Zoo head suspended over lion’s death

Senior director gets stay from court against KMC administrator’s order

KARACHI:

The city administration has found the director of Karachi's Zoo and Safari Park as 'responsible' for poor maintenance of the animals.

After the death of rare white lion, under immense pressure from public, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has suspended Senior Director Khalid Hashmi.

 In a letter available with The Express Tribune issued on late Wednesday night, Hashmi was directed to relieve because of numerous complaints from various quarters.

The letter said that: "the complaints are of different nature and include allegations of maladministration, financial misconduct and ill-keep and poor maintenance of Zoo animals." Interestingly, the letter said that the lion died on November 23 but actually it died on November 24.

"On November 23, a rare white lion has expired in Karachi Zoo and it is alleged that the animal was not provided due medical attention that could save its life," it said. Mansoor Kazi has been appointed as the new head of the Zoo and the Safari Park on immediate bases till confirmation of his appointment order. Speaking at a press conference, KMC Administrator Murtaza Wahab said, "a sad incident took place in the Zoo. I am sorry for it because I am the head of the institution but the officer facing action for wrongdoing brought a stay order from the court."

 The KMC officials in a statement said that, former director Hashmi was twice removed from his position but both times he obtained a stay order from the court.

They said that a senior KMC official with a good reputation was posted but Hashmi got another court order this month. On the orders of Wahab, an inquiry been initiated to probe the death of the white lion that died because of different diseases.

Though the KMC officials denied the viral video, but another citizen told The Express Tribune that couple of days ago he along with his family visited the Zoo and found an ill lion lying in the enclosure with bad condition.

"We could see it sleeping in the enclosure," Qadir Lashari said. Lashari shared a live video of his Facebook page in which a lion could be seen lying in a cage near the tiger.