Animal welfare activists raised objections after the Manila local government and the Philippine National Museum announced that the taxidermied remains of Mali, known as “the world’s saddest elephant,” is being displayed at the museum.
Three years after her death, the taxidermied remains of Mali, called “the world’s saddest elephant,” is now on display at the Philippine National Museum.
She joins the preserved remains of Lolong, the largest saltwater crocodile in captivity, according to Guinness World Records.
The exhibit is a tribute to Mali, who “became part of the lives of many generations of Filipinos,” stated the National Museum of the Philippines’ Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Andoni Aboitiz.
Mali died at around 48-49 years old on November 28, 2023 at the Manila Zoo. The taxidermy process took 11 months. The remains were then returned to Manila Zoo.
A life in captivity and a death on display
The decision to display Mali at the museum drew objections from animal welfare activists and organizations.
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia stated that it should not be celebrated.
“There are many things to celebrate about Manila, but Mali’s confinement and death are not among them. Had the government not blocked her transfer, Mali could have lived out her days in a sanctuary, bonding with other elephants and getting the care she desperately needed,” PETA Asia President Jason Baker said.
“PETA urges everyone to honour Ma’li’s memory by avoiding the Manila Zoo and any other zoo as if more lives depended on it, because they do,” PETA Asia added.
“Calling this a tribute does not erase the question of whether an animal who spent her life in captivity should be placed on display even after death.
“Mali deserves to be remembered for the life she lived, not turned into a permanent attraction,” EnviSay, a youth organisation for the environment, also stated.
People also called for giving Mali “a decent burial,” and to not make her “a prisoner even in death.”
History
Mali was found orphaned in the wild in 1974. In 1977, Sri Lanka gave Mali to then-First Lady Imelda Marcos.
She was placed at the Manila Zoo with Shiva, another elephant. After Shiva died in 1990, Mali spent more than 30 years as the Philippines’ lone elephant.
As early as 2012, PETA, together with international advocacy groups, have already called for the release of Mali to Thailand, where she would live with 14 other elephants.
Advocacy groups stated that elephants are herd animals, and female elephants should be with around eight or more other elephants.
They also raised concerns about Mali’s physical and psychological health.
Manila Zoo did not agree to the transfer, stating that moving Mali would be fatal, considering she has already lived at the zoo for a long time.
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