Ailing Karachi Zoo elephant Noor Jehan passes away

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD: There seems to be no end to the suffering of Kavaan – the lone elephant at the Marghazar Zoo – as the animal spent an entire chilly and rainy night in the moat on Thursday.

Officials in the zoo said Kavaan fell into the moat on Thursday evening and was pulled out after breaking the front wall of the moat on Friday morning.

However, there were conflicting reports about how the elephant ended up in the moat.

Some officials claimed that the elephant was deliberately brought down to the moat by a zoo official to make it an issue.

They said there was no sign to indicate that the animal slipped into the moat. They also said Kavaan remained in the ditch standing. None of the zoo officials deputed with Kavaan were present on duty.

However, a number of zoo officials confirmed to Dawn that the elephant remained in the moat the whole night in the rain.

“We are going to hold an inquiry into the incident. If it is established that the animal was brought down into the ditch deliberately, strict disciplinary action will be taken against the guilty official,” said Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz.

He said after hectic efforts, the animal was brought back to its enclosure.

“During inquiry everything will become clear,” Mr Aziz said, adding that CCTV cameras would be installed in the elephant enclosure.

Last year, seven nilgais died in the zoo after consuming poisonous food as determined in the autopsy reports.

Sources said there were some people who carried out such incidents to safeguard their interests.

A zoo official, on condition of anonymity, said the animal was a source of income for some staff members who allegedly took money from the visitors to arrange sugarcane for the animal. Whereas sugarcanes are purchased from official funds, he added.

However, another official of the zoo claimed that this practice had stopped now and an inquiry was underway in a previous case.

In the past, the zoo staff used to collect money from visitors, he added.

Kavaan gained international fame after its case was taken up by animal rights activists, including American singer Cher.

The animal does not have an enclosure large enough so that it can move freely and the three-walled structure made for it does not provide adequate shade in summer.

The animal has been living alone eversince its partner Saheli died in 2012 reportedly due to negligence of the zoo staff.

Though promises had been made to arrange another elephant for the zoo, so far no step has been taken in this regard.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1538929

 

[MenInG]

Music icon Cher marked "ONE OF THE GREATEST MOMENTS OF MY LIFE" Thursday after a Pakistani court ordered freedom for a lonely elephant named Kaavan, who had become the subject of a high-profile rights campaign backed by the US singer.

"WE HAVE JUST HEARD FROM PAKISTAN HIGH COURT KAAVAN IS FREE," Cher tweeted, adding a string of emojis and saying she felt "SICK".

"THIS IS ONE OF THE GREATEST MOMENTS OF MY LIFE," the effusive singer continued.

The Islamabad High Court has ordered wildlife officials to consult with Sri Lanka to find Kaavan a "suitable sanctuary" within 30 days, tweeted the Friends of Islamabad Zoo, which described itself as a group of citizens concerned about animal welfare at the zoo.

Outrage over treatment of Kaavan, an Asian elephant originally from Sri Lanka, went global several years ago with a petition garnering over 200,000 signatures after it emerged he was being chained at the Islamabad Zoo in Pakistan's leafy capital.

Zoo officials later said this was no longer the case, and that he just needed a new mate after his previous partner died in 2012.

But experts have told AFP previously that without a better habitat his future was bleak, even if a long-promised new mate finally arrives.

His behaviour -- including signs of distress such as bobbing his head repeatedly -- demonstrates "a kind of mental illness", Safwan Shahab Ahmad of the Pakistan Wildlife Foundation told AFP in 2016.

Activists said he had insufficient shelter from Islamabad's searing summer temperatures, which can rise to above 40 degrees Celsius (100 Fahrenheit).

Asian elephants can roam thousands of kilometres through deep tropical and subtropical forests, according to the World Wildlife Fund.

In contrast, Kaavan's 90 by 140 metre (100 by 150 yard) pen had almost no foliage, and only limited shade was provided.

Arriving as a one-year-old in 1985 from Sri Lanka, Kaavan was temporarily held in chains in 2002 because zookeepers were concerned about increasingly violent tendencies, but he was freed later that year after an outcry.

His mate Saheli, who arrived also from Sri Lanka in 1990, died in 2012, and in 2015 it emerged that Kaavan was regularly being chained once more -- for several hours a day.

Scores of people signed a petition sent to zoo authorities and Pakistan's then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in protest.

A second petition circulated in 2016 and backed by over 200,000 animal-lovers from across the globe demanded Kaavan's release to a sanctuary.

Cher, who for years has spoken out about Kaavan's plight, tweeted her thanks to the Pakistani government, adding "it's so emotional for us that I have to sit Down".

https://www.afp.com/en/news/15/cher...grees-free-lonely-elephant-kaavan-doc-1s13hl2

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday held that animals in captivity at the Marghazar Zoo in Islamabad have been kept in conditions that amount to subjecting them to unnecessary pain and suffering and are thus in violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1890 and the Wildlife Ordinance of 1979.

“Neither there are adequate facilities nor resources to provide living conditions that would meet the behavioural, social and physiological needs of the animals,” read a verdict authored by Chief Justice Athar Minallah.

While deciding a petition of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board against the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI), the verdict regretted the Kaavan - the zoo’s lone elephant - has been treated cruelly by subjecting him to unimaginable pain and suffering for the past three decades and his continued captivity in the circumstances would expose the authorities to criminal consequences under the relevant laws.

Kaavan was gifted by Sri Lanka in 1985 when he was a year old and for more than 30 years, has been kept chained in a small enclosure, with inappropriate conditions required to meet the physiological, social and behavioural needs of this extraordinary species of living beings.

