KARACHI: Exactly one year after the tragic and untimely demise of African elephant Noor Jehan at the Karachi Zoo, animal lovers, including wildlife conservationists, musicians, artists, filmmakers and animal welfare activists, gathered on the call of Pakistan Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and the I Am Noor Jehan Movement, at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture on Monday.

Speaking on the occasion, documentary filmmaker and co-founder of PAWS Mahera Omar said that Noor Jehan was born free in the wild lands of Tanzania. “She was a baby still nursing from her mother when brutally captured by a Pakistani animal trader in 2009, along with three other baby elephants, after killing their mothers, to be forcibly brought to Karachi for a harsh life in captivity,” she said.

“We are gathered here today in her loving memory, and to highlight the plight of the many other wild animals suffering in captivity in Pakistan,” she added. “Zoos rob elephants of their most basic needs. Elephants are active for 18 hours and roam up to 30 miles a day in the wild. They live in social herds and form complex lifelong bonds with each other,” she said.

“Foot problem from cement floors is a leading cause of death for elephants in captivity. Wild animals belong in the wild. They don’t deserve a life in captivity. Several zoos abroad have shut down their elephant exhibits, including San Francisco, Chicago, Toronto and London Zoo. The last three elephants remaining in Pakistan — Madhubala, Malika and Sonu — deserve a better life in a species appropriate sanctuary. We must do all that we can to ensure they spend the rest of their lives together free from pain and suffering, and try to right the years of wrongs that have been done to them over the last 15 years in our country.”

Speakers highlight plight of captive wild animals in country; call for reuniting Madhubala with her sisters in Safari Park

Currently, Madhubala lives in the Karachi Zoo while her sisters, Malika and Sonu, are at the Safari Park. The elephants had been broken into pairs soon after arriving in Pakistan.

Animal activist Jude Allen thanked all who helped Noor Jehan in her final days at the Karachi Zoo including her team of doctors led by Dr Amir Khalil and other international and local doctors including Dr Shalla Hayat and Dr Zulfiqar Otho.

“We are here to celebrate the legacy of Noor Jehan. Her spirit lives on though she has transitioned to another world after spending a life in captivity,” he said. He also thanked PAWS and Four Paws International along with all the other organisations that work for the betterment of animals for lending their support.

He said that after Noor Jehan died, Madhubala, the other elephant left behind in her enclosure, was grieving and lonely but the Four Paws team trained him to train Madhubala, which he has been doing since November last year. “We have now developed a bond of trust. She loves to play. We play football in which she also cheats,” he chuckled.

But he also mentioned, on being coaxed by Mahera, something which showed how majestic and intelligent animals are.

“They sense everything. Today, on Noor Jehan’s first death anniversary, I noticed Madhubala after training to go to the area in her cage where Noor Jehan is buried and circle it,” he shared, making everyone very sad for the late elephant and her captive friend who still misses her.

“As an animal lover, I had the worst experience treating Noor Jehan in her final days,” said Dr Zulfiqar Otho, one of the veterinarians who were treating Noor Jehan. “There was so much mismanagement and she died young. I could see the will to live in her eyes but no energy in her body,” he said.

Also present were Salman Ali and Azhar Khan who had helped lift Noor Jehan so that she could stand. “It was not like taking care of a sick dog or cat, who you can pick up and carry. This was lifting four to six tonnes,” Salman reminded.

Everyone was in agreement that Madhubala should be shifted from the zoo and be reunited with her sisters at the Safari Park. The grieving Madhubala has not seen her sisters in 14 years.

Finally, Fizza Anvarali sang a sweet song she had written in memory of Noor Jehan, wishing freedom for all birds and creatures.

Published in Dawn, April 23nd, 2024