Kaavan still in chains

CDA chief had ordered removal of restraints, but zoo has not acted yet

ISLAMABAD:

Kaavan has still not been freed from his chains.

Despite the hue and cry raised by animal rights activists from across the world, three of the four legs of the 31-year-old Asian elephant --- kept in solitary confinement at Islamabad zoo for many years --- are still chained.

On September 8, while presiding over a meeting in this connection, Capital Development Authority Chairman Maroof Afzal directed the zoo management to unshackle the elephant “at the earliest”.

But a visit to the Zoo on Thursday evening exposed that the zoo management seems unmoved to the orders and the international outcry.

Animal rights activists plan protests, legal action

A group of animal rights activists has been considering the option of holding mass protests at Pakistan’s embassies in the USA, UK, New Zealand and Australia.

“It should not be limited to holding protests…but international media attention will also sought,” said Pu Waugh, an animal rights activist.



He said they were also going to approach People for the Ethical Treatment of Animal (PETA), an animal rights organisation, the Humane Society International (HSI), and the David Sheldrick Wild Life to start a legal battle under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to get the Islamabad zoo blacklisted, thus barring it from acquiring any more animals.

The activists have also deplored a decision of the CDA to request two female elephants from the Sri Lankan government to address Kaavan’s loneliness. His mate Saheli died at the zoo in 2012 due to the alleged negligence of the zoo management.

Meanwhile, a petition titled “Help Free Kaavan” launched a few days ago is continuously taking rounds on social media. Until the filing of this report, some 43,770 people have signed the petition seeking the elephant’s immediate release to a sanctuary.

The official email of the CDA chairman has been flooded with emails from across the globe asking him to address the issue.

Kaavan’s handler under fire

Senior officials of the zoo management seem helpless to address mahout (elephant handler) Bilal’s decision to chain the animal because of Kaavan’s aggressive behavior.

“Bilal owns a tuck shop in front of Islamabad Zoo and spends most of his time running the shop instead of taking care of the animal,” said a senior zoo official who declined to be named. He said elephants require a handler by their side at all the times. “Bilal is paid overtime to stay with the elephant, and as the only CDA employee experienced in handling the animal, he takes advantage of the situation.”

According to the CDA records, the handler has been suspended on three different occasions from due to his careless attitude. He was even demoted after Saheli died due to alleged negligence.

When contacted, Bilal, claimed he was always with the elephant. When asked who runs the zoo’s tuck shop if he is with the elephant all day, he refused to answer, saying he was not allowed to talk to media.

A senior zoo management official said they were considering initiating an inquiry into the elephant’s handlers and permission would soon be sought soon.

CDA spokesperson Ramzan Sajid told The Express Tribune that the Chairman had categorically ordered the removal of the elephant’s restraints. “Responsibility will be fixed upon officers for not complying with the orders,” Sajid said.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 11^th, 2015.