Court rules that Islamabad zoo’s animals have been kept in conditions that violate Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, Wildlife Ordinance

The pain and suffering of Kaavan must come to an end by relocating him to an appropriate elephant sanctuary, in or outside the country, the verdict held, adding the chairman of the Board of Wildlife Management, constituted under the Wildlife Ordinance of 1979 should forthwith make arrangements, preferably in consultation with and the consent of the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to relocate Kaavan to a suitable sanctuary within 30 days. The board can seek assistance of experts and international entities or organisations in this regard.

Similarly the board will also relocate all the remaining animals to their respective sanctuaries within 60 days from the date of receiving a certified copy of this judgment, the court said.

The board will also take over the management of the zoo whereas MCI and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) chief commissioner will assist the board till the animals have been relocated.

The minster in charge of the Ministry of Climate Change and members of the board will jointly be liable for the welfare and wellbeing of each animal till their relocation to their respective sanctuaries, the judgment held.

The board will not keep any new animal in the zoo till a reputable international agency or organisation specialising in matters relating to zoological gardens has certified that the facilities and resources are available to provide for the needs of each species of animals, the judgment said.

The board will inspect any other zoo established in ICT to ascertain the treatment of animals and take measures in accordance with the law.

Likewise the black bear, confiscated by the board will continue to stay in the bear sanctuary because it was in illegal possession in ICT, the judgment said, adding the board will be assisted by the Islamabad chief commissioner and the inspector general of police in order to enforce the provisions of the Wildlife Ordinance.

The board will also ensure and take appropriate measures to enforce the provisions of the relevant laws so that no animal is treated in a manner that subjects it to unnecessary pain and suffering, the verdict observed.

Similarly the federal government will also consider advising the respective provincial governments to include in the curriculum of Islamic Studies religious teachings regarding the importance of taking care of animals, their welfare and wellbeing, and the media may consider informing the public in this regard as well.

The high court also regretted that reportedly “mahouts” have a negative relationship with Kaavan since his food was sold to visitors so that the latter could feed the elephant. The funds generated are not recorded and thus go unaccounted while the health condition of the elephant was also disturbing.

The diet given to Kaavan is also substandard and inadequate to meet its needs, the judgment said, adding this social living being has been kept in isolation since his female companion Saheli’s death at the age of 22 in 2012.

There is also no dispute that animal does not deserves to be subjected to cruel treatment and to separate an elephant from the herd and keep it in isolation is not what has been contemplated by nature, the judgment said.

Like humans, animals also have natural rights which ought to be recognised, the judgment said, and that it was a right of each animal, a living being, to live in an environment that meets its behavioural, social and physiological needs.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1558826/ihc-wants-kaavan-to-be-relocated-to-appropriate-sanctuary

 

[MenInG]

Music icon and animal rights activist Cher shared her delight after a Pakistani court ordered the freedom for a lonely elephant, who had become the subject of a high-profile rights campaign backed by the United States singer.

"We have just heard from Pakistan High Court Kaavan is free," the singer and animal rights campaigner said on Twitter on Thursday in capital letters, adding a string of emojis and saying she felt "sick".

"This is one of the greatest moments of my life," she said.

Outrage over the treatment of Kaavan at the capital's Islamabad Zoo went global several years ago with a petition garnering more than 200,000 signatures after it emerged he was being chained up.

The Islamabad High Court ordered wildlife officials to consult with Sri Lanka, where the Asian elephant came from, to find him a "suitable sanctuary" within 30 days.

"The pain and suffering of Kaavan must come to an end by relocating him to an appropriate elephant sanctuary, in or outside the country," the court ordered, criticising the zoo for failing to meet the animal's needs for the past three decades.

The court has also ordered dozens of other animals - including brown bears, lions and birds - to be relocated temporarily while the zoo improves its standards.

Zoo officials have in the past denied that Kaavan was chained up and said he was just in need of a new mate after his partner died in 2012.

But experts have told AFP previously that without a better habitat his future was bleak.

His behaviour - including signs of distress such as bobbing his head repeatedly - demonstrates "a kind of mental illness", Safwan Shahab Ahmad of the Pakistan Wildlife Foundation told AFP news agency in 2016.

Activists said he had insufficient shelter from Islamabad's searing summer temperatures, which can rise to above 40 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit).

'Bold step'
Asian elephants can roam thousands of kilometres through deep tropical and subtropical forests, according to the World Wildlife Fund.

In contrast, Kaavan's 90 by 140 metre (100 by 150 yard) pen had almost no foliage, and only limited shade was provided.

The Nonhuman Rights Project, a US animal rights group, which has been campaigning for Kaavan, applauded the "bold step".

Arriving as a one-year-old in 1985 from Sri Lanka, Kaavan was temporarily held in chains in 2002 because zookeepers were concerned about increasingly violent tendencies, but he was freed later that year after an outcry.

His mate Saheli, who arrived also from Sri Lanka in 1990, died in 2012, and in 2015 it emerged that Kaavan was regularly being chained once more - for several hours a day.

Many people signed a petition sent to zoo authorities and Pakistan's then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in protest.

A second petition circulated in 2016 and was backed by more than 200,000 animal-lovers from across the globe, demanding Kaavan's release to a sanctuary.

Cher, who for years has spoken out about his plight, tweeted her thanks to the Pakistani government, adding: "It's so emotional for us that I have to sit down."

