KARACHI: The zoo uplift project launched almost a year ago is yet to bring any relief to the animals caged in pathetic conditions at the facility for a long time, a recent visit to the zoo showed.

The reason, according to sources, was the government’s lack of interest in hiring staff (currently more than 80 posts are vacant) and to initiate the desperately needed training of zookeepers.

These important aspects, however, were nowhere on the government’s list of priorities and the focus was on physical infrastructure for which a master plan was yet to be developed, they said.

“Sanitation conditions at the zoo have gone from bad to worse as there is an acute shortage of sweepers. This is seriously affecting animal health,” said a zookeeper on condition of anonymity.

While most animals appeared to be in distress, the large caged mammals, for instance the lone Bactrian camel, the big cats and the elephants, needed immediate attention.

Lying motionless in her cage, the white lioness that got infected with a serious skin infection one and a half years ago still looked sick as her skin had many hairless spots.

The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) had purchased her with its mate at a cost of Rs10 million in 2012 from a private contractor.

There is only one vet for hundreds of animals

The double-humped ungulate female, who lost its mate in 2014 to a disease, was also in terrible state with flies clung to her patchy hairless skin.

The elephants’ pair was found confined to a small area with iron grills where, the staff said, they were brought every day in the evening for “visitors’ entertainment”.

Sources said that the zoo elephants hadn’t been able to properly grow their tusks because of the small space they were often forced to spend their time in.

“They often hit themselves against the iron grills. The concrete pillars within the enclosure are also a major obstruction to their movement,” said a zoo staff member preferring to remain anonymous.

Upon contact, zoo director Dr Mansoor Qazi, who has recently assumed charge of the office, said that he was aware of the zoo’s shortcomings and the problems animals faced and was trying his best to improve the conditions within the limited means.

“There is an acute shortage of staff, which is badly hurting the animals. I have moved an application in this regard, hoping that the problem will be solved soon,” he said.

“At present, there is only one vet for more than 800 animals at the zoo. So you can imagine the kind of challenges we are facing. It’s not humanly possible for a single vet to look after so many animals,” he said.

“Also, there is a dire need to train staff, which requires funds. The KMC faces a serious financial crunch so we are hoping that this component becomes part of the uplift project launched by the Sindh government,” he said.

Karachi Package Project Director Niaz Soomro, who is overseeing the zoo uplift project, said that though the government’s focus was on physical infrastructure, the training component would be looked into when we purchased more animals.

“The master plan would be soon ready after which we will start building a cage-free environment according to the needs of each animal. So far, we have built a boundary wall while work is in progress for laying new sewerage lines,” he said, adding that the architect firm assigned the project comprised people with expertise on captive animals.

Sources, however, said that the ban on recruitment by the Sindh government was hampering staff hiring.

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2018