On Valentine’s Day of 1998, the Maldives was graced with the presence of a majestically creature, the Kinboo. Unbeknownst of its greatness, those that found the Kinboo, captured it and it was taken to Dhoonidhoo. Starting it’s life in Maldives in the prison system, we might never know the horrors that Kinboo faced there. After being arbitrarily detained in Dhoonidhoo for years, Kinboo was transferred to a cage in a slightly better location; Kudakudhinge Bageecha.

For the first time since it’s arrival, Kinboo received the love and admiration it so rightfully deserved. With the love of the children who went there and the many meals of frozen chicken, Kinboo soon outgrew the tiny cage.The water in the cage barely covers its belly while its long powerful tail had to be curled up to fit inside the roofed-cage that was no larger than 15 by 10 feet; a violation of both international and national laws forbidding animal cruelty. Despite public outcry and protest to Save the Kinboo, it spent 15 years in this terrible situation. 

And one day, in 2015, it disappeared.

Rumor has it, that Kinboo was either starved to death, poisoned or shot. Public officials have refused to answer any questions regarding Kinboo while they continued to propose brining a new smaller crocodile to replace Kinboo.

But no crocodile, can replace Kinboo in our hearts. We, Maldivians acknowledge the sufferings of Kinboo and it’s misunderstood soul to be a symbol of retribution and transformation of our country. We want to give it the honor in absence that it did not have in life.

When Chibu is elected we want Kinboo to be our national animal.