Statement from PETA Senior Vice President Jason Baker regarding Isla, the baby lion at Manila Zoo.
PETA, alongside compassionate Filipinos, condemns Manila Zoo’s decision to imprison yet another innocent animal. Isla, a baby lion, is the latest victim in the zoo’s collection of suffering, living beings. Manila Zoo has repeatedly shown that it cannot meet even the most basic standards of care for the animals it imprisons. In 2023, Mali the elephant died in the same lonely, concrete pen where she had languished for five decades, despite PETA’s tireless efforts to secure her freedom and transfer her to a sanctuary.
The widespread public outcry over Manila Zoo’s regressive decision underscores that Filipinos have not forgotten the tragic fate of Mali. The zoo’s history of subjecting animals to a life of misery is now plain for all to see.
Isla deserves better. She should be placed in the hands of experts who can rehabilitate her and ultimately assess her for release back into the wild or transfer to a sanctuary.
