An elephant once referred to as the “saddest in the world” has died at the age of 49 after spending nearly half a century in isolation.
Vishwamaali, known as Mali, passed away from congestive heart failure on November 28 at Manila Zoo.
Mali’s final hours were captured on video, showing her using the last of her strength to greet visitors at the zoo. She had lived alone in her enclosure for over forty years, a situation that sparked global concern.
Arriving in the Philippines from Sri Lanka in 1977 at three, Mali was a gift to Imelda Marcos, the wife of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
As the only elephant in the country, she spent most of her life without companions, leading to her being labeled one of the “world’s saddest” by the animal rights organization PETA.
In a video, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna expressed sadness over Mali’s passing: “It saddens me to share the news that our beloved Vishwamaali, better known as Mali, passed away in Manila Zoo at 3:45 p.m. today.”
Mali’s body has been sent for a necropsy to investigate further causes of death. Besides heart failure, she was found to have cancer, restricted blood circulation, pus deposits in her uterus, and slightly inflamed kidneys.
A Manila Zoo official noted that Mali’s death came unexpectedly. “Animals often have asymptomatic symptoms, meaning she could have had an illness that wasn’t visible to us,” the official explained.
Calls for Mali’s transfer to a wildlife sanctuary in Thailand, supported by figures like British singer Morrissey and PETA, were consistently denied.
Previous Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso argued in 2021 that returning her to the wild might be more harmful due to her prolonged confinement.
Following her death, PETA criticized the zoo and city officials for their neglect. “Mali’s life and death reflect the consequences of indifference and greed. She spent nearly 50 years alone in a concrete pen, a life far from the social environment she should have experienced,” PETA stated.
The organization condemned the failure to address Mali’s painful foot issues, which are common among captive elephants and can lead to severe health problems.
PETA also urged the public to avoid businesses that exploit animals for entertainment, emphasizing the need for greater protection of elephants.
Asian elephants, like Mali, are naturally social and live in herds led by a matriarch. Unfortunately, they are endangered, with only about 48,000 to 51,680 individuals remaining in the wild. Their main threats include habitat loss, poaching, and human conflict.
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