Manila Zoo to replace Mali with new elephants from Sri Lanka

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 29) — The city government of Manila on Wednesday said it will request for new elephants from Sri Lanka to replace Vishwa Ma'ali, also known as Mali, who died possibly due to heart problem, pancreatic cancer, and multiple organ failure.

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna said the Sri Lankan government earlier committed to former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno that it will give new elephants to the Philippines as a replacement for Mali, who died on Tuesday.

«Ngayon po sisimulan po namin ang pakikipag-usap ulit with the Sri Lankan government, kami po ay susulat ng pormal sa kanila to inform them na wala na nga po si Mali, at the same time, maka-request po kami sa kanila ng replacement po. Sorry pangit pakinggan, 'yung papalit po kay Mali,» Lacuna said during a press briefing.

[Translation: We will be reaching out to the Sri Lankan government to inform them about the death of Mali, at the same time, we will also be requesting a replacement. Sorry if it doesn't sound good, but it will be a replacement for Mali.]

Dr. Heinrich Pena-Domingo, a senior veterinarian of Manila Zoo, announced the results of the necropsy conducted on Mali. The Asian female elephant showed signs of weakness only last week, officials said.

«Sa necropsy findings, nakita po namin, unang bumungad po sa amin 'yung pancreas, neoplastic, meaning matigas po siya at parang meron na po siyang cancer dahil sa age niya,» Domingo said. «As we go on, nakita po namin 'yung mga nodules around the liver, pero yung liver naman po wala naman problema. 'Yung kidney niya slightly inflamed, possible dahil masyado malaki, kaya po parang may pressure, balot po ito ng taba.»

[Translation: Based on the necropsy findings, we've first seen the neoplastic pancreas, which means that she may have had cancer due to her age. As we inspected, we also saw nodules around the liver, but her liver had no problem. Her kidney was slightly inflamed. That is why there might be pressure because of concentrated fats.]

«At the same time, nakita po namin 'yung aorta, yung tubo palabas ng kanyang puso, ito po ay may makapal na taba na nakabara,» he also said. «Maaari po na ito ang cause ng pagkamatay niya,