KARACHI: Expressing concern over elephant Noor Jehan’s serious condition that has once again brought into spotlight official neglect at zoos and plight of captive animals in the country, the World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-P) on Tuesday called for urgent steps for animals’ welfare, including establishment of an independent zoo management committee with appropriate civil society representation.

It also called upon the government of Sindh and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) to carefully evaluate the dismal conditions at zoos and make well-informed decisions about their future viability.

“The recent updates from the Karachi zoo do not bode well for Noor Jehan. Despite the best efforts of the team of experts attending to the ailing elephant, Noor Jehan’s condition is still critical.

“We are extremely concerned about Noor Jehan’s situation. We do not support the practice of keeping elephants in zoos and circuses. Elephants are usually acquired from the wild, caught as young animals, illegally traded through a network of dealers, and suffer tremendously in captivity,” reads a WWF-P statement.

Expresses concern over condition of ailing elephant Noor Jehan

It stated that Noor Jehan’s suffering at the Karachi zoo was a repetition of the story of Kavaan (translocated in 2022), Suzi at Lahore Zoo (died 2017), Saheli at Islamabad Zoo (died 2012), and Anarkali at Karachi Zoo (died 2006).

“Zoos in Pakistan treat endangered wildlife species as ‘tender items’ and we have an unfortunate history of elephants’ losses due to health problems which are rooted in poor management; inappropriate diet, and limb and foot complications arising from insufficient exercise, shackling and inappropriate husbandry,” it said.

Elephants, according to the organisation, have complex ecological and social needs, particularly the females who form lifelong bonds within matriarchal herds.

“Recognising that zoos cannot meet these complex requirements of elephants, which leads to both physiological and psychological (abnormal behaviours) issues, thus, reducing their lifespan and compromising their well-being, zoos across the globe, including the London Zoo, have closed down their elephant facilities.

“Those that still keep them (e.g., Twycross Zoo, Whipsnade Zoo) house them in large enclosures with correct social groups. Edinburgh Zoo has an elephant statue along with a sign that states, ‘This is the only elephant you would see in the zoo’.”

The organisation called upon the Sindh government and KMC to set up an independent zoo management committee with appropriate civil society representation, an independent bank account for the zoo where all the gate and contract income is set aside, and devise a capacity-building plan.

The country, it stated, needed rules and regulations to be implemented, in letter and spirit, to stop acquiring elephants, while bringing in laws and standards for zoos and strictly adhering to them.

“We appreciate that experienced veterinary support was made available. However, we do urge that we build capacity in this field in Pakistan and equip our zoos with appropriate infrastructure and good husbandry practices to improve the well-being of the animals,” said the organisation.

It said it believed that animals held in zoos should be cared for according to the highest husbandry standards in compliance with national, regional and local legislation and adhering to the provisions of the Code of Ethics and Animal Welfare of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

“For that reason, administrations and zoo management committees must ensure proper and adequate enclosures mimicking the natural habitat of the species,” it said.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2023