Philippines: World's 'saddest' elephant dies in Manila zoo. Know what Sir Paul McCartney, PETA said about Mali

Elephant Mali, who was the star attraction at Manila Zoo for four decades, died on Tuesday. Tributes have poured in for the elephant christened by activists as one of the world's "saddest". Announcing Mali's death in a Facebook video, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna said visits to the zoo to see Mali were among her happiest childhood memories. She was seen last Friday constantly rubbing her trunk against a wall. Manila Zoo's Chief Veterinarian Dr Heinrich Patrick Peaa-Domingo said that it indicated that the Asian elephant was in pain.

Mali had cancer

Mali was seen on Tuesday lying on her side and breathing heavily. Veterinarians told BBC that he administered antihistamines and vitamins, but she died later that afternoon. An autopsy has confirmed that she had cancer in some of her organs, as well as a blockage in her aorta.

Gifted by Sri Lanka to First Lady

Her full name was Vishwa Ma'ali. The Sri Lankan government gifted her to Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos in 1981, when she was 11 months old. Manila Zoo was home to another elephant, Shiva, who arrived there in 1977 and died in 1990. Mali had been the zoo's only elephant since Shiva's death. When pandemic Corona hit the Philippines, the Manila Zoo served as a vaccination site for children, where Mali kept them entertained.

Sir Paul McCartney writes to President

As Mali lived alone in the zoo for a long time, it attracted the attention of animal lovers. One of them was Sir Paul McCartney, who asked authorities to transfer Mali to an elephant sanctuary. He wrote a letter to then President Benigno Aquino III in 2012 and described footage he saw of Mali in captivity as "heartbreaking".

Sir Paul McCartney wrote in the letter, "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."

PETA condoles Mali's death

Condoling Mali's death, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said, "One of the world's saddest elephants has passed away. Rest in Peace, Mali, you deserve so much more."

People recalled on social media platform X how school field trips in Manila would always include a visit to Mali. They lamented the fact that she died alone.

FAQs:

Why did animal lovers express concerns about Mali's plight?
As Mali lived alone in the zoo for a long time, it attracted the attention of animal lovers. One of them was Sir Paul McCartney, who asked authorities to transfer Mali to an elephant sanctuary. He wrote a letter to then President Benigno Aquino III in 2012 and described footage he saw of Mali in captivity as "heartbreaking".

How Mali did reach the Filippines from Sri Lanka?
The Sri Lankan government gifted Mali to Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos in 1981, when she was 11 months old. Manila Zoo was home to another elephant, Shiva, who arrived there in 1977 and died in 1990. Mali had been the zoo's only elephant since Shiva's death.