Students and Church Back Presidential Directive to Free Mali

The Most Rev. José S. Palma, archbishop of Cebu and president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, recently spoke out in support of President Benigno Aquino III’s directive to transfer Mali, the lonely 38-year-old elephant at the Manila Zoo, to a sanctuary. “‘Mali’ might have few years to live but these remaining years will be more expressive of man’s compassion towards [God’s other] creatures,” wrote Palma in a letter of support.

But Palma and the office of the president are not the only ones who want to see Mali retired to a sanctuary. Over 2,000 students have shown their support for the initiative by creating artwork illustrating Mali’s current suffering and the better life that awaits her in a sanctuary in Thailand. Here are just a few of the masterpieces:

Please join the many students and others who are rallying for Mali to be free. A sanctuary can provide Mali with acres to roam, other elephants to socialize with, and opportunities to express who she really is by engaging in such behavior as picking fruit from trees and playing in rivers—all while being cared for by elephant experts around the clock. Check out PETA’s list of ways to help Mali, and don’t forget to “like” the “Free Mali” Facebook page to show your support.

Posted by Ashley Fruno