Animals are not supposed to be kept in cages

IHC appreciates efforts of those involved in transfer of Kavaan

ISLAMABAD:

The high court on Friday was told that the last elephant in the federal capital, Kavaan, will be flown out of the country on the weekend while the two rescued Himalayan brown bears in the zoo will be taken to a sanctuary abroad next month.

This was disclosed as a report was submitted in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday. IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard a case of relocation of animals from the federal capital to safer places.

The court was told that on November 29, Kavaan will be transported to Cambodia and on December 6, the bears will be transferred to Jordan. Chief Justice Minallah thanked the team of doctors and experts who came to take care of Kavaan. He remarked Pakistan could have taken care of the animals but an example has been set.

Animals are not supposed to be kept in cages, he remarked, adding that they want animals to be kept in a natural environment instead of cages. I think Costa Rica is the only country in the world that has banned zoos, CJ Minallah said, noting that Kavaan has now become an international celebrity.

Addressing Four Paws veterinarian Dr Amir Khalil, CJ Minallah said that the way he took care of the pachyderm, the credit goes to him. Credit also goes to all those who took part in this good deed, even to President Dr Arif Alvi who visited Kavaan and set an example for the world, CJ Minallah said.

Dr Khalil detailed the particulars of transferring Kavaan. He stated that previously, they have shifted small elephants but not only is Kavaan a large elephant but is also overweight for his age and the journey is quite long. For this purpose, he said that they have developed a special crate.

The chief justice said that this was not just a case of Kavaan's transfer to Cambodia but an example to the whole world. German expert Frank Gortz said that this was the third time he was visiting Kavaan.

The first time was to examine the pachyderm, then for medical examination and now for his transfer. During the hearing, Gortz mobile phone rang. "I'm sorry, my mobile phone was not turned off," he apologised. While phones are not allowed in hearings, CJ Minallah excused him. "The court takes notice of this but will not do so in your case. You have done a lot for Kavaan,” he remarked. The court adjourned the case till December 21.