ISLAMABAD: Two Himalayan brown bears along with the lone elephant, Kaavan, of Islamabad Marghazar Zoo may be relocated to a foreign country since sanctuaries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab are not ready to accommodate them.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah on Friday resumed hearing of a case related to shifting of Kaavan to a sanctuary in Cambodia.

Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) Chairman Dr Anisur Rehman informed the court that most of the inmates of the zoo had been relocated to appropriate sanctuaries.

He said the two Himalayan brown bears were not being accepted by the wildlife departments of Punjab and KP. The counsel for the management of Balkasar bear sanctuary informed the court that his client would accept the responsibility if so directed by the court.

Sanctuaries in Punjab, KP not ready to accommodate Kaavan, the two bears, IHC informed

He, however, pointed out that the behavioural, social and physiological needs of the Himalayan bears cannot be met because high altitude open valleys and pastures were their natural habitat.

It was stated that Kaavan, the lonely and “ill-treated elephant” was in good health.

An internationally renowned organisation, Four Paws, has sent a team of experts and veterinarians for finalising the arrangements to shift ‘Kaavan’ to a sanctuary in Cambodia.

The IWMB chairman informed the court that Dr Amir Khalil of Four Paws had developed a relationship with ‘Kaavan’ and was taking care of all other species. He said the Ministry of Climate Change had also extended its support.

The court observed that life is the most superior form of creation of the Creator.

Humans are gifted with superior faculties and attributes and, therefore, it is their duty to protect life in every form.

A society which does not acknowledge this fundamental principle inevitably ends up in chaos and anarchy.

The lack of respect for ‘life’ is the source of heinous crimes in a society, particularly against the vulnerable segments such as children and women.

There would have been no crime nor terrorism in the world if humans had respect for ‘life’ and the will to protect the vulnerable living creatures such as animal species, Justice Minallah observed.

The manner in which living beings have been treated at the Islamabad zoo in the past may be a tip of the iceberg.

It is ironic that food meant for the helpless inmates of the zoo was also reported to be stolen, the court noted.

“It reflects a mindset, which does not have empathy for vulnerable living creatures caged in deplorable conditions.”

An application has been filed by young citizens who have struggled to draw the attention of the authorities to the suffering and torture of animal species caged in the zoo.

The Friends of Islamabad Zoo and many young citizens have demonstrated their will to protect nature and those vulnerable living beings who are at the mercy of humans.

Such young committed and public spirited citizens are the true representatives and image of Pakistan, the court order said.

The counsel for Friends of Islamabad Zoo was asked whether Dr Amir Khalil would be willing to assist the court in ascertaining the status of Kaavan and the two brown bears.

The reply given to the court was in the affirmative.Further hearing of the matter was adjourned to September 28.

Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2020