KARACHI: A rare white lion died at Karachi Zoo on Wednesday, officials said.

Karachi Metropolitan Corporation spokesperson Ali Hassan Sajid said that the lion had been ill for the last 13 days suffering from pulmonary TB, which was being treated by veterinarians but he could not recover and died due to the illness at 11am.

He said the lion was aged between 14 and 15 years and brought to the zoo from Africa in 2012. The spokesman said that a team of veterinarians conducted the autopsy and collected details about the illness and cause of the death.

“According to the veterinarians, the lion also had pneumonia and the lungs had stopped functioning,” he added.

Karachi Administrator Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that he was saddened to learn of the death of a rare breed of white lion at Karachi Zoo.

“Strict disciplinary action will be taken against the zoo management if any negligence is found after the cause of death of the lion has come to light,” he said.

He directed the authorities to submit a report with regard to the death of the lion.

In 2012, a new glass enclosure was built on the occasion of the arrival of the big cat so that the citizens visiting the zoo can fully see the lion.

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2021