Mali, dubbed as the world's "saddest" elephant by animal rights organization PETA, has died at a Philippine Zoo.
Vishwa Ma'ali , commonly known as Mali, was the only captive elephant in the Philippines – she passed away as she had lived – alone in a concrete pit . She was said to have been about 43 years old.
Manila's Mayor Honey Lacuna said in a statement to the media last week Wednesday: "Just to set the record straight, Mali died yesterday at 3:45 pm here at Manila Zoo." Manila zoo's chief veterinarian announced Mali died from pancreatic cancer, as well as a blockage in her aorta.
Mali was given to the government of Manila in 1981 by the Sri Lankan government.
Tributes have poured in for the pachyderm in the Philippines and on social media.
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Over the years animal activists and organizations as well as celebrities such as Paul McCartney and Jane Goodall had called for the release of the elephant from its life of abject misery - their pleas fell on deaf ears.
PETA said: "World-renowned elephant experts, and [other] people from around the world all pleaded for her release to a sanctuary, where she could have enjoyed the company of other elephants, The Manila Zoo and the City of Manila sentenced Mali to decades of solitary confinement – torture for female elephants, who in nature spend their lives among their mothers and sisters, protecting one and other and raising each other's calves."
Honour Mali by never supporting businesses that exploit animals for entertainment.
May you RIP Mali.
