Mali, an elephant that was known as one of the world’s “saddest,” has passed away at a zoo in the Philippines. Mali spent almost her entire life alone in a pen at the Manila Zoo, which was a cause for concern among animal rights activists. Even Sir Paul McCartney had called for her to be transferred to an elephant sanctuary. Mali’s death was announced by Manila mayor Honey Lacuna in a Facebook video. She expressed that visits to see Mali at the zoo were some of her happiest childhood memories.

In the days leading up to her death, Mali was observed rubbing her trunk against a wall, indicating that she was in pain. The zoo’s chief veterinarian administered antihistamines and vitamins, but Mali passed away later that afternoon. An autopsy revealed that she had cancer in some organs and a blockage in her aorta. Mali, whose full name is Vishwa Ma’ali, was given to former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos by the Sri Lankan government when she was just 11 months old.

Animal rights activists had criticized the poor conditions at Manila Zoo and argued that Mali did not receive proper medical care. However, zoo authorities believed that Mali was best kept in captivity since she had never experienced life in the wild. In 2012, Sir Paul McCartney wrote a letter to then President Benigno Aquino III, urging the transfer of Mali to a sanctuary in Thailand. Despite appeals from McCartney and other activists, Mali remained at Manila Zoo.

The news of Mali’s death has saddened many Filipinos, who remember visiting her during school field trips. Some expressed their hope that no more elephants would be confined to zoos. Manila mayor Honey Lacuna announced that she would ask the Sri Lankan government to donate another elephant to the Philippine capital. She emphasized that Mali had not been alone, as she had the caretakers and visitors by her side throughout her captivity. Mali was a beloved figure at Manila Zoo and will be remembered as a part of the lives of many Filipinos.

Original news source: Philippines: World’s ‘saddest’ elephant dies in Manila zoo (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary

Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a few minutes to read the article silently. Then, ask them to work together to summarize the main points of the article in their own words. Each group will then present their summary to the class.

– Opinion Poll

Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Ask each group to come up with a list of questions related to the article, such as “Do you think Mali should have been transferred to an elephant sanctuary?” or “Should animals be kept in zoos?” Then, have each group go around and ask the other groups their questions. Encourage them to have a discussion and debate about the different opinions.

– Vocabulary Pictionary

Instructions: Write down a list of key vocabulary words from the article, such as “pen,” “sanctuary,” “autopsy,” etc. Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a set of vocabulary words and a large sheet of paper or whiteboard. Set a time limit and ask them to draw pictures to represent each word. Once the time is up, have each group present their drawings and explain what each word means.

– Headline Creation

Instructions: Ask the class to work individually or in pairs to come up with a catchy headline for the article. Encourage them to think about the main point or message of the article and create a headline that would grab readers’ attention. After a few minutes, have each student or pair share their headline with the class.

– Two Truths and a Lie

Instructions: Ask each student to come up with two true statements and one false statement related to the article. For example, a student might say “Mali was transferred to an elephant sanctuary” (false), “Mali spent her entire life alone in a pen” (true), and “Mali was given to Imelda Marcos by the Sri Lankan government” (true). Have each student take turns sharing their statements with the class, and the rest of the class must guess which statement is the lie.

Comprehension Questions:

1. Why was Mali known as one of the world’s “saddest” elephants?
2. Who called for Mali to be transferred to an elephant sanctuary?
3. How did Mali’s death occur?
4. What did an autopsy reveal about Mali’s health?
5. Why did animal rights activists criticize the conditions at Manila Zoo?
6. Why did zoo authorities believe Mali was best kept in captivity?
7. How did Filipinos react to Mali’s death?
8. What is Manila mayor Honey Lacuna planning to do in response to Mali’s death?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Mali, an (1)______ that was (2)______ as one of the world’s “saddest,” has passed away at a zoo in the Philippines. Mali spent almost her entire life alone in a pen at the Manila Zoo, which was a cause for concern among animal rights activists. Even Sir Paul (3)______ had called for her to be transferred to an elephant sanctuary. Mali’s death was announced by Manila (4)______ Honey Lacuna in a Facebook video. She expressed that visits to see Mali at the zoo were some of her happiest childhood memories.

In the days leading up to her death, Mali was observed rubbing her trunk against a wall, indicating that she was in pain. The zoo’s chief (5)______ administered antihistamines and vitamins, but Mali passed away later that afternoon. An autopsy revealed that she had (6)______ in some organs and a blockage in her aorta. Mali, whose full name is Vishwa (7)______, was given to former Philippine first lady Imelda (8)______ by the Sri Lankan government when she was just 11 months old.

