ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) filed a contempt case against the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for not complying with the Islamabad High Court’s judgement of May 11, 2020, regarding the Islamabad Zoo.

The judgement stated, “It is declared, therefore, that the Zoo, its management, and all other matters relating thereto fall within the jurisdiction and competence of the Board of management constituted under the Wildlife Ordinance of 1979.”

Chairperson Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) Rina Saeed Khan said that the management of the zoo was handed over to the IWMB, and nowhere did it say that a zoo of international standards should be reopened.

Filed in the Islamabad High Court, the contempt case comes after successive efforts by the Capital Development Authority to reclaim the Islamabad Zoo. The civic body maintained that it aimed to reopen the zoo after taking over its administrative control from the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) and extend educational and recreational opportunities to families, students, and nature enthusiasts.

Last week, the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board said that it was currently in touch with the media to present its position as well as looking at other measures, including legal options to retain Islamabad Zoo.

Two weeks ago, IWMB welcomed the media for an exclusive tour to shed light on the work done and share future plans since taking charge of Margazar Zoo three years ago.

IWMB was set up in 2015 under Section 4 of the Islamabad Wildlife Ordinance 1979 and reported to the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination. The now-closed Islamabad zoo was handed over to IWMB in July 2020 by the Federal Cabinet following Islamabad High Court orders.

In a written response to counter CDA efforts, chairperson IWMB Rina Saeed Khan said last week that in 2020, Islamabad Zoo was shut down by the landmark judgement of the IHC.

As the judgement was not challenged by anyone, IWMB converted the site into the only wildlife rescue centre of its kind in Pakistan, providing assistance to all species of wild animals in distress, she said.

Three years ago, the Islamabad High Court mandated the closure of Margazar Zoo following reported instances of cruel treatment towards caged animals. Margazar Zoo’s prime attractions, Kaavan, the world’s loneliest elephant, and the two brown bears, had to be sent to sanctuaries in Sri Lanka and Jordan for a better retired life.

“Also, for our Rescue and Rehab Centre, we have signed and stamped certificate from Four Paws, who have inspected the facility in August of 2023,” said the chairperson.

Four Paws, which was an animal welfare organisation, said that the facility and resources in the Wildlife Rehabilitation and Rescue Centre (old Marghazar Zoo) in Islamabad were above satisfactory and aligned with international animal husbandry standards.

“In the month of July/August 2023, the team of Four Paws International visited the Wildlife Rehabilitation and Rescue Centre Islamabad, where the facility is housing rescued and confiscated wild animals, which include several former dancing bears, Bengal tiger, monkeys, civet cat and birds. The undersigned found all the residents in healthy and well-sought-after conditions,” said the Four Paws certification.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2024