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...van-campaign-singer-cher-200522082957974.html

 

[Firebat]

Good to see some semblance of animal rights, but almost single-handedly achieved by mass social media presence. Don't think it's a big milestone.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I was a big fan of you when you played cricket <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImranKhanPTI</a> . I always thought you seemed so kind. Thank you so much for your help. This is a dream come true <a href="https://twitter.com/ftwglobal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ftwglobal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kaavan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kaavan</a></p>— Cher (@cher) <a href="https://twitter.com/cher/status/1267463702761988096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Syed1]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I was a big fan of you when you played cricket <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImranKhanPTI</a> . I always thought you seemed so kind. Thank you so much for your help. This is a dream come true <a href="https://twitter.com/ftwglobal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ftwglobal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kaavan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kaavan</a></p>— Cher (@cher) <a href="https://twitter.com/cher/status/1267463702761988096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

)


Ya Allah please grant some sabar-o-tahammul to patwaris, jiyalas, woke liberals, burger bachas, gangus and mullahs to digest this tweet


CC: [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]

 

[Swashbuckler]

Elephants should always be in herds especially the females, such a sad looking elephant, Kaavan. Even in our poorly maintained zoos we have multiple elephants in the same place, but in temples we usually have solitary elephants which isn't fair on the animal, need changes.

 

[Syed1]

Elephants should always be in herds especially the females, such a sad looking elephant, Kaavan. Even in our poorly maintained zoos we have multiple elephants in the same place, but in temples we usually have solitary elephants which isn't fair on the animal, need changes.

A majestic beast such as an elephant has no business being in a zoo. I was in Sri Lanka late last year, visited an elephant orphanage. Was impressed by how the poorest South Asian country protects their elephants.

 

[Swashbuckler]

A majestic beast such as an elephant has no business being in a zoo. I was in Sri Lanka late last year, visited an elephant orphanage. Was impressed by how the poorest South Asian country protects their elephants.

That's nice to hear, agree with you.

Sri Lanka isn't that poor, when we look at their per capita GDP, HDI parameters, poverty %, wealth inequality the island nation is well ahead of other South Asian countries. Specifically talking about HDI Sri Lanka is ahead of countries like China, Thailand, Mexico, Brazil, Ukraine etc (http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/2019-human-development-index-ranking) which is very impressive.

 

[JaDed]

Elephants should always be in herds especially the females, such a sad looking elephant, Kaavan. Even in our poorly maintained zoos we have multiple elephants in the same place, but in temples we usually have solitary elephants which isn't fair on the animal, need changes.

As a kid I remember seeing those elephants being used for blessing around Chennai(for donation) esp around T nagar.

 

[Syed1]

That's nice to hear, agree with you.

Sri Lanka isn't that poor, when we look at their per capita GDP, HDI parameters, poverty %, wealth inequality the island nation is well ahead of other South Asian countries. Specifically talking about HDI Sri Lanka is ahead of countries like China, Thailand, Mexico, Brazil, Ukraine etc (http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/2019-human-development-index-ranking) which is very impressive.

Sorry by poorest I meant size of GDP, yes they have excellent HDI indicators and their cities were neat and orderly. Nice and very friendly people too.

 

[Swashbuckler]

As a kid I remember seeing those elephants being used for blessing around Chennai(for donation) esp around T nagar.

They are there even now, in quite a few of those old temples. Not just TN, I also remember seeing them in Tirupati 2 years ago, though I am not religious I had to accompany my father there, the elephant blessing was the only cool thing during my visit. The temple elephants in Kerala are even more majestic though I hope they are treated well. If not we must re-evaluate our traditions. Have you been to the Thrissur Pooram festival at Vadakkunnathan Temple?

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Zoos must be outlawed. Wild animals should be left free in their habitats and even domestic animals should be given as much freedom as possible.

Uplifting news and great decision by court.

 

[JaDed]

They are there even now, in quite a few of those old temples. Not just TN, I also remember seeing them in Tirupati 2 years ago, though I am not religious I had to accompany my father there, the elephant blessing was the only cool thing during my visit. The temple elephants in Kerala are even more majestic though I hope they are treated well. If not we must re-evaluate our traditions. Have you been to the Thrissur Pooram festival at Vadakkunnathan Temple?

Ah ok, no not been to any temple festivals but i have heard about the one you are talking about and atleast seen the pics.

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has given the federal government a week to implement its order regarding moving the lone elephant in Marghazar Zoo, Kaavan, and other animals to their respective sanctuaries.

Chief Justice Athar Minallah on May 21 had ordered the release of the caged animals because mismanagement at the zoo posed a threat to them.

Earlier last week, the court also hinted at initiating criminal proceedings against Climate Change Minister Zartaj Gul and other senior officials from the ministry and the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) for delaying the release of the animals, noting that with Kaavan and the other animals confined to the zoo and facing continued unnecessary pain and suffering, “the members of the wildlife board, which include the minister in charge of the climate change, appear to have exposed themselves to criminal proceedings under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1890 besides initiation of proceedings under the Contempt of Court Ordinance 2003.”

On Saturday, the climate change secretary, Islamabad chief commissioner and IWMB officials appeared before the court.

Climate change secretary, chief commissioner and IWMB officials appear before court

Justice Minallah expressed displeasure with their lethargic attitude towards the wellbeing of the animals. He warned them not to politicise the matter for the sake of taking control of the zoo at the cost of the misery of the helpless animals.

He directed them to hold a meeting on July 13 to finalise the strategy to shift the animals to their respective sanctuaries.

Further hearing in this matter has been adjourned till July 18.

