Filipino students feed Maali, the 38-year-old Asian elephant inside her enclosure at the Manila Zoo, Philippines yesterday. The supposed worsening condition of Maali, a Sri Lankan elephant, inside the city-run zoo prompted the Philippine Congress which handles the House Committee on Natural Resources to approve a resolution supporting an immediate transfer to Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand. Several non-government organisations have commended the House resolution. But various groups are opposing the transfer, saying it will jeopardise the animal’s condition. Almost a year ago, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III ordered the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) to study if Maali is fit to be transferred to a sanctuary. Representatives of BAI, however, are having difficulties in extracting blood sample from the elephant.
