KARACHI: The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has notified an 18-member technical committee to oversee the health issues and implementation of treatment plans for Safari Park elephants Malika and Madhubala.

According to a notification, the two female elephants have been diagnosed with “Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex”.

The committee’s terms of reference include finalising and overseeing the elephants’ treatment plan, providing technical advice, monitoring treatment and strengthening infrastructure for elephant care.

Led by Dr R.C Rajapaksa, Director General, National Zoological Department, Sri Lanka (Chairman) and Dr Amir Khalil, Director Four Paws International (Co-Chairman), the committee members are: Dr Taweekpoke Angkawanish, Dr Frank Goritz, Head Veterinarian, Leibniz Institute, Germany), Dr Marina Ivanova (Four Paws), Dr Naseem Salahuddin, Prof Emeritus and Head of Infectious Disease Department, Indus Hospital, Prof Anila Durrani, Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore, Prof Rumina Hasan, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Dr Ghulam Mustafa, Department of Pathology, UVAS, Dr Samreen Ashraf, Additional Director, T.B. Control Progamme, Dr Benazir Kanwal, Sindh Institute of Animal Health, Karachi, Dr Narantuya Jadambaa (WHO Country Office-Pakistan), Dr Khawaja Laeeq Ahmed (WHO), Dr Syed Kazim Hussain, veterinary consultant, Safari Park, zoo zoologist/additional director Abida Raees, zoologist Safari Park Shaista Dilshad, Deputy Director Zoo Dr Aamir Ismail (secretary/member) and Yusra Askari, member Task Force (co-secretary/member).

The senior zoo director and the director of Safari Park will act as co-opted members to liaison and coordinate with the technical committee.

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2025