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 80 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 nearly 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. All we need is for the government of the Philippines to agree to send her there and give her the retirement she deserves.
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:
- Please write to or call the mayor of Manila and urge him to do what’s right for Mali and immediately transfer her to a sanctuary:
Mayor Alfredo Lim
Mayor of Manila
(02) 527-4991
(02) 527-4983 (fax)
fredlim@fredlim.com
- 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 e-mail alert as your profile photo, or create your own photo or video telling your friends why Mali deserves freedom.
- 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.
Thank you in advance for taking action for Mali.
Posted by Jason Baker




























PETA U.S.
PETAenEspanol
PETA France
PETA Germany
PETA India
PETA Netherlands
PETA U.K.