In the eyes of a clueless eight-year-old, a visit to the zoo was nothing short of magical. The sheer thrill of seeing creatures she’d only ever encountered in storybooks had filled her young heart with wonder. She stared amusingly at the animals pacing back and forth within their enclosures—unknowing of the invisible chains that bound them to a life devoid of freedom.
She was blissfully unaware.
Several years later, the child had grown, and the blindfold of ignorance had finally been ripped away. She had traded her rose-tinted glasses for a clear and unfiltered view of the grim realities behind the façade of what she once saw as an educational wonderland. And with it came a bitter realization that her (and thousands of other children’s) innocence was made an excuse for an industry that exploits sentient beings for profit and entertainment.
She had unconsciously played a part in supporting a fucked up system that thrives on the distress of wild creatures such as Mali—the Philippines’ lone captive elephant belonging to an endangered species.
Much like humans, animals suffer from social isolation
On Nov. 29, Manila mayor Honey Lacuna confirmed in a press conference that Mali—short for Vishwa Ma’ali—has passed away at 43 years old.
Dr. Heinrich Patrick Peña-Domingo (the zoo’s chief veterinarian) said it may have been due to cancer and a congestive heart failure, but animal rights group PETA Asia claimed that Mali was already suffering from foot problems even prior to her other complications. It’s the leading cause of death among captive elephants, yet PETA’s “repeated warnings” merely fell on deaf ears.
“We’re so sorry, Mali. You deserved better,” wrote PETA Asia in a Facebook statement. “Every person who denied her veterinary care and blocked her transfer to a sanctuary should be held accountable.”
Furthermore, Asian elephants are known for their “extremely social” nature. Keeping them away from their companions could inflict brain damage—yes, just like us humans. Yanking them from their natural habitat (and confining them to a space that hardly echoes the expansive wild) isn’t just restricting; it’s downright cruel.
But while many bemoan the loss of Mali, the zoo management that held her captive seems to be more concerned with filling the void she left rather than addressing the glaring ethical issues that led to her demise.
Economic value at the cost of other values
Now, let’s talk about the other elephant in the room—the city’s plan to get a replacement from Sri Lanka. (FYI: Mali was also from Sri Lanka, brought to the Philippines as a gift to Imelda Marcos.)
The zoo’s blatant eagerness to replace Mali with another elephant mirrors a disconcerting lack of reflection on the ethical implications surrounding these places. They may claim to foster conservation efforts, but this may also just be a convenient smokescreen to mask the exploitation inherent in keeping animals confined for human amusement.
Sure, zoological parks may offer an economic boost, especially for the local government and tourism development at large. After all, people love to ogle at caged creatures, take selfies, and feel a (fleeting) sense of connection to the wild. Is it really worth the moral bankruptcy, though?
In the words of 1921 Nobel Prize in Literature winner Anatole France, “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” And what does that make us as a country? Are we really just going to settle with being half-asleep and ignorant?
The zoo’s blatant eagerness to replace Mali with another elephant mirrors a disconcerting lack of reflection on the ethical implications surrounding these places. They may claim to foster conservation efforts, but this may also just be a convenient smokescreen to mask the exploitation inherent in keeping animals confined for human amusement.
Because behind the colorful brochures (and cheerful signages) lie a darker reality: Zoos, with their cramped spaces and artificial habitats, are basically prisons for animals that are being denied the rights to express their natural behaviors.
It’s high time schools wake up, too
As I reflect on my childhood innocence—yes, I’m that “clueless” little girl—I can’t help but cringe at the thought of how easily manipulated we were into thinking that zoo trips were educational.
Field trips have long been considered an “enriching experience” for young folks wanting to learn about the world beyond classroom walls. But let’s not pretend that a visit to the zoo is the epitome of enlightenment. It’s a shallow pedagogical choice—an outdated tradition that needs to be reexamined.
While educators may argue that zoos provide a tangible, visual experience for children to connect with wildlife, the sad truth is that these glimpses into captive lives hardly constitute a genuine understanding of the natural world.
If anything, it reinforces the skewed notion that wild animals exist solely for our entertainment. “Animals’ normal behavior cannot be observed in such an environment because their basic needs aren’t met—so the experience is not educational for students,” wrote PETA.
There are myriad humane ways to educate children about wildlife, ecology, and conservation. Virtual safaris, wildlife documentaries, or visits to animal shelters—these can all replace the morally questionable practice of making them watch animals being treated as mere commodities.
It’s time for schools to rethink their field trip itineraries and choose activities that align with the principles of compassion and respect for all living beings. Because in the grand scheme of things, what lessons are we teaching our children by supporting institutions that prioritize revenue over ethics?
Mali’s death is a CTA we must heed
The dismaying fate of Mali should serve as a wake-up call—a reminder that if we are to build a society that values empathy and equal treatment among all planet inhabitants, we must reevaluate the role of zoos in our culture.
No longer should we hide behind the excuse of innocence, especially when we already know better. Situations like this demand accountability—not just from zoo and city officials but from each of us who turned a blind eye to the deep-rooted cruelties that come with promoting zoos.
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Photo from Manila Zoo’s official website