells everyone that animals deserve humane treatment as a matter of moral responsibility and that it isn’t right to imprison them for human entertainment or profit. PETA will keep speaking out for animals in captivity by launching advocacy campaigns to raise awareness about why people shouldn’t support zoos, aquariums, and other entertainment facilities; potentially pursuing legal action against those responsible for neglect; and promoting alternatives to traditional zoos such as sanctuaries.”
Even though PETA does not have global statistics on solitary elephants that suffer in zoos across the world, Fruno emphasised that female elephants stay in their herds for their entire lives, and facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) require that zoos have a minimum of three females (or the space to have three females).
Shouldn’t we reconsider the practice of exchanging animals as diplomatic gifts, given that once gifted, the animal becomes the property of the receiving country? The transfer can be a distressing experience for the animals involved, as exemplified by the case of Mali, gifted from Sri Lanka to the Philippines.
“PETA’s view is that the practice of exchanging animals as diplomatic gifts should be banned, considering the distressing experiences it imposes on the animals involved. Animals gifted in diplomatic exchanges face disruption to their natural habitats and separation from familiar environments, leading to psychological and physical distress,” Fruno said.
“Ending the practice of exchanging animals as diplomatic gifts is crucial,” emphasized Fruno. “To strengthen our campaign, we can raise public awareness through social media, collaborate with NGOs, engage influential figures, pursue legal avenues, and encourage diplomatic channels to adopt more humane practices.
“How can individual countries unite in support of PETA’s mission to combat the keeping of animals in captivity under inadequate health and nutrition conditions? What collaborative measures can be taken to amplify the impact of this shared advocacy?” the Sunday Observer asked Fruno.
“To support PETA’s mission against keeping animals in captivity, countries could form a global coalition for animal welfare. This coalition should share best practices, endorse international standards, and collectively advocate for stricter regulations. Recent global recognition of elephants’ needs in captivity, with zoo closures and India’s directive to transfer elephants to sanctuaries, highlights the momentum for change,” she said.
Fruno emphasized that anyone who cares about animals should avoid zoos, aquariums, and any attractions that keep animals captive for entertainment purposes. The bottom line is that animals are not ours to use for entertainment,” she said.
PETA calls on the government of Sri Lanka to halt possible plans to transfer another elephant to the Manila Zoo. “Sentencing another elephant to the decades of psychological abuse that Mali endured shows a lack of even basic understanding of an elephant’s needs.”
