Stars Slam Manila Zoo!

The decrepit Manila Zoo was recently a trending topic on Twitter, and with good reason: the conditions for animals at the aged facility are rumored to be some of the worst in Asia. Animals languish in trash-filled cement enclosures with little enrichment, and many of them, including the zoo’s lone elephant, Mali, appear to have gone insane from intense confinement, as they spend their days circling or pacing the cages and enclosures.

For more than 30 years, Mali has spent her days alone in a barren enclosure with only a small pool for entertainment and for relief from the heat. Mali paces her small area incessantly or stands in one spot with her trunk to the ground. Mali has reportedly walked to the edge of her enclosure, reached out her foot in the hope of going farther, and even after feeling empty space, stepped back and repeated the movement—evidence of her boredom, loneliness, and frustration.

Thanks to the many stars who tweeted or posted about the conditions at the Manila Zoo—including Kim Atienza, Pepe Diokno, Saab Magalona, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Bubbles Paraiso, Paula Peralejo, Xian Lim, Ces Drilon, Cecile Van Straten, Carlos Celdran, Divine Lee, Victor Basa, Anne Curtis, Karen Davila, Kelly Misa, , Saab Magalona, Denise Laurel, Sanya Smith, Manolet Dario, Chico Garcia, Tim Yap, Rajo Laurel, Solenn Heussaff, Jenni Epperson, IC Mendoza, and Kaye Olfindo—the plight of Mali and the other animals at the zoo has been brought into the public eye.

Please join the campaign against the Manila Zoo—sign PETA’s petition requesting relief for the animals at the zoo and urge everyone you know to do the same.

Posted by Jason Baker