Wild boars stealing Kavaan’s food

Zoo director assures recommendations of a vet are being followed

ISLAMABAD: The only elephant Kavaan at the Islamabad Zoo stood in a corner, disturbed by the fact that wild boars had broken into his enclosure and were now stealing his food.

Images of Kavaan began circling on social media this week where he could be seen with its head facing the wall of his enclosure,

Zoo officials confirmed that Kavaan has been disturbed of late.

Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) Director Zoo Rana Tahir said zoo staff observed that the animal's stomach was not well and had poor sleep that required a proper vet to examine Kavaan's health.

After examination, the vet found that Kavaan was dehydrated and suggested some changes in the diet scale of the pachyderm.

Documents showed that a private zoo consultant Dr Masoodul Haq had visited the zoo on March 17, and checked the elephant and suggested for a change in the ration scale.

Dr Haq had advised preparing an estimate for outer fencing installation of the elephant’s enclosure as wild boars were raiding it, which is why the pachyderm was not getting proper sleep.

The zoo administration should also provide mustard oil by way of a water-based solution to rub on the skin of the elephant.

"Stop sand provision in elephant enclosure for enrichment purpose. Provide and pour limestone chalking at the outer fence of the elephant enclosure."

Tahir assured that the recommendations are being followed to provide relief to the animal.  He, however, regretted that those criticizing the zoo administration lacked basic information about wildlife care and its management. He added that the zoo staff was recently trained by an American zoologist which had helped enhance the capacity of the administration to look after animals in the zoo as per global standards.

He noted that some non-governmental organizations were highlighting the issue to take possession of Kavaan and release it in a so-called wildlife sanctuary.

"This elephant is our asset and belongs to the children of Pakistan that have a right to learn about this mighty species of wildlife as this zoo is a potential source of education for children," he added.  

Published in The Express Tribune, March 20^th, 2020.