MANILA - The never-ending saga of the only elephant in the Philippines took another turn Wednesday, as new Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada granted informal permission to move the animal to a newly renovated zoo near the Subic Bay naval base.
Peta's Philippines branch has been active for six years with high-profile protests in an effort to have Mali moved to Thailand from her enclosure at the Manila Zoo. (File photo courtesy of Peta)
Mr Estrada, a former Philippines president elected mayor two months ago, said Mali would have to return to Manila after renovations to her enclosure at the city's zoo.
"We will not let go of Mali" for Manila, Mr Estrada said, according to a report by the Inquirer news group.
But he said he was inclined to accept an offer by an animal theme parks operator to place Mali in a forested area in Subic, northwest of Manila, the site of the former US navy base.
The 50-hectare Zoobic Safari park in Subic could care for Mali for now, said Albert Yupangco, president of Zoomanity Group, which operates three theme parks.
Singapore investors have planned renovations totalling two billion pesos (1.44 billion baht; US$46.2 million) to construct a world-class Manila Zoo, said Mr Estrada. When it is completed, Mali must be brought back.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) objected to the Subic transfer. The group, which has been lobbying to send the Sri Lankan elephant to a sanctuary in Thailand, said Mali would continue to be lonely if she stayed in the Philippines.
"Mali has been alone for over three decades, and she is undeniably lonely," the report quoted Peta campaigns manager Rochelle Regodon as saying.
Mali was presented to the Philippines then-first lady Imelda Marcos in 1977 by the Sri Lanka government, when the animal was three years old. She has resided in Manila Zoo ever since.