Ailing Noor Jehan still not back on her feet

Four Paws team due in Karachi on Tuesday to examine the sick elephant

KARACHI:

Tireless efforts by veterinarians to bring an ailing elephant, which has been in the headlines for her sickness, back on its feet could not succeed for the fourth day. The condition of the 17-year-old female elephant, named Noor Jahan, allegedly deteriorated after it fell into a pond.

Local veterinarians from Four Paws International, an animal welfare organisation, have been giving various medicines to replenish the giant's energy sapped by a number of health issues, including arthritis. A team of Four Paws, led by its Director Dr Amir Khalil, is also scheduled to come to Karachi by Tuesday to check the sick elephant.

It is becoming extremely difficult for Noor Jahan to stand on her feet due to internal laxity in her hind legs and lower parts of body. A seven-member team of veterinarians from Germany, headed by Dr Amir Khalil, recently examined the elephant. A diet plan was also prepared for her under the guidance of an international team.

Noor Jahan is being given fruits amid round-the-clock monitoring of her situation. Vets are ensuring that the elephant does not gain weight due to over-consumption of sugarcane. Noor Jahan is also being made to follow an exercise protocol, while water pressure is being applied to the affected parts of her body. The swelling in the elephant's body is also receding.

Three days ago, some zoo visitors alleged that Noor Jahan had fallen into a pond built in her compound. However, the zoo director, Kanwar Ayub, denied the claim, saying that the elephant was sprinkling water on her body due to hot and humid weather and sat in the pond but could not rise due to weakness.

The vets have administered three drips simultaneously to semi-anesthetize the elephant. "Attempts were made to make the elephant stand on her feet with the help of a crane, but she could not walk more than a few steps due to weakness," the zoo director said.

Karachi Administrator Dr Saifur Rehman visited the zoo on Sunday to inquire about the condition of the ailing elephant.

Noor Jahan has started showing signs of improvement, he claimed. He added that they have been in constant touch with Four Paws via video link.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 17^th, 2023.