In May, the court had declared that the lone elephant Kaavan and all other animals were kept in confinement at the zoo illegally and that their condition and incarceration amounted to subjecting these living beings to unnecessary pain and suffering.

In pursuant to the order of May 21, the IWMB notified an expert committee, with WWF Senior Director Programme Pakistan Rab Nawaz as its chairman and biodiversity specialist Z.B. Mirza as the co-chairman.

As per the terms of reference of the expert committee, it would examine establishing a sanctuary in Pakistan which meets the behavioural, social and physiological needs of Kaavan.

In the landmark judgment, Justice Minallah held that like humans, animals also have natural rights which ought to be recognised, and that it was a right of each animal, a living being, to live in an environment that meets its behavioural, social and physiological needs.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1568434/ihc-gives-govt-a-week-to-implement-order-on-animal-rights

 

[The Viper]

Pakistan to send lonely elephant Kaavan to new home in Cambodia

The Islamabad High Court on Saturday approved the relocation of elephant Kaavan after he became the centre of a high-profile animal rights campaign supported by famed singer Cher.

Kaavan was kept in chains at Islamabad Zoo and exhibited symptoms of mental illness, prompting global outrage over his treatment and a petition demanding his release that garnered over 400,000 signatures.

The capital's High Court ordered Kaavan's freedom in May and instructed wildlife officials to find him a "suitable sanctuary".

Adviser to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam said authorities would "ensure that he lives a happy life".

"We are bidding Kaavan farewell with a heavy heart. It is a sad decision," he added.

Aslam said that a team from Cambodia is coming over to take the 36-year-old elephant with them.

He said that he had discussed Kaavan's plight with the prime minister and it had been decided that a safari zoo will be built in Islamabad.

Authorities told the hearing that an expert committee had recommended he be moved to a 25,000-acre wildlife sanctuary in Cambodia for retirement.

"The court has agreed with the proposal," Anis-ur-Rehman, the chairman of Islamabad Wildlife management board, told AFP on Saturday.

Zoo officials have in the past denied that the Kaavan was chained up, instead claiming he was pining for a new mate after his partner died in 2012.

But his behaviour — including signs of distress such as bobbing his head repeatedly — demonstrated "a kind of mental illness", Safwan Shahab Ahmad of the Pakistan Wildlife Foundation told AFP in 2016.

Activists also said Kaavan was not properly sheltered from Islamabad's searing summer temperatures, which can rise above 40 degrees Celsius (100 Fahrenheit).

Kaavan's plight drew the attention of Cher, who spent years calling for his freedom.

She tweeted in May that the court's decision to order his release was "one of the greatest moments of my life".

Arriving in Pakistan as a one-year-old in 1985 from Sri Lanka, Kaavan was temporarily held in chains in 2002 because zookeepers were concerned about increasingly violent tendencies.

He was freed later that year after an outcry but it emerged in 2015 that he was once more being regularly chained for several hours each day.

The court's May ruling also ordered dozens of other animals — including brown bears, lions and birds — to be relocated temporarily while the zoo improves its standards.

https://www.geo.tv/latest/298657-pakistan-to-send-lonely-elephant-kaavan-to-cambodia

 

[MenInG]

An elephant that lives alone under horrendous conditions in a Pakistan zoo will finally be granted the chance of a better life, the animal welfare group aiding the move said on Saturday.

Dubbed the "world's loneliest elephant" by animal rights activists, Kaavan spent more than 30 years in Islamabad's notorious Marghazar Zoo before catching the attention of campaigners — including Cher — who began lobbying for his relocation around four years ago.

Martin Bauer, a spokesperson for animal welfare campaign group Four Paws, said Kaavan has been finally given medical approval to travel, most likely to an animal sanctuary in Cambodia, where the elephant will find companionship and better conditions.

Wildlife experts from Four Paws inspected the elephant upon invitation by local authorities, Mr Bauer said. Kaavan underwent a full medical examination at the zoo on Friday and was found to be malnourished.

"Due to malnutrition and lack of physical exercise Kaavan shows visible signs of obesity. Also, his nails are cracked and malformed which can be attributed to the inappropriate flooring and structure of his enclosure," said Dr Amir Khalil, a veterinarian with Four Paws.

The Marghazar Zoo was ordered to close in May by Pakistan's High Court because of its shockingly poor conditions, which were blamed on systemic negligence.

Four Paws was invited by the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board to safely transfer the remaining animals in the zoo, including a pair of former dancing bears.

“Unfortunately, the rescue comes too late for two lions that died during an attempted transfer at the end of July after local animal handlers set a fire in their enclosure to force them into their transport crates,” Mr Bauer said in a statement on Saturday.

Before the order to close, Marghazar Zoo had come under fire for its mistreatment of animals. More than 500 animals have been reported missing in recent years and over two dozen animals have died in the zoo's care since 2016.

The campaign to relocate Kavaan took hold four years ago and was boosted by celebrity backing, notably from Cher, who repeatedly shared information about the elephant with fans.

Kaavan first arrived at the zoo in 1985 as a gift to Pakistan from Sri Lanka. The elephant was not always so lonely and for many years shared a small enclosure with female partner Saheli, which died in 2012.

On inspection, Kavaan was found to be suffering behavioural issues as well as the physical damage wrought by the poor, isolated conditions at Marghazar Zoo.

"A lack of physical and behavioural enrichments as well as the absence of a partner, have resulted in Kaavan becoming incredibly bored," Dr Frank Goritz, head veterinarian at Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research who accompanied Four Paws to Islamabad, said.

