Mali the elephant’s taxidermy specimen brought to Manila Zoo

Mali the elephant, also known as Vishwa Ma’ali, has been brought back to Manila Zoo after undergoing taxidermy.

According to Kuya Kim’s report on “24 Oras,” Thursday, taxidermy is the process of preserving the form of a dead animal for display or study.

There are different methods of preserving an animal, including using chemicals on its skin to remove moisture, then carefully arranging and sewing it into form.

To make it more realistic, the animal is painted or colored.

In Mali’s case, her body was brought to Dr. Jason Sumaway in Angat, Bulacan.

“Nung marinig ko sa news nung about po doon sa namatay po si Mali, nag-post agad ako sa social media na any possible connection with Manila Zoo. Ang daming taong kumokontak sa kanila, sina-suggest po kami. Doon po nag-come up na tinawagan po kami,” the veterinarian said.

According to him, Mali’s remains are the most challenging to preserve.

“Hindi namin siya pwedeng tigilan katulad ng ginagawa namin sa mga dog and cats. Nakikita po kasi namin [na] nagde-decay na siya. Kailangan continuous ‘yung process. Dun na ako nag-decide na sige, hatiin natin ‘yung team,” he said.

It took his team around 11 months to finish the process.

Mali’s taxidermy was picked up on December 16 and taken back to Manila.

“Grabe ‘yung binyahe namin, ‘di ba? Sobrang tagal. Inabot po kami ng 7 hours kasi 5 a.m. kami umalis sa bahay. Kasi po ang dami na pong mga kuryente na pwedeng sabitan po ni Mali,” truck driver Rose Ann Cayetano said.

Mali passed away in November 2023 due to congestive heart failure while suffering from cancer.

Several tumors were found around Mali’s organs, such as the pancreas and kidney, according to Manila Zoo veterinarian Dr. Heinrich Patrick "Chip" Domingo. Her kidney was also inflamed and covered with fat. She also suffered from pyometra, or pus deposits, in her uterus.

— Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News