Committee formed to care for ailing elephant Noor Jehan
African elephant Noor Jahan, 17, who is unwell, rests on a sand pile, at a zoo in Karachi, Pakistan April 14, 2023. PHOTO: REUTERS
Administrator Karachi Dr Syed Saifur Rahman on Monday formed a nine-member committee to take care of the ailing elephant Noor Jehan at Karachi Zoo.
The committee comprises Dr Amir Khalil, Director of Reveal and Response from Four Paws International Dr Marina Ivanova, Senior Veterinarian Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Germany Dr Frank Goritz, Head of the Institute of Wildlife and Zoo Research from Germany, Dr Thomas Hilderbrandt and former Senior Director Karachi Zoo Dr Mansoor Qazi, Dr Imran Rasheed, Associate Professor, Department of Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Dr Isma Gheewala of Animal Care Centre Karachi, Deputy Director of Zoo Dr Amir Rizvi, Member of Zoo Expert Panel for Zoo and Safari Park Dr Kazim Hussain.
Members of the committee nominated by KMC will provide suggestions and recommendations to the administrator on the well-being and welfare of the ailing elephant, including treatment and the provision of a natural environment for practical measures.
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Dr Syed Saifur Rahman said that KMC appreciates the efforts made by any side for the welfare of the animals.
KMC is making every effort to facilitate the swift recovery of Noor Jehan and also maintaining constant communication with Four Paws, an international organisation for animal welfare, via video link, and treating the elephant according to their instructions.
He said that the Four Paws team headed by Dr Amir Khalil had operated the elephant on the invitation of the KMC a week ago and recommended medicines and measures for her recovery, which were fully implemented.
Dr Amir Khalil from Four Paws International Austria, Dr Marina Ivanova and Dr Frank Goritz and Dr Thomas Hilderbrandt from Germany are included in the committee formed to make the efforts made for the recovery of Noor Jehan more effective and better.
The administrator stated that KMC is taking measures to ensure the well-being and better health of all the animals at the zoo, and is making all possible efforts in this regard.