Capital’s zoo to be transformed

Aslam says Kaavan has safely reached Cambodia

ISLAMABAD:

With the sole zoo of the federal capital closed since earlier this year and its animals transferred to various sanctuaries - including its only elephant who landed in Cambodia on Monday morning, the government is now looking to transform the facility per international standards.

This was stated by Advisor to Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam on Monday. Aslam said that his ministry is working to improve the condition of zoos across the country and transform them as per international standards. This would include transforming them into facilities which encourage greater interaction with wildlife and help people understand wildlife behaviour more closely, he said.

"We are offering to upgrade zoos, train the staff and help bring improvements in the infrastructure," he added. Aslam said that apart from international standards for catering to wildlife, the facilities will incorporate entertainment facilities for visitors and offer opportunities to increase environmental awareness in people. He blamed past governments for the condition in which Kaavan, the last elephant in the Islamabad Zoo, was kept and lamented that birds and animals were generally not taken care of. "We are going to completely overhaul the Islamabad zoo,” he said, adding that animals will have more space to roam in their enclosures.

The advisor reiterated that zoos in the country need more attention and improvement by adapting to latest technologies for which a new plan will be developed along with international consultants to transform the zoo into a safari experience featuring indigenous species, serving as a place of joy and education for all.

Kaavan reaches Cambodia Separately, Aslam in a statement said that Kaavan had safely arrived in Cambodia amidst fanfare. The Asian bull elephant completed a nearly 10-hourlong journey from Pakistan to Cambodia in the early hours of Monday morning on a specially chartered cargo plane from Russia.

In the Cambodian wildlife sanctuary, Aslam said Kaavan will initially be kept in a small designated section of the park separating his place over 10-acre and the place where he can see other elephants in the sanctuary.

“Though it’s a deeply sad moment for us to see the elephant leaving us amid heart-wrenching feelings of separation, we are sure about it being the right step to retire Kaavan after spending over three decades in captivity,” he said, hoping that the pachyderm will live a happier and healthier life with creatures of his kind in the new place. “We will surely be glad to see Kaavan happy in Cambodia and it is hoped he would find a partner too very soon,” he said. The elephant sanctuary in Cambodia already houses elephants and is equipped with experts who have relocated and rehabilitated over 80 elephants so far.