The elephant "has already developed stereotypical behaviour where he swooshes his head and trunk from side to side for hours", he added.

"Following the checks, which confirmed Kaavan is strong enough, steps will now be taken to finalise his relocation to an animal sanctuary potentially in Cambodia," Mr Bauer said, adding that it is not yet known when the elephant will be able to travel.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/...relocate-islamabad-zoo-pakistan-a9706686.html

 

[MenInG]

With music, treats and balloons, friends of Pakistan’s only Asian elephant threw a farewell party for the creature before its relocation to Cambodia following years of campaigning by animal rights activists.

The plight of Kaavan, an overweight, 35-year-old bull elephant, has drawn international condemnation and highlighted the woeful state of Islamabad’s zoo, where conditions are so bad a judge in May ordered all the animals to be moved.

Kaavan is set to be flown to a wildlife sanctuary in Cambodia on Sunday, said Saleem Shaikh, a spokesman for Pakistan’s ministry of climate change, following months of veterinary care and a special training programme to habituate the elephant to the huge metal crate he will travel in.

But before flying out, the capital’s animal lovers said goodbye, with performances from local bands who serenaded Kaavan ahead of the mammoth move.

“We want to wish him a happy retirement,” said Marion Lombard, the deputy mission leader for Four Paws International – an animal welfare group that has spearheaded the relocation effort.

The Islamabad Zoo, where Kaavan has lived for decades since arriving from Sri Lanka, was decorated with balloons for the occasion and banners wishing the animal well.

“We will miss you Kaavan,” read one of the signs.

Kaavan’s plight was given a boost over the years by American pop icon Cher, who publicly campaigned for the elephant’s relocation and called the decision to move him one of the “greatest moments” of her life.

Zoo officials have in the past denied Kaavan was kept in substandard conditions or chained, claiming instead the creature was pining for a new mate after his partner died.

But Kaavan’s behaviour – including signs of distress such as continual head-bobbing – raised concerns of mental illness.

Activists also said Kaavan was not properly sheltered from Islamabad’s searing summer temperatures, which can rise to more than 40 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit).

Kaavan’s mate Saheli, who also arrived from Sri Lanka, died in 2012.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/25/pakistans-lonely-elephant-kaavan-packs-trunk-for-cambodia

 

[MenInG]

First a presidential farewell and now a visit by the one and only Cher? Kaavan may be 'lonely' but definitely loved.

Iconic singer and actress Cher is set to visit Pakistan, reportedly today, to celebrate the departure of Kaavan, dubbed the “world’s loneliest elephant”, who will soon leave a Pakistani zoo for better conditions after years of lobbying by animal rights groups and activists.

According to The Associated Press, Cher’s schedule has not made public because of security concerns but “she is on her way”, said Martin Bauer of Four Paws International, a Vienna-based animal welfare group that’s led the charge to save Kaavan.

After living in Islamabad for 35 years, Kaavan will be shifted to a sanctuary in Cambodia following directions by Islamabad High Court (IHC) in view of its improper care due to the absence of a natural habitat at the zoo.

“Thanks to Cher, but also local Pakistani activists, Kaavan’s fate made headlines around the world, and this contributed to the facilitation of his transfer,” Bauer told The Associated Press on Friday.

Bauer lauded the powerful impact celebrity voices can have for animal rights.

“Celebrities lending their voices to good causes are always welcomed, as they help starting public discourse and raising pressure on responsible authorities,” he said.

“Around the globe there are animal lovers, famous and not famous, and the support of every single one of them is crucial,” he added.

Earlier in the week, Kaavan was given a farewell by President Dr Arif Alvi and First Lady Samina Alvi at Marghzar Zoo. The president visited the zoo a day after the citizens said goodbye to Kaavan with songs and speeches.

President Dr Arif Alvi and first lady visit Marghzar Zoo to say goodbye to Kaavan on Tuesday. — APP
Four Paws spokeswoman Marion Lombard said that the preparations for Kaavan’s departure on Nov 29 would start at 6am. The elephant will be sedated at 10am and shifted to Nur Khan air base by 1pm.

“It will be airlifted by a Russian cargo aircraft to Cambodia,” she said.

Equally popular among children and adults, Kaavan, the male Asian elephant born in Sri Lanka in 1985, was gifted by the Sri Lankan government to the then president of Pakistan. An elephant named Saheli was brought from Bangladesh in 1990 that remained as Kaavan’s partner until its death in 2012. Kaavan was temporarily chained by zookeepers in 2002 for its aggressive behaviour.

Animal rights activists have been campaigning to free Kaavan and to treat animals in a better way at the zoo.

On May 21, 2020, the IHC ordered that all animals, especially Kaavan, be immediately relocated to better sanctuaries.

After Kaavan, two Himalayan brown bears will also be relocated to Jordan on Dec 6, completing the process of relocation of all animals at the zoo.

https://images.dawn.com/news/118608...-farewell-to-worlds-loneliest-elephant-kaavan

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cher meets PM Imran Khan to thank him in facilitating Kaavan's release from Islamabad Zoo and on to a sanctuary in Cambodia on Nov 29 <a href="https://t.co/y3sM4W2YNk">pic.twitter.com/y3sM4W2YNk</a></p>— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) <a href="https://twitter.com/omar_quraishi/status/1332312043664384000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just Came From Meeting To Thank Prime Minister Imran Kahn For Making It Possible For <br>Me To Take Kaavan To Cambodia. Kaavan Will Be Able To Leave For Cambodia On The 29. Think Documentary Will Be Heartwarming&#55357;&#56911;&#55356;&#57339;.</p>— Cher (@cher) <a href="https://twitter.com/cher/status/1332296298989580288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Madplayer]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just Came From Meeting To Thank Prime Minister Imran Kahn For Making It Possible For <br>Me To Take Kaavan To Cambodia. Kaavan Will Be Able To Leave For Cambodia On The 29. Think Documentary Will Be Heartwarming&#55357;&#56911;&#55356;&#57339;.</p>— Cher (@cher) <a href="https://twitter.com/cher/status/1332296298989580288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Wish people and celebs fought so seriously for fellow humans who are suffering and oppressed.

