PNoy not flying to California for Pam Anderson anytime soon – Palace

Hollywood actor and “Baywatch” star Pamela Anderson invited President Benigno S. C. Aquino to a dinner date, on the caveat that they'll need to discuss the transfer of Sri Lankan elephant Mali, currently under the care of The Manila Zoo. 

 

Would PNoy take the date? Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda doesn’t think so, not anytime soon at least.

 

“Pamela Anderson is in LA (Los Angeles, California) and the President is not coming to LA anytime soon,” Lacierda was quoted as saying on a report aired at GMA News TV’s “State of the Nation” on Friday.

 

But, the presidential spokesperson quipped that Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala may stand in for the President.

 

“Guess what, Secretary Alacala will be willing to meet with Pamela Anderson,” he said, noting that the Palace may act on Mali’s situation following the Agriculture Department’s recommendation. 

Elephant in trouble  

The 39-year-old female elephant has been the center of an animal rights controversy after animal group People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) asked for Mali’s transfer to an elephant sanctuary in Thailand.

 

“Si Mali nasa isang maliit na kulungan lang siya sa Manila Zoo na konkreto [ang sahig] na wala siyang kasama maski isang elepante. So, over-all nakakaapekto ‘yun sa physical and emotional health niya,” Jana Sevilla, campaign coordinator for PETA, said in the same television report.

 

“Keeping a female elephant alone is the most cruel thing that you can do to them,” she noted.

 

However, Mali’s caretakers at The Manila Zoo, think that elephant should not be transferred anytime soon, saying that travel for the ageing pachyderm is likely to be “risky”. 

 

“I-upgrade natin [itong kulungan ni Mali] na makaksigurado naman si Mali rather than ilipat ninyo na hindi kayo nakakasigurado. Risky na po ang transfer ni Mali, it could be life threatening because she is fairly old,” said Dr. Donald Manalastas, veterinarian at The Manila Zoo.

No transfer due to age  

For his part, Bureau of Animal Industry assistant director Simeon Amurao disclosed that the elephant’s transfer to Sri Lanka has not been allowed by the Sri Lankan government due to Mali’s age, while they are still in talks with the Thailand authorities.

 

“Before we can transfer Mali to Thailand kailangan mayroon siyang certain health requirements. Kailangan free siya from tuberculosis, rabies. . .and several other diseases,” Amurao said.

 

“Kukuha sila ng isang experst psychologist sa elephant to check the psychological capability of Mali to transport,” he added.

 

And while Mali awaits her fate, The Manila Zoo’s lone elephant still charms crowds. — Rouchelle R. Dinglasan / KDM/LBG, GMA News