Karachi : Following the death of African Elephant Noor Jehan at Karachi Zoo earlier this year activist group ‘Friends of the Karachi 4 Now 3 ‘have raised serious concerns for the remaining three Karachi elephants.
Elephant Malika at Karachi Safari Park appears to be suffering from an untreated leg/foot Injury whilst the psychological wellbeing of both Madhubala (Karachi Zoo) and Sonia (Karachi Safari Park) is in doubt. Madhubala has been seen frequently bashing her head against the gates of her enclosure whilst Sonia exhibitsstereotypical behaviours.
Concerns have long been held by wildlife NGO’s and activists around the world regarding the poor conditions that all the Karachi elephants are held in. In 2021 Dr Marion Garai an elephant expert from ‘Pro Elephant Network’ said ” I can say this is one of the worst facilities with the worst type of care giving I have seen to date.”
Following the death of Noor Jehan at Karachi Zoo at just 17 years old (Elephants have a life expectancy of up to 70 years in the wild.) hopes had been raised that zoo owners Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) would Improve conditions at the Safari Park, there was even talk of building an elephant sanctuary In partnership with NGO ‘Four Paws’ yet 4 months later no agreement appears to have been reached and a cage has been constructed In readiness for the transfer of elephant ‘Madhubala’ from Karachi Zoo.
Whilst there Is a grassed area at the Safari Park for the elephants which on first Impressions make this venue appear more elephant friendly than the Karachi Zoo,the elephants are rarely released from the cages to utilise this, the area Is also not secured with ‘elephant proof’ fencing to enable any ‘free roaming’ for the elephants.
Numerous videos have been released on social media depicting Safari Park employees taking money from visitors for feeding or selfies with the elephants. Visitors are even observed entering the elephant’s cages for photographs. Maria Mossman from UK based advocacy group ‘Action for Elephants Uk’ said “It is unbelievablethat this unsafe practice Is allowed, It Is only a matter of time before an elephant seriously Injures a visitor or worse!”
Videos have also been posted across social media withSafari Park employees using the elephants for ‘circus style’ poses.
Activists are concerned that responsible authority KMC seem to have learnt nothing from the death of Noor Jehan and despite promises of improvements, none can be seen, the elephants remain
incarcerated in horrendous conditions being exploited at every opportunity. KMC have made no effort to build a more suitable enclosure for Madhubala at the Safari Park instead, another cage of the type already there has been constructed despite KMC having been warned that this Is both entirely unsuitable and cruel.
Whilst a move to the safari park for elephant Madhubala will provide her with limited opportunities for social Interaction with other elephants, the venue will fail to meet her other needs as It does for the Incumbent elephants, It Is tragic that any authority could contemplate keeping elephants In these conditions In 2023!
Ahead of ‘World Elephant Day’ on August 12th activist group ‘Friends of the Karachi 4 Now 3’ say all 3 Karachi elephants must be relocated to a sanctuary or other facility better equipped to meet their needs urgently before their poor environments cause further Illness orelephant deaths! They urge authority KMC to honour ‘World Elephant Day’ by announcing their willingness to release the three Karachi elephants.