 

[Shah]

This projects Imran Khan and Pakistan in a positive and human manner. We need more news like this so that Pakistan can improve its image.

 

[Major]

This projects Imran Khan and Pakistan in a positive and human manner. We need more news like this so that Pakistan can improve its image.

yeh, about that. Please go visit murgazhar zoo in Islamabad and look at the terrible conditions of the animals there.


Thank god the elephant is gone. Saw it twice in my life time in that cage he lived. I think his partner died and the animal stayed alone for some years. Last saw him back in june 2019.

 

[Greenstorm]

yeh, about that. Please go visit murgazhar zoo in Islamabad and look at the terrible conditions of the animals there.


Thank god the elephant is gone. Saw it twice in my life time in that cage he lived. I think his partner died and the animal stayed alone for some years. Last saw him back in june 2019.

Have you seen the lion there ? Went there many years ago and it was depressing to see such a vicious powerful beast caged in that gloomy well. The look on his face said it all.

 

[Major]

Have you seen the lion there ? Went there many years ago and it was depressing to see such a vicious powerful beast caged in that gloomy well. The look on his face said it all.

i dont remember, but it was in Lahore or in Islamab's Margazhar zoo, they ended up accidentally killing it.

they wanted to shift the animal out of the cage, so they tried to scare it with burning material, the poor animal suffocated due to it.

 

[Bewal Express]

If you look at the poor countries in the World, they have 2 things in common- sexual exploitation and abuse of children and abuse of animals. A society that treats its animals badly will never treats people any better.

On a visit to Gujar Khan( smallish Town a few miles from Pindi) with my family-me and my daughter noticed a donkey that looked sad and underfed. I decided to get some carrots and feed it, my daughter stroked the poor donkey. The owner looked at the both of us as some sort weirdos and so did some of the locals.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Country's becoming a joke ... Anything for a celebrity endorsement

 

[Shah]

Country's becoming a joke ... Anything for a celebrity endorsement

A celebrity endorsement from Cher is worth millions of dollars in positive public relations around the world, so this is a major coup for Imran Khan.
Kaavan's sad state of affairs worsened during the years of Zardari and N. Sharif. They did not care about animals or the ordinary people for that matter and only indulged in looting. Please give Imran Khan time to improve the country's image.

 

[Kriketer]

Country's becoming a joke ... Anything for a celebrity endorsement

Country is a joke for the jokers who will keep juggling their frustrations with IK. A beautiful deed which actually saves a life be it human or animal is something to be appreciated. Forget animals, majority don't give a d*mn about human life in countries like Pakistan so this gesture is a breath of fresh air.

As on the topic, Zoos should be banned globally. Beautiful species tortured and caged should halt. Entertainment at the expense of someone else's life is a terrible human practice which will hopefully only be left in the history books someday.

 

[Shah]

Thank you Kaavan for your service.
Thank you Cher for helping an animal in distress (remember the hadith of the woman who gave a thirsty dog some water and for that gesture her sins were forgiven).
Thank you Imran Khan for allowing Kaavan's transfer and for meeting Cher and projecting a more humane, considerate, friendly and merciful image about Pakistan and Pakistanis.

 

[El Generico]

Country's becoming a joke ... Anything for a celebrity endorsement

Yeah caring about animal rights , what a joke. Should have just let the elephant die in that cage.

 

[adil_909]

I've visited that zoo several times over the last few years, each time I've left feeling sad for the animals. Glad Kaavan is being moved, and hopefully the zoo is shut down completely. There's no need to have a zoo if the animals cannot be properly cared for

 

[CricketCartoons]

As on the topic, Zoos should be banned globally. Beautiful species tortured and caged should halt. Entertainment at the expense of someone else's life is a terrible human practice which will hopefully only be left in the history books someday.

How will kids learn about wild animals and birds, only though videos and toys? zoos are educational, and should be maintained in every major city. hardly any animal abuse compared to the millions killed every day. it is the woke culture to talk about animal rights while watching a movie which says no animals were harmed in its making, followed by meat at dinner.

 

[MenInG]

(CNN) — A 36-year-old overweight Asian elephant, who has spent much of his life languishing alone in captivity, is on his way to a sanctuary in Cambodia -- thanks in part to the efforts of American pop star Cher.

Pakistan's only Asian elephant has spent years in grim conditions in a controversial Islamabad zoo, where he suffered from a lack of exercise as well as cracked and malformed nails due to living in an inappropriate structure.

After Kaavan's partner died in 2012, he was dubbed the "world's loneliest elephant" -- and since 2016, Cher has been part of a huge social media campaign to relocate him.

Earlier this year, Islamabad's High Court closed the zoo over its poor conditions and gave animal welfare organization Four Paws permission to remove Kaavan, who Sri Lanka gifted to Pakistan 35 years ago, when he was a baby, according to the organization.