Animal rights activists had (9)______ the poor conditions at Manila Zoo and argued that Mali did not receive proper medical care. However, zoo authorities believed that Mali was best kept in captivity since she had never experienced life in the wild. In 2012, Sir Paul McCartney (10)______ a letter to then President Benigno Aquino III, urging the transfer of Mali to a sanctuary in Thailand. Despite (11)______ from McCartney and (12)______ activists, Mali remained at Manila Zoo.

The news of Mali’s death has saddened many Filipinos, who remember (13)______ her during school field trips. Some (14)______ their hope that no more (15)______ would be confined to zoos. Manila mayor Honey Lacuna announced that she would ask the Sri Lankan government to donate another elephant to the Philippine capital. She emphasized that Mali had not been alone, as she had the caretakers and visitors by her side throughout her (16)______. Mali was a beloved figure at Manila Zoo and will be remembered as a part of the lives of many Filipinos.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is your opinion on keeping animals in captivity?
2. How would you feel if you were kept alone in a small space for most of your life?
3. Do you think it is important for zoos to provide proper medical care for their animals? Why or why not?
4. What do you think about the idea of transferring animals from zoos to sanctuaries?
5. How do you think Mali’s life would have been different if she had been transferred to an elephant sanctuary?
6. Do you think it is ethical for governments to donate animals to zoos? Why or why not?
7. How would you feel if you were a caretaker at a zoo and had to witness the suffering of an animal like Mali?
8. What is your opinion on the role of zoos in education and conservation?
9. How do you think the death of Mali will impact the debate on animal rights and captivity?
10. Do you think zoos should prioritize the well-being of their animals over the entertainment of visitors? Why or why not?
11. How would you feel if you were a visitor at the Manila Zoo and saw Mali in her pen?
12. What do you think can be done to improve the conditions for animals in zoos?
13. How do you think the death of Mali will affect the perception of zoos in the Philippines?
14. Do you think it is possible for animals to be happy in captivity? Why or why not?
15. How would you feel if you were a child who had visited Mali at the zoo and found out about her death?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. Mali
2. elephant
3. zoo
4. Philippines
5. sanctuary
6. death
7. captivity
8. activists

Meanings:
(a) The state of being confined or imprisoned
(b) People who work to bring about social or political change
(c) The end of life
(d) A country in Southeast Asia
(e) An animal known for its large size and long trunk
(f) A sad and lonely existence
(g) A place where animals are kept for public display
(h) A protected area for animals to live freely
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What was the cause for concern among animal rights activists regarding Mali?
(a) She spent almost her entire life alone in a pen at the zoo
(b) She had cancer in some organs
(c) She had a blockage in her aorta
(d) She was given to Imelda Marcos by the Sri Lankan government

2. Who called for Mali to be transferred to an elephant sanctuary?
(a) Manila mayor Honey Lacuna
(b) Former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos
(c) Sir Paul McCartney
(d) Sri Lankan government

3. How did Mali indicate that she was in pain before her death?
(a) By refusing to eat
(b) By rubbing her trunk against a wall
(c) By making loud noises
(d) By pacing back and forth

4. What did an autopsy reveal about Mali’s health?
(a) She had a respiratory infection
(b) She had a broken leg
(c) She had a parasite infestation
(d) She had cancer in some organs and a blockage in her aorta

5. Why did zoo authorities believe Mali was best kept in captivity?
(a) She had a strong bond with her caretakers
(b) She enjoyed being around other animals at the zoo
(c) She had a spacious enclosure to roam in
(d) She had never experienced life in the wild

6. Who wrote a letter urging the transfer of Mali to a sanctuary in Thailand?
(a) Manila mayor Honey Lacuna
(b) Sir Paul McCartney
(c) Former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos
(d) Sri Lankan government

7. How did Filipinos react to the news of Mali’s death?
(a) They were relieved that she was no longer suffering
(b) They were angry at the zoo authorities for not providing proper medical care
(c) They were saddened and remembered visiting her during school field trips
(d) They were indifferent because they had never heard of Mali

8. What does Manila mayor Honey Lacuna plan to do after Mali’s death?
(a) Ask the Sri Lankan government to donate another elephant to the Philippine capital
(b) Close down the Manila Zoo
(c) Build a larger enclosure for the remaining animals at the zoo
(d) Transfer all the animals to a sanctuary in Thailand

