Health of elephants in Karachi Zoo, Safari Park deteriorating

Admitting the petition, seeking court order for conducting the surgery of four ailing African elephants at Karachi’s zoo and Safari Park, for immediate hearing, the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday sought replies from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), the advocate general and others by the third week of May.

In his petition, Abbas Laghari Advocate said that on December 22, 2021, a foreign veterinary, in his report, had recommended surgery of these elephants namely Malaika, Sonu, Noor Jahan and Madho Bala keeping in view their deteriorating health. “But so far they have not been operated upon,” the petition read.

The report stated that the health of Malika, Sonu, Noor Jahan, and Madhu Bala is in danger.

Malika and Sonu are reportedly caged in Safari Park, whereas Noor Jahan and Madhu Bala are confined in Karachi Zoo. It is mentioned in the prepared report that putting chains on feet for 14 to 15 hours can be deadly for caged elephants. Constantly standing in one place creates dirt, while Dirt and filth cause diseases in the elephant's feet. Foot disease in elephants is the leading cause of death.

Karachi Zoo and Safari Park have the worst environment for animals in Pakistan. Malika in particular needs immediate medical treatment. Elephants should be taken out of cages and kept in open spaces.

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The court has granted the request for an urgent hearing and sought a reply from the Sindh Advocate General, KMC, and others for the third week of May. The detailed report prepared by German Dr Frank Gortz said that the two elephants Sonu and Malika in the Safari Park have food problems and the other two elephants kept at the Karachi Zoo have dental and gum problems. According to the report, the four elephants are in urgent need of medical treatment.

The elephants urgently need medical training and good healthy food. Elephants' lives could be in danger if the treatment is delayed. All elephants should be given a good permanent environment along with routine treatment and basic medical check-ups.

The foreign examining team examined the physical, behavioural, diet, and feet of the animals. The report explains that foot pain is one of the leading causes of death for elephants worldwide. The doctor has stated in his report the elephants are obese and overweight. The water tissues of the four elephants are slightly increased. The hemoglobin of the two elephants kept in Karachi Zoo is low. Eleven years later, an ultrasound revealed that one of the four elephants known as Sonu was not a male but a female. The elephants have had their nails trimmed and have undergone dental surgery, however, they are still in pain.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30^th, 2022.