Read more on

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/cher-pakistan-elephant-kaavan-intl-hnk-scli/index.html

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

How will kids learn about wild animals and birds, only though videos and toys? zoos are educational, and should be maintained in every major city. hardly any animal abuse compared to the millions killed every day. it is the woke culture to talk about animal rights while watching a movie which says no animals were harmed in its making, followed by meat at dinner.

Obvious baiting is obvious however on a serious note, zoos are bad and should be seen as something of a horrific situation to a living creature. That said, I am ok with animals being used to facilitate meat though - that's a must.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Obvious baiting is obvious however on a serious note, zoos are bad and should be seen as something of a horrific situation to a living creature. That said, I am ok with animals being used to facilitate meat though - that's a must.

Using animals for meat or entertainment or education or medical trials is fine. only that animals should be saved from any torture as much as possible.

 

[Major]

A celebrity endorsement from Cher is worth millions of dollars in positive public relations around the world, so this is a major coup for Imran Khan.
Kaavan's sad state of affairs worsened during the years of Zardari and N. Sharif. They did not care about animals or the ordinary people for that matter and only indulged in looting. Please give Imran Khan time to improve the country's image.

? what has Imran done here?

Do you even know the elephants release was being stopped on purpose. THey had to take the issue to High Court. If someone deserves credit, its the highcourt of Pakistan, not Imran Khan for gods sake.

You talk about credit and discredit, zia, zardari, musafaraf, nawaz and imran are all to be blamed.

The zoo is still as it is.

 

[Major]

Yeah caring about animal rights , what a joke. Should have just let the elephant die in that cage.

? the country never cared about animal rights.

Kavvaan is being shifted because animal rights activists kept spreading on social media that how the animals were being mistreated in Murgazhar zoo. Cher would eventually find out about it and through social media would start a campaigne.
Some Pakistanis even went on to say they will not allow the elephant to move.

Case went to highcourt, highcourt gave verdict in May.

No PM, or anyone did anything, it was the highcourt who did this after Cherr and many other animal rights activist bought forward the complain of many years.

Right now, the zoo is still in bad shape, and animals are always being stolen and replaced to generate the numbers

 

[Major]

Country is a joke for the jokers who will keep juggling their frustrations with IK. A beautiful deed which actually saves a life be it human or animal is something to be appreciated. Forget animals, majority don't give a d*mn about human life in countries like Pakistan so this gesture is a breath of fresh air.

As on the topic, Zoos should be banned globally. Beautiful species tortured and caged should halt. Entertainment at the expense of someone else's life is a terrible human practice which will hopefully only be left in the history books someday.

There are zoos that look after the animals well and have good care takers aswell. You learn alot from zoo,s yes they also entertain but they are also used for scientific research aswell

 

[The Viper]

Kaavan, dubbed the "world's loneliest elephant", has arrived in Cambodia by cargo plane on Monday to start a new life at a sanctuary.

The 35-year-old elephant will now be in the company of fellow pachyderms after being alone in a Karachi zoo for years.

Kaavan's transfer has been the result of years of campaigning by Cher.

The If I Could Turn Back Time singer greeted the elephant at the airport of Cambodia's second-biggest city Siem Reap.

Kaavan, who earlier this year was diagnosed as being dangerously overweight at 250 KG (551lbs), arrived in a custom-made crate.

Animal rescue group Four Paws said Kaavan has another 90-minute drive ahead - and would most likely arrive at the sanctuary after nightfall.

The plight of the male Asian elephant, who has been alone since the death of his partner Saheli eight years ago, has captured the hearts of people worldwide.

In May, Pakistan's high court ordered the closure of the zoo where the animal spent most of his life

Once the campaign to have him freed caught Cher's attention she began campaigning and writing songs urging for his release.

The Mamma Mia star has spent the past few days with him in Pakistan.

The multi-award singer has been filming a documentary with the Smithsonian Channel about Kaavan's story, and said she was proud to be part of an effort to free him after 17 years of being confined to a shed.

https://news.sky.com/story/kaavan-e...ives-in-cambodia-to-start-a-new-life-12147126

 

[Shah]

? what has Imran done here?

Do you even know the elephants release was being stopped on purpose. THey had to take the issue to High Court. If someone deserves credit, its the highcourt of Pakistan, not Imran Khan for gods sake.

You talk about credit and discredit, zia, zardari, musafaraf, nawaz and imran are all to be blamed.

The zoo is still as it is.

What has Imran done here?
Imran Khan took the time from his busy schedule to meet Cher and thank her for her efforts. There was widespread coverage of this meeting in the west which projected a very positive image of Pakistan. In fact, Cher herself thanked Imran Khan.

 

[Major]

What has Imran done here?
Imran Khan took the time from his busy schedule to meet Cher and thank her for her efforts. There was widespread coverage of this meeting in the west which projected a very positive image of Pakistan. In fact, Cher herself thanked Imran Khan.

É

And under his govt, they made a zoo in Peshawar where many animals have died and the zoo has been a bust

 

[Firebat]

Cher calls for Thailand's Pata Zoo to rehome gorilla Bua Noi after 30 years living above shopping centre

Days after rescuing "the world's loneliest elephant" from Pakistan, singer Cher is attempting to rehome a gorilla living above a Thai shopping centre.

Bua Noi has lived at Pata Zoo on the top floor of a department store in western Bangkok since 1990.

She is the only gorilla in Thailand after her mate died many years ago.

Writing on Twitter, Cher appealed to residents of the Thai capital to help her in her mission to relocate her.

"Good People Of Bangkok I Know You Will Understand & Help Me Stop The Torturing Of Innocent Animals. It Is a Sin.Please Help Me Bring Peace to these Animals. & Free Them From Pata Zoo…Shopping Mall," she wrote in a series of tweets demanding change.

Cher has recently returned from Southeast Asia after successfully helping 36-year-old Asian elephant Kaavan begin a new life at a reserve in Cambodia following years on his own in a controversial Islamabad zoo.

Bangkok's Pata Zoo opened in the 1980s and has two floors housing a range of animals, reptiles, birds, and various species of monkey.

Representatives at Free The Wild, a charity the singer co-founded, have confirmed they have been in touch with the Thai government with the aim of getting Bua Noi relocated, along with a bonobo and an orangutan and her baby, which are also housed at the zoo.

"None of these animals appear to be being properly cared for and the reports we have received refer to the zoo as decrepit and overrun with rats and cockroaches," said charity co-founder Mark Cowne.

"No matter how much 'care and attention' is lavished on these animals by their owners and keepers, just by keeping them in such confines and conditions is purgatory for them in terms of their well-being and mental health.

"These primates are the closest living relatives to mankind and, when we wish to severely punish another of our own species, we put them into solitary confinement. The worst possible punishment for a human. And, even then, it is for a limited period.

"But these wild, wonderful, charismatic animals are in solitary confinement for life. In a zoo. On top of a shopping mall. That is far removed from the lowlands of the Congo."

Read more: https://news.sky.com/story/cher-cal...0-years-living-above-shopping-centre-12156774

 

[MenInG]

Animal activists have taken the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation to the court for its ‘inhuman’ and ‘negligent mistreatment’ of the four elephants at Karachi zoo and Safari Park: Malika, Sonu, Noor Jehan, and Madhubala.

People had shown concern about their health after a video of their feet went viral in January. International organisations asked the government to conduct their medical examination and ensure their proper care.

The petition, filed by Advocate Owais Awan and Pakistan Animal Welfare Society, has made the following demands:

Actions of the city government must be termed illegal, unlawful, and unconstitutional, and against the injunctions of Islam.
All four elephants must be immediately examined
Directions must be issued to ensure international standards of animal care for them
A committee must also be formed to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the Karachi zoo.
A two-member bench of the Sindh High Court, comprising Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Rashida Asad, heard the petition on Monday and issued notices to all the respondents, including KMC, Safari Park director, Zoo director, and Sindh government. The next hearing will be held on April 9.

About the elephants

All four elephants caught in the wild in Tanzania and “forcibly ripped from their mothers at an age where they would still be drinking milk”, according to the petitioners. KMC reportedly paid Rs40 million to a Pakistani animal trader to bring them to Karachi in 2009.

They were kept at Safari Park initially and then separated once again after Noor Jehan and Madhubala were sent to the Karachi zoo on May 20, 2010.

The animals were “put in a hostile environment in which the visitors tease animals by throwing articles, pelting stones, poking them or disturbing them with loud noises”, the petitioner said, adding that their enclosures are “ill-equipped, without proper company, proper food, water, medical treatment, healthcare facilities” or competent caregivers.

These elephants are in “pain, distress, and agony”, and have been showing signs of zoochosis as they “bob and sway their heads which points to the possibility of a neurologist issue due to the conditions of their captivity”.

Here are some features of their cages at KMC parks.

They are small cement cages
No access to natural habitat
Three legs of the elephants are chained at night
They stand in their own urine and faeces for 15 hours
These factors have led to foot problems among the elephants. Footrot has affected Malika so much that she can only stand on two of her feet at a time. She requires specific treatment which is “beyond the scope of the Safari Park”. Research reveals that foot problems are a leading cause of the deaths of elephants in captivity.

Wildlife veterinarian Dr Brett Bard and zoologist Marion Garai have said that the elephants have been living in “deplorable conditions and are in need of an immediate change”, the petitioner added.

Elephants denied medical examination
On February 2, 2021, the petitioner held a meeting with KMC and discussed with them calling elephant specialists Dr Frank Goertiz and Prof Dr Thomas Hildebrandt to Pakistan to examine the animals. Free The Wild, a UK-based organization, even started gathering funds for their visit after a verbal agreement by the city government. The KMC, however, turned back on its word and denied permission to the vets after raising concerns about the fundraising campaign.

The petitioners say that the medical assessment of the elephants is necessary as there are no experts in the field of elephant veterinary care in Pakistan.

https://www.samaa.tv/news/2021/03/kmc-taken-to-court-for-mistreatment-of-four-karachi-elephants/

 

[MenInG]

An elephant in the Karachi Zoo is finding it difficult to survive. Her condition is in shambles. With no focus on the distressed creature, matters have become worse.

Despite a surgery of Noor Jehan last year, her problem has worsened with no hope in sight.

Zoo officials, on the other hand, claim the elephant is being is treated from pain. The officials added the zoo was looking for interaction with the foreign animal rights group and sooner, the Four Paws – a global rights group – would visit the zoo.

Meanwhile, Marina Ivanova, project manager of Four Pawas, said while treatment is being offered to the elephant, this is not enough for her as she needs a natural environment where her suffering and trauma could automatically alleviate.

Previously, the Four Paws suggested the Zoo authorities to move the elephant to the Safari Park because it was suffering from noise pollution and lack of a healthy environment.

Zoo life dangerous for elephant

Noor Jehan’s quarter at the Karachi Zoo consists of a muddy yard and a smaller cage where she gave rides to children for Rs20. The space is barren — no shrubs, trees or watering holes.

Elephants, like humans, are social animals and live in