KARACHI: Members of the provincial task force on wildlife in captivity, zoos/Safari Park in Karachi held a meeting on Friday wherein they were informed that elephant Sonia housed in the Safari Park was being treated for a parasitic infection, sources told Dawn.

The attendees included additional chief secretary local government, housing and town planning Khalid Hyder Shah, who chaired the meeting, president World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan Nadeem Khalid, conservator Wildlife Sindh Javed Ahmed Mahar, former MPA Sumeta Afzal Syed and journalist Yusra Askari.

Sources said while there was not a specific agenda of the meeting, it was called against the backdrop of media reports highlighting elephant Sonia’s illness.

Responding to members’ concerns, zoo officials Muhammad Iqbal Nawaz, Dr Aamir Ismail and Abida Raees explained that the elephant was recovering well as the infection had been detected in time.

Mayor Wahab asks officials to ensure best treatment for Safari Park’s elephant

They took exception to the media coverage of the animals housed in the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) facilities, describing it as discouraging.

The members discussed as to how the coordination between KMC officials and the media could be improved and a positive image of the facilities could be projected.

Mr Khalid Shah directed concerned officials to take urgent steps for animal welfare.

Sonia to be administered second dose today, mayor told

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab sought a report from the authorities about Sonia and ordered them to ensure best treatment for her.

A spokesperson for the mayor stated that Mr Wahab was informed by authorities that swelling was observed on Sonia’s umbilical region on June 20 by Dr Aamir and zoologist Abida Rais and Dr Syed Kazim Hussain, member panel of the veterinary experts.

“It was soon attended and shared with Four Paws (FP) international. Her blood sample was taken on June 27 on the advice of FP and sent to a local lab in Karachi for complete blood count and blood biochemistry. Samples were also sent for blood parasite scanning to the University of Animal Sciences Lahore (UVAS),” the mayor was informed.

According to the spokesperson, the mayor was further told that Sonia had already got her first dose of the treatment on UVAS experts’ recommendation.

“The second dose will be administered on July 6. We apparently see improvement because swelling is gradually being subsided. Meanwhile, we have requested FP to pay a detailed physical visit to suggest best remedial measures,” the spokesperson added.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2024