URGENT! Help Save Lonely, Bored, Miserable Elephant

Posted on 17 May 2012 at 11:37AM by Ashley Fruno

Everyone knows Mali. Many of us remember her from class trips to the Manila Zoo as far back as 35 years ago. Mali is the Philippines’ only captive elephant – and perhaps one of the world’s saddest. In the wild, elephants roam territories of up to 50 kilometers every day, but Mali is confined to a very small enclosure at the Manila Zoo, which itself covers an area of only 0.055 square kilometers.

Every minute of every day, Mali is confined to her barren, concrete enclosure. She has lived this way for about 35 years. She had been denied the opportunity to engage in activities that elephants need for their physical, mental, and emotional health, such as grazing, plucking fruit and leaves from trees, taking mud baths, and spending hours a day swimming and playing in the water. She hasn’t seen another elephant in over 30 years. That’s just sad.

But Mali has an opportunity for a second chance at life. A sanctuary would be able to provide Mali with vast spaces to roam, ponds to bathe in, fresh vegetation, foraging opportunities, and the company of many other elephants. President Aquino has issued a directive stating that Mali’s health must be evaluated and she must be considered for transfer to a sanctuary. But, we still need your support – this is a critical time to keep the pressure on to ensure Mali is transferred without delay.

Please take a look at the following list of suggestions on how to help Mali and do everything that you can to share Mali’s plight with friends and ensure that Mali gets a second chance at enjoying life:

Take a minute of your life to watch a minute of Mali’s. Watch and share PETA Asia’s powerful public service announcement on YouTube and Facebook.
Check out PETA’s “Free Mali” photo album on our Facebook page. Repost the album to your Facebook page so that your friends and family can see the conditions that Mali endures every single day. If you want to help further, post the photo in this blog as your profile photo, or create your own photo or video telling your friends why Mali deserves freedom.
“Like” the Free Mali page on Facebook to stay updated on the campaign.
Sign the petition to urge the government to expedite Mali’s transfer.
Send a letter to the editor of a local newspaper educating others about Mali’s plight. If published, you could reach thousands of readers. Check out PETA US’ letter-writing guide for tips on how to write an effective letter. Write to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the Philippine Star, or the Manila Standard Today. Don’t forget to include your address and phone number for verification purposes.
If you’re currently living outside the Philippines, write to the ambassador of the Philippines to your current country and ask that he or she do everything possible to intervene in behalf of Mali. You can find contact details here.
If you’re a teacher and want to involve your students in this campaign, please e-mail us.