Mali may have 2 companions as Estrada eyes Manila Zoo rehab

MALI on her lonesome

Coming soon: A bigger, better and modern Manila Zoo and possibly two more elephants to keep Mali, its most popular resident, company.

This was confirmed by Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada who told the Inquirer on Tuesday that talks were ongoing for a public-private partnership program with investors from Singapore who would spend P2 billion for the project.

“We will modernize Manila Zoo,” Estrada said as he denied reports that the city government was planning to privatize the zoo or that it had approved the transfer of Mali to a sanctuary as demanded by animal welfare group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta).

According to him, the city has even asked the Sri Lankan government for two more elephants to serve as companions for Mali.

Mali was a gift from Sri Lanka to then First Lady Imelda Marcos. The elephant came to the country in 1977 and has been residing in the zoo since.

The request for additional elephants was confirmed by veteran photographer John Chua who was at the zoo to visit Mali. Chua has been looking after her for the past 12 years.

According to him, a Sri Lankan diplomat visited Manila Zoo early this year and promised to donate two more elephants if improvements would be done to the enclosure where Mali is kept.

Peta, however, expressed its opposition to the move in a letter it sent to the Sri Lankan government, Chua said.

Peta has been at loggerheads with zoo officials as the animal welfare group has been pushing for Mali’s transfer to an elephant sanctuary abroad, claiming that the move will benefit her as she is sick and lonely.

Chua, however, disputed this. “You will send a person to take pictures when Mali is resting then claim she is lonely. Why not take pictures when she’s interacting? She’s lovable and friendly because she has grown comfortable with humans,” he said.

He added that Peta has been using the issue to raise funds for its use, an allegation denied by the group which said that it was the zoo that was making money off Mali.

“Where were you when she needed you? Have you given a single banana to feed her?” Chua asked Peta.

He added: “Are you really for the welfare of Mali? Then let’s work together.”

Albert Dichaves, the newly appointed director of the Manila Parks and Recreation Bureau, said a blood test had shown that Mali was healthy, contrary to Peta’s claim.

“But she’s old. Her age is beyond the usual life span [of elephants] and a transfer might stress her out,” he added, saying that Mali’s transfer would ultimately depend upon Estrada.

He also debunked rumors about the zoo’s impending privatization.

“We have plans to renovate and upgrade, to have better enclosures and more wildlife. But as far as privatization is concerned, I don’t think the government will allow that,” Dichaves said.