There is no dearth or critics who believe that zoos are outdated relics of a less enlightened era.
PESHAWAR: For many years, animals have been grossly mistreated in local zoos across Pakistan. The undersupply of funding and resources has made it impossible to take proper care of animals while on the other hand zoo owners themselves lack any form of empathy for them. Without having proper shelter or adequate food, thousands of animals in Pakistan remain vulnerable to diseases and infections. The shortage of veterinarians in the country adds to the problem as many animals cannot be treated for basic medical issues. The truth is that these voiceless beings are suffering greatly and swift action needs to be taken. This is no longer an isolated situation and has developed into a countrywide crisis.
Recently, a three-year-old giraffe died at the Peshawar Zoo on Sunday. The director of the zoo claims the animal died due to a viral disease but officials are still waiting on the autopsy reports. In 2018, reports claim that 30 species of bird died in the same zoo because to respiratory illnesses which occurred due to the sheer negligence and carelessness of zoo officials.
There is no dearth or critics who believe that zoos are outdated relics of a less enlightened era. We should start thinking on these lines. The government needs to abolish all zoos in the country and ban the import of animals. It is about time that officials are aware about the rights of animals and work together with animal rights organisations in order to facilitate these helpless creatures across the country. The dignity and rights of all living creatures need to be upheld.
Abubakr Rehman
Published in The Express Tribune, May 20th, 2020.
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