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Mali spent some of her life alone in a pen at the Manila Zoo.
2. Animal rights activists were not concerned about Mali’s solitary confinement.
3. Mali’s death was not announced by Manila mayor Honey Lacuna in a Facebook video.
4. Sir Paul McCartney did not call for Mali to be transferred to an elephant sanctuary.
5. Mali, an elephant, passed away at a zoo in the Philippines.
6. Mali showed signs of pain before her death by rubbing her trunk against a wall.
7. An autopsy revealed that Mali had cancer and a blockage in her aorta.
8. Despite appeals from activists, Mali remained at Manila Zoo until her death.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. Why was Mali known as one of the world’s “saddest” elephants?
2. What did animal rights activists and Sir Paul McCartney advocate for regarding Mali’s living conditions?
3. What were the signs that Mali was in pain before her death?
4. Why did zoo authorities believe that Mali was best kept in captivity?
5. How have Filipinos reacted to the news of Mali’s death and what are their hopes for the future of elephants in zoos?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Mali was known as one of the world’s “saddest” elephants because she spent almost her entire life alone in a pen at the Manila Zoo.
2. Sir Paul McCartney called for Mali to be transferred to an elephant sanctuary.
3. Mali’s death occurred after she was observed rubbing her trunk against a wall, indicating pain. She was administered antihistamines and vitamins, but passed away later that afternoon.
4. An autopsy revealed that Mali had cancer in some organs and a blockage in her aorta.
5. Animal rights activists criticized the conditions at Manila Zoo because they believed Mali did not receive proper medical care.
6. Zoo authorities believed Mali was best kept in captivity because she had never experienced life in the wild.
7. Filipinos reacted to Mali’s death with sadness, as many remembered visiting her during school field trips.
8. Manila mayor Honey Lacuna announced that she would ask the Sri Lankan government to donate another elephant to the Philippine capital in response to Mali’s death.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) elephant
(2) known
(3) McCartney
(4) mayor
(5) veterinarian
(6) cancer
(7) Ma’ali
(8) Marcos
(9) criticized
(10) wrote
(11) appeals
(12) other
(13) visiting
(14) expressed
(15) elephants
(16) captivity
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. Mali
Answer: (e) An animal known for its large size and long trunk

2. elephant
Answer: (g) A place where animals are kept for public display

3. zoo
Answer: (d) A country in Southeast Asia

4. Philippines
Answer: (h) A protected area for animals to live freely

5. sanctuary
Answer: (c) The end of life

6. death
Answer: (a) The state of being confined or imprisoned

7. captivity
Answer: (b) People who work to bring about social or political change

8. activists
Answer: (f) A sad and lonely existence
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What was the cause for concern among animal rights activists regarding Mali?
Answer: (a) She spent almost her entire life alone in a pen at the zoo

2. Who called for Mali to be transferred to an elephant sanctuary?
Answer: (c) Sir Paul McCartney

3. How did Mali indicate that she was in pain before her death?
Answer: (b) By rubbing her trunk against a wall

4. What did an autopsy reveal about Mali’s health?
Answer: (d) She had cancer in some organs and a blockage in her aorta

5. Why did zoo authorities believe Mali was best kept in captivity?
Answer: (d) She had never experienced life in the wild

6. Who wrote a letter urging the transfer of Mali to a sanctuary in Thailand?
Answer: (b) Sir Paul McCartney

7. How did Filipinos react to the news of Mali’s death?
Answer: (c) They were saddened and remembered visiting her during school field trips

8. What does Manila mayor Honey Lacuna plan to do after Mali’s death?
Answer: (a) Ask the Sri Lankan government to donate another elephant to the Philippine capital
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Mali spent some of her life alone in a pen at the Manila Zoo. (Answer: False)
2. Animal rights activists were not concerned about Mali’s solitary confinement. (Answer: False)
3. Mali’s death was not announced by Manila mayor Honey Lacuna in a Facebook video. (Answer: False)
4. Sir Paul McCartney did not call for Mali to be transferred to an elephant sanctuary. (Answer: False)
5. Mali, an elephant, passed away at a zoo in the Philippines. (Answer: True)
6. Mali showed signs of pain before her death by rubbing her trunk against a wall. (Answer: True)
7. An autopsy revealed that Mali had cancer and a blockage in her aorta. (Answer: True)
8. Despite appeals from activists, Mali remained at Manila Zoo until her death. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