Autopsy reveals Sonia died of lungs infection

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KARACHI:

The postmortem report of elephant Sonia, who died last month at Safari Park, has revealed that respiratory-related disease that damaged her tissues in the lungs and developed sepsis caused her death.

In light of the report, the park administration has decided to conduct a full medical examination of the other two elephants, Malaika and Madhubala, to provide them with immediate protection against germs and infections, and to ensure their best care with the support of international experts.

Additionally, with the cooperation of Indus Hospital, necessary tests are being conducted on the staff who take care of the elephants.

Following the death of Sonia on December 8, 2024, Mayor Murtaza Wahab had ordered an immediate postmortem examination to determine the cause of death.

The procedure was carried out by Dr Ghulam Mustafa, a renowned pathologist from the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore.

The samples from Sonia's body were collected and sent for test to the Sindh Institute of Animal Health's BSL-II laboratory. The tests revealed that Sonia suffered from tuberculosis and other bacterial infections.

The postmortem was conducted not only to determine Sonia's cause of death but also to improve animal care at the Safari Park and the Karachi Zoo.