The Smashing Pumpkins are currently hitting Pacific hotspots on their global tour in support of their new album, Oceania. And during their concert in the Philippines, they also supported PETA Asia's efforts to free Mali—an elephant who has been suffering for decades without companionship or sufficient care at the Manila Zoo—by offering PETA Asia space for an information table at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Mali and the Infinite Sadness

Thanks to the Smashing Pumpkins' kindness, concertgoers learned how Mali was taken as a nursing baby from Sri Lanka in 1977 and has spent about 35 years in a small concrete pen—33 of them completely alone. Following a sustained campaign in her behalf by PETA Asia, Philippine President Benigno Aquino issued a directive stating that Mali should be considered for transfer to a sanctuary after an evaluation of her health, but Manila city officials are stalling.

PETA Asia has secured a place for Mali at a sanctuary in Thailand, where she could have acres to roam, rivers to bathe in, fresh vegetation to eat, foraging opportunities, the company of many other elephants, and, of course, the care of elephant experts 24 hours a day. People attending the concert were able to sign PETA Asia's online petition right at the information table, as well as picking up leaflets and stickers to spread the word about Mali's plight.

What You Can Do

Even if you couldn't make the show, you can still help PETA Asia and the Pumpkins give Mali a smashing new life—just sign the online petition.

Courtesy of USDA

Hey, Soul Sister! PETA has sent an urgent letter to the rock band Train urging the group to cancel their performance at KFC's franchisee convention in San Antonio—or else face the music from PETA supporters—because of KFC's refusal to stop its suppliers' cruelty to chickens.

Many of the top names in music have taken a strong public stand against KFC, including Sir Paul McCartney, Pink, the Smashing Pumpkins, and Chrissie Hynde. Let's hope that Train gets on board, too, but if they take KFC's dirty money, they must carry the company's baggage—and PETA will protest their show.

How You Can Help Chickens

Even those of us who are not quite famous can tell KFC to take cruelty to chickens off the menu. Sign Pink's petition demanding that KFC require its suppliers to stop abusing birds (and don't eat at its restaurants until it agrees).