Rocker Ely Buendia joins calls for Mali the elephant's release

Musician Ely Buendia has joined the throngs of celebrities calling for the transfer of Mali the elephant from the Manila Zoo to a sanctuary in Thailand.

 

In the mug shot-like picture released by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia on Tuesday, Buendia can be seen holding a board saying "Ely Buendia wants Mali freed."

 

"The barren, cramped enclosure at the Manila Zoo must seem like a prison cell to Mali, the lonely, suffering elephant who has been confined there for 36 years. That's why Ely Buendia has posed for a "mug shot" while holding a prison-like name card stating that he wants Mali to be freed. A sanctuary has already agreed to accept the ailing elephant," PETA Asia's news release said.

 

PETA explained that aside from being in "constant pain" because of untreated foot problems, Mali is "denied everything that's natural and important to her at the Manila Zoo."

 

"But in a sanctuary, she would have hectares of land in which to roam, rivers and ponds to bathe in, and the crucial company of other elephants," it said.

 

It also cited the opinion of animal experts Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick, Dr. Jane Goodall, Dr. Philip K. Ensley, and Dr. Henry Melvyn Richardson, who supposedly said Mali has "potentially fatal foot problems" and should therefore be transferred to a sanctuary soon. 

 

Because of this, these experts along with groups and celebrities like Buendia are calling for Mali's release.

 

Among the other celebrities calling for Mali's transfer are international rocker Cat Stevens, French film legend Brigitte Bardot, music sensation Morrissey, and Nobel Prize–winning author J.M. Coetzee.

 

Buendia's photo and those of other celebrities making the call may be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/FreeMali

 

The Manila Zoo, however, had earlier said that PETA and its supporters should respect their decision to keep Mali.

 

It said the trip to Thailand will put Mali's life at risk since the chances of the 38-year-old lone elephant surviving the trip to Thailand is low.

 

Malacañang, for its part, said it is waiting for the Department of Agriculture's recommendation on the matter. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMA News