MANILA, Philippines — The People for the Ethical Treatment for Animals (PETA) slammed the Manila Zoo Wednesday after it introduced a new baby lion named “Isla.”
“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,” PETA Senior Vice President Jason Baker said in a statement.
According to PETA, Isla is the “latest victim” of the zoo’s “collection of suffering, living beings,” adding that Mali, the elephant, died in the “same lonely, concrete pen” where she lived for five decades.
Mali died in November last year, she was dubbed the “world’s saddest elephant” because she was the only captive elephant in the country that lived alone for decades
“Manila Zoo has repeatedly shown that it cannot meet even the most basic standards of care for the animals it imprisons,” Baker said.
The zoo’s history of subjecting animals to a life of misery is now clearly evident, he said.
The Manila Zoo introduced “Isla,” a baby lion, to the public on Tuesday. However, not everyone is pleased with the decision to bring her into the zoo.
“Amin pong ipinakikilala ang bagong miyembro ng ating Manila Zoo, isang batang babaeng leon, na pinangalanan nating “Isla,” para sa karagdagang eksibisyon at koleksyon ng ating mga hayop,” the Manila Zoo said.
The post received a range of reactions, with most of the feedback being negative. Many social media users argued that the cub should be released into the wild rather than kept in a cage.
The Manila Zoo said that “Isla” was donated by the Manila Achievers Lions Club District 301-A3.
While Isla is being cared for and strengthened, she will not be visible to the public for the time being, the zoo management said.
