Mali the elephant, who was often called "the saddest elephant in the world," died at the Manila Zoo in the Philippines. After 33 years of solitude and numerous appeals from celebrities including Paul McCartney and Jane Goodall, Mali passed away on November 28 of congestive heart failure.
The male was 49 years old and she lived most of her life in solitude at the Manila Zoo. During her stay at the zoo, she became an object of public concern and even attracted the attention of famous people.
Chief Veterinarian Dr. Heinrich Patrick Peña-Domingo said Mali showed signs of distress, rubbing her trunk against the wall, indicating pain. Despite the attempts of veterinarians to provide her with treatment, the elephant's condition worsened.
According to Discover Wildlife, Mali lived significantly less than Asian elephants in the wild or other elephants in captivity. The average life expectancy of Asian elephants is 70 years, but Mali died at the age of 49.
The elephant moved to Manila Zoo from Sri Lanka in 1981 as a gift from the Sri Lankan government to the then first lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos. Her cohabitation with another elephant, named Shiba, ended in 1990 after Shiba's death.
The animal rights community, including PETA, has expressed its displeasure at the way Manila Zoo authorities have ignored Mali's health problems. According to them, every person who refused to provide her with veterinary care and transport her to the shelter should be held responsible for her condition.
Paul McCartney advocated for Mali to receive more attention and care. He expressed his surprise that the female elephant was not receiving proper foot care, which is a key cause of death in captive elephants.
The memory of Mali will remain as a symbol of concern and protest for the rights of animals in captivity.
