In an upsetting development from the Philippines, Mali, who was once dubbed as the world’s “saddest elephant,” has passed away in Manila Zoo.
Tragic news
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This announcement has not only saddened animal lovers but also raised serious questions about the captivity and treatment of wildlife in zoos.
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Mali had been a resident of the Manila Zoo since 1977, according to BBC News, confirming that she passed away on Tuesday.
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She was just three years old when she was moved from her native Sri Lanka to the Philippines.
Held in captivity for over three decades
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Throughout her life, she was confined to a small, concrete enclosure that failed to provide her with the stimulation and companionship needed for an elephant’s mental and physical well-being.
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According to reports, animal rights activists had been advocating for years for Mali’s transfer to a sanctuary where she could roam freely, socialize with other elephants, and live a life closer to what nature intended for her.
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The sad state of Mali had caught international attention, with celebrities making an appeal to the Philippine government to release her.
Celebrities previously pleaded for her release
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Celebrities have voiced their frustrations about captive animals – including Mali – more than ever in recent years, such as Paul McCartney, who had also pleaded with the government to release her.
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“I am writing to add my voice to the many others who are supporting the transfer of Mali, the lonely elephant currently being held at the Manila Zoo, to a sanctuary in Thailand as soon as possible,” he wrote in a 2012 letter.
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He made the same request to the Indian government in 2022 for another captive elephant called Jeymalyatha, who had allegedly been abused for years.
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“I have considered India a spiritual place ever since I traveled there in the 1960s. I was impressed by India’s cultural love for animals,” McCartney wrote in a touching letter to the government.
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“I know India reveres elephants, its national heritage animal, but cruelty to animals happens everywhere, even in India,” he added.
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“What reflects on a country’s values is how that cruelty is addressed.”
Social media is in complete uproar
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And it seems the Philippines is facing a lot of scrutiny now as people have been left outraged over Mali’s death because nothing was done to prevent this from happening.
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Mali continued to live in solitary confinement until her death despite desperate pleas from locals and celebrities to have her freed.
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The news of her demise has spread with a wave of sorrow across social media… and for obvious reasons.
These animals deserve their freedom
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It has also reignited the debate on animal rights and the ethics of keeping wild animals in confinement, particularly since these animals can be locked up for decades, if not a lifetime.
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People on social media have argued that zoos are inherently cruel, as they deny animals their natural behaviors and social structures.
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They believe that Mali’s case should remind people of the physical and psychological toll that captivity can have on these animals.
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Mali’s loneliness and despair ultimately contributed to her passing after spending her entire life in confinement.
Locking wildlife animals in a zoo can lead to severe health issues
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Now, in an ideal world, wild animals like elephants would be free to roam in their natural habitats, forming bonds with their own kind and living life on their own terms.
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More than ever, people are urging zoos to strive to provide them with living conditions that mimic their natural habitats as closely as possible.
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The passing of Mali is undoubtedly tragic.
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But if it leads to tangible changes in how we treat captive animals, then perhaps her life and death will not have been in vain.
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According to PETA, zoos can be cruel environments for all animals.
They deserve to be in their natural habit
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They often deny animals their natural behaviors and social structures.
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Elephants in the wild live in close-knit matriarchal groups, but in zoos, they are often said to be kept alone or with few companions.
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This separation can lead to loneliness and severe psychological stress, significantly impacting their well-being.
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May she rest in peace.