Maali, properly Vishwamaali, the elephant who has been living at the Manila Zoo for 36 years, will not be going to an elephant sanctuary any time soon.
According to the South China Morning Post, the government of the city of Manila says Maali has been checked by a veterinarian who found her healthy. A little too healthy since she’s slightly obese, the report said.
To keep Maali from geting lonely, the city is looking at acquiring two more baby elephants from Sri Lanka and several more animals for a planned 2-billion-peso renovation to turn the Manila Zoo, a depressing staple of children’s field trips, into a bigger and better zoo that will house, the report said, tigers and zebras.
Animal rights activists from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, PETA, have called on the Philippine government to release Maali and send her to an elephant sanctuary in Thailand. Dr. Jane Goodall, Pamela Anderson, and Sir Paul McCartney have all called for Maali’s release.
Anderson, a Hollywood actress, even offered to go on a date with President Benigno Aquino III to talk about Maali’s future. The offer was rejected but the Palace spokesperson said Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala might be available.
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Photo: Free Mali Facebook page
