The Philippines' one and only elephant, Vishwa Ma'ali, also known as Mali, passed away at 49 years old, Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna announced on Tuesday, Nov. 28.
In a video statement posted on Manila Public Information Office's Facebook page, Lacuna said Mali died at exactly 3:45 PM.
"Sa ating mga kapwa Manileño at mga kababayang Pilipino. Kinalulungkot ko na ibalita sa inyo na ang ating minamahal na si Vishwa Ma'ali, na mas kilala niyo na Mali, dito sa loob ng Manila Zoo, sa ganap na 3:45 ng hapon ngayong araw, Nov. 28," she said.
The Manila said a necropsy was immediately conducted to determine Mali's cause of death.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, Nov. 29, Manila Zoo Veterinarian Chief Chip Domingo recounted that Mali had shown irritability since last Friday, Nov. 24.
"Medyo hindi niya gusto yung nangyayari, parang paikot-ikot, palakad-lakad siya. May nararamdaman siya. Na-discuss namin iyan sa ating taga-pangalaga. Na-notice namin noong Saturday, wala na siyang ganang kumain at na-notice namin yung trunk niya ay niru-rub niya po against the wall," he said.
"Pagdating ng Monday afternoon, kumain pa siya. Na-consume niya yung diet niya pati kumain siya ng maraming tubig," the veterinarian continued.
Domingo said they observed that Mali started to sit down at 5 AM and then lay down at 6 AM on Tuesday.
"Kami ay nag-aalala at naalarma, kaya kami ay nagbigay ng karampatan lunas, emergency drugs kagaya ng antihistamine kasi nakita namin na nahirapan siya maghinga tapos nagbigay kami ng vitamins at supplements. Binibigyan namin siya ng IV fluids pero masyadong mataas, nag re-reflux yung kanyang blood," he said.
When asked about the results of the necropsy, Domingo said Mali died due to "congestive heart failure."
According to veterinarian, the life span of an elephant ranges from 40 to 45 years old.
The Manila City Mayor mentioned that they will conduct talks with experts on how to preserve Mali's bones.
"Immediate ang paglibing kay Mali, pero may mga talks kami sa mga experts kung paano natin map-preserve ang bones ni Mali at kung makakapag-Taxidermy kami. Alam naman po niyo na prize possesion namin si Mali. Siya talaga ang isa sa mga star attaction dito sa Manila Zoo. Magsisimula na kami ng talks with experts kung paano ma-preserve si Mali at mailagay natin sa museum natin dito," Lacuna said.
In 1977, the Sri Lankan government gifted the Asian Elephant to the Philippines. She was only 3-years-old when she arrived.
