Rebecca Manzi Miyako was taken from her natural habitat at just six months old and has spent her days alone, rocking back and forth, for 50 years. The zoo in Japan where she is kept continues to refuse any offer to relocate her
@Peta Asia
For the past fifty years, Miyako the elephant has lived in complete isolation at the Utsunomiya Zoo in Japan. Taken from Thailand when she was just six months old, she has never had contact with another elephant since. Her entire life has unfolded within the confines of a concrete enclosure, devoid of stimulation, affection, or any respect for the natural behaviors and needs of Asian elephants.
Elephants are social, intelligent, and deeply emotional creatures. In the wild, they live in close-knit herds, care for one another, celebrate births, and mourn deaths. But Miyako spends every day alone, surrounded by her own waste, without proper space to move or mental stimulation. She rocks back and forth in a repetitive, obsessive way—a behavior known as stereotypy, which is a clear sign of psychological distress. She rocks back and forth in a repetitive, obsessive way—an obvious sign of suffering.
A dangerous prison
The only interaction Miyako has is with zoo visitors, who try to toss food across the moat surrounding her pen. In the past, she even fell into the ditch while trying to reach food, putting her safety at serious risk. Today, every time she reaches toward visitors, she risks injury. On top of that, her overgrown, neglected nails reveal physical pain as well as mental suffering.
Despite repeated calls from animal rights organizations such as PETA Asia and Elephants in Japan, the zoo has refused all offers to relocate her to more suitable facilities. There are sanctuaries where Miyako could finally walk on natural ground, receive proper veterinary care, and—most importantly—live among other elephants. But so far, every effort to free her has been ignored. There are sanctuaries where Miyako could finally walk on natural ground and live among other elephants.
A symbol of silent suffering
Miyako’s case isn’t unique. She represents countless elephants in captivity, condemned to artificial lives in cages that completely deny their nature. It’s time to demand change. Sharing her story is the first step to breaking the silence and calling for justice.
After half a century in isolation, Miyako deserves dignity, freedom, and companionship.
Source: PETA
