An elephant known as the “world’s saddest” has passed away at the Manila Zoo in the Philippines. The elephant, named Vishwa Ma’ali or Mali for short, lived alone in the zoo and was estimated to be 43 years old at the time of her death. The exact age of Mali is unknown. Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna held a press conference to announce the sad news, expressing her sadness as Mali was a prized possession and the star attraction of the zoo.
Mali’s solitary life and treatment by zoo authorities had sparked concerns worldwide, leading to numerous campaigns calling for her relocation. However, despite efforts, she spent decades alone in the zoo. In 2012, Paul McCartney, a member of The Beatles, wrote to the President of the Philippines urging the early release and transfer of Mali to another country. Unfortunately, authorities advised against such a move.
Dr. Heinrich Patrick Pena-Domingo, the zoo’s chief veterinarian, revealed that Mali was often seen rubbing her trunk against a wall, indicating possible pain. The elephant’s distressing behavior raised further concerns about her well-being.
According to reports, Mali was gifted to Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines, by the Sri Lankan government in 1981 when she was just 11 months old. Initially, Mali had the company of another elephant named Shiva, who had been living in the zoo since 1977. However, Shiva passed away in 1990, leaving Mali to live alone for the remainder of her life.
The news of Mali’s death has saddened people worldwide, with PETA expressing their grief on Twitter. Many mourn the loss of Mali, who spent decades in isolation at the Manila Zoo.
