PETA's elephant to lead protest vs Manila Zoo

An elephant will lead the protest of the animal rights group People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) against the Manila Zoo. Scheduled at 1 p.m. on Friday, the protest will be led by an elephant which will hold a sign reading “Close the Manila Zoo!" According to its news release, PETA said its members of PETA Asia will hold the protest outside the Manila Zoo on Adriatico Street, Malate. PETA said the Manila Zoo "has been internationally criticized for housing animals in cramped, barren cages and for providing substandard care. The animals are relegated to a lifetime of boredom and abuse, which often leads to self-mutilation and other abnormal behavior." "The Manila Zoo is a tiny, decrepit, and outdated facility and has nothing to offer animals except a life of deprivation, misery, and loneliness," said PETA’s Rochelle Regodon. "We're asking Mayor Lim to close the zoo for good and prevent any more animals from spending their lives in this decrepit and shameful facility," she added. "As do all zoos, the Manila Zoo presents visitors with a distorted view of wildlife. In the wild, most animals roam territories of hundreds of kilometers, but the entire Manila Zoo measures only 0.055 square kilometers," PETA said. "Even the largest zoos worry that they cannot provide the space, exercise, privacy, and mental stimulation that the animals need, much less fulfill their other complex needs," the group added. Sorry state of the zoo Meanwhile, on Thursday, a day after the sorry condition of the Manila Zoo became abuzz on Twitter, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the government is urging concerned citizens to help restore the 5.5-hectare zoo. He explained that the Bureau of Animal Industry is already taking steps to improve the living condition of the animals. “They made a plan of action to uphold the welfare of the animals that should be led by zoo officials," Lacierda said, noting that animals in the Philippines are protected under the Animal Welfare Act of 1998. “We are encouraged by this demonstration of public spirit on the part of our fellow citizens. It is a positive sign that the citizenry wants to be part of the solution and not just point out a problem," Lacierda said. Those who wish to help raise funds for the Manila Zoo may call telephone numbers (02) 468-9498 and (02) 383-6862, according to the Palace. — Juvylle Almazan and Jesse Edep/VVP, GMA News