Ang Manila Zoo

SAAN mang dako ng mundo, ang mga botanical and zoological gardens ang isa sa paboritong pasyalan ng mga turista.

Subalit hindi birong halaga ang pagmamantini ng ganitong sanktuwaryo ng mga pambihirang hayop at mga halaman. Kamakailan, naging usap-usapan ang ating Manila Zoo dahil sa isang matandang elepante na sinasabing kinukulang ng karampatang pangangalaga. Marahil, dahil na rin ito sa kakapusan ng pondo.

Ang elepanteng ito ay  may sakit sa kanyang mga paa at natutuklap umano ang mga kuko. Ang isang orga-nisasyong umaalma kaugnay nito ay ang PETA o People for Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Tumanggap tayo ng isang sulat mula sa pinuno ng samahang ito na gusto kong bigyang daan:

Dear Editor,

The Manila Zoo can never come close to giving Mali what she needs to heal and thrive. The entire Manila Zoo measures only 0.055 square kilometers and Mali’s enclosure is a tiny fraction of that. Confining elephants to such restricted environments takes a heavy toll. An elephant expert recently expressed grave concerns about the state of Mali’s feet, noting that she has cracked nails, overgrown cuticles, and cracked foot pads that are open to infection. Foot ailments are one of the leading causes of death in captive elephants.

 PETA has a detailed plan to successfully move Mali to a sanctuary, where she will be able to move about freely in wide-open spaces, swim and take dust baths, explore and most importantly, share the company and companionship

 of other elephants. Mali has lost more than 30 years of her life for humans’ whims. She deserves to spend the rest of her life in comfort and peace. 

The controversy surrounding Mali, the elephant at the Manila Zoo, is actually very simple: Retire her to sanctuary.

 Yours truly,

 Jason Baker

Vice President 

PETA Asia