MANILA, Philippines - The barren, cramped enclosure at the Manila Zoo must seem like a prison cell to Mali, the lonely, suffering elephant who has been confined there for 36 years. That’s why Ely Buendia has posed for a “mug shot†while holding a prison-like name card stating that he wants Mali to be freed. A sanctuary has already agreed to accept the ailing elephant. Ely’s photo and those of other celebrities can be seen at Facebook.com/FreeMali.
In addition to being in constant pain because of untreated foot problems, Mali is denied everything that’s natural and important to her at the Manila Zoo. But in a sanctuary, she would have hectares of land in which to roam, rivers and ponds to bathe in, and the crucial company of other elephants. Animal experts, including Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick, Dr. Jane Goodall, Dr. Philip K. Ensley, and world-renowned veterinarian Dr. Henry Melvyn Richardson, who determined that Mali has potentially fatal foot problems, are calling for her to be transferred to a sanctuary. Also, Earth Island Institute, The Philippine Animal Welfare Society, Humane Society International, the World Society for the Protection of Animals, Animals Asia, and other prestigious organizations have come out in support of relocating Mali.
Ely, who gained fame as lead vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist for the chart-topping band Eraserheads and now plies his trade with the bands Pupil and the Oktaves, is the latest celebrity to call for justice for Mali.
For information, visit PETAAsiaPacific.com.