Explanation sought for delayed transfer of bears

IHC directs MoCC secretary, IWMB chief told to appear in person

ISLAMABAD:

The managers of the zoo in the federal capital and the government have been asked to explain why the transfer of two Himalayan bears to a sanctuary in Jordan has faced delays.

This was directed on Wednesday by a single-member bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), comprising Chief Justice Athar Minallah, as it heard a contempt of court case regarding animals at the Marghzar Zoo in Islamabad.

The two bears were supposed to have flown out of the country on December 6 but now they are supposed to depart on Thursday, December 10.

In its written order, the court said, “the Ministry of Climate Change and the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) has reportedly refused to relocate the two Himalayan brown bears namely, Suzee and Babloo to the sanctuary situated in Jordan.”

The court further noted that arrangements for relocation of both the Himalayan brown bears were stated to have been finalized and were scheduled to fly from Islamabad.

The order noted that a team of experts and amicus curiae appointed by the court had arrived in the country to relocate the two living bears but permission was not being granted to transport them.

CJ Minallah noted that the relocation of the bears had been ordered because the appropriate sanctuary was not available in the country and there was consensus among all involved on this.

But by not transferring the bears, the court noted that apparently, the ministry and IWMB are violating the court’s judgment and orders.

“If the direction of this court is not complied with and the two Himalayan brown bears are not relocated in accordance with the schedule then the chairperson of the IWMB and the secretary of the ministry of climate change are directed to appear in person...to explain why proceedings may not be initiated under the Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2003,” the order noted.

The order read that contempt of court action on the negligence of staff while shifting two lions from the zoo is already pending. The two bears at the zoo, namely Suzee and Babloo, were to be moved to the Al Ma'wa animal sanctuary in Jordan.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2020.