Private crew help Manila Zoo care for Mali the Elephant, other animals

While some animal rights advocates want authorities to shut down the Manila Zoo, a group of animal lovers are trying to make life better for the animals inside the zoo, Katrina Son reported on GMA News TV's "Balitanghali" on Monday.

The group, Zoo Crew Philippines, has been assisting Manila Zoo for almost a year.

“We assist the zoo in taking care of the animals, in giving the animals here a better life,” said Jerry Young, the vice president for Animal Welfare Operations.

Zoo Crew Philippines’ activities at the Manila Zoo include feeding Bertha the hippopotamus corn and Mali the elephant bread and fruits. Such feeding is part of the zoo's animal enrichment program. 

“We are assisting the zookeepers in feeding Mali and then at the same time habang pinakakain sya pwede po magbigay ng talk ang zoo volunteers about the animal,” Young said.

In 2013, a number of local and international personalities including music icon Paul McCartney and model Pamela Anderson urged President Benigno Aquino III to transfer Mali to a sanctuary in Thailand.

However, the management of Manila Zoo refused to heed the calls, pointing out that Mali was already too old to travel.

Zoo Crew Philippines also help paint the cages of the animals in Manila Zoo.

“Pagpapaganda that is secondary but pagpapaalaga, iyan po ang primary because hindi po porke maganda, iyan po ang kailangan ng hayop,” Young added.

To help Zoo Crew Philippines, interested volunteers can get in touch with the group through their Facebook page. -Trisha Macas/NB, GMA News