By Ferdinand Patinio | Philippine News Agency
Maali, the only elephant in the Philippines, has died.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna made the announcement via video Tuesday night, Nov. 28.
Maali was 49 years old.
“To our fellow Manilans and fellow Filipinos, I am sorry to inform you of the passing of our beloved Vishwa Ma’ali, better known as Maali,” Lacuna said.
Maali died at 3:45 p.m. at the Manila Zoo in Malate. The cause of death was still being determined.
The female elephant was born in Sri Lanka in 1974 and in 1977, was donated to then-First Lady Imelda Marcos.
