Elephant Noor Jehan unable to stand after fall, remains critical

The condition of Noor Jehan, the 17-year-old African elephant at the Karachi zoo, remains critical, with the elephant unable to stand on Friday, a day after falling in a pond in its enclosure.

The pachyderm weighs around 2,000 kg fell in its post on Thursday morning and was hoisted out with the help of the crane in the evening. The animal was unable to stand and was placed on a mudded area in the enclosure.

“She might not stand again,” said an official who spoke to The Express Tribune on condition of anonymity. The official said the elephant’s survival chances were extremely bleak.

A team of international veterinarians affiliated with Vienna-based Four Paws visited Karachi earlier this month to treat the animal. Their diagnosis revealed an internal hematoma and a damaged pelvic floor, which they said were the main sources of her pain and physical distress.

The team arrived in Pakistan after videos of the animal, her hind legs stooped and swelled, were shared widely on social media and led to public uproar. It has since resulted in the removal of the zoo in-charge and greater scrutiny of the rampant corruption combined with neglect of animals that led to deaths.

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On-site vets said that the animal was malnourished and weak. She was being provided vitamins intravenously, with over 20 drips administered. Noor Jehan was also able to eat some sugarcane, watermelon and apples later in the evening. 

Visitors and staff say that Noor Jehan had not lied down in the last three months and was visibly distressed throughout this period.

The vets from Four Paws had to reverse the animal’s sedation during their surgical diagnosis after the crane could not keep the animal upright. Their concern was that Noor Jehan would not be able to get up again on her own.

Remote supervision

The Four Paws team said they were in contact with the administration as soon as they were informed of the elephant’s condition on Thursday and provided remote monitoring and supervision of the animal.

The team of vets included Dr Aamir Rizvi, Dr Shalla Hayat and Dr Otho Zulfiquar Haider among others.

“She did not respond well when we tried to bring her out of the pond,” said Kanwar Ayub, the director of Safari Park who is currently looking after the affairs of the zoo.

Also read: Ailing elephant Noor Jehan survives jumbo diagnosis

The animal was lifted up with the help of a crane and placed on a mudded surface in the enclosure after she could not stand on her legs, said Ayub.

Meanwhile, Karachi Administrator Dr Saifur Rahman claimed said the animal’s health was improving. He added that “the elephant was resting in the pond and all her organs are functioning well.”

Concern rises

The deteriorating health of Noor Jehan along with concerns over animal welfare and rampant mismanagement at the zoo has led to a chorus of criticism..

“Karachi zoo should be shut down because it is clearly beyond the capacity of KMC,” tweeted Pakistan Peoples Party’s Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto junior, who has also previously tweeted over the deplorable state of animals at the zoo, said he was not allowed to take photos. “Prayers and pressure needed for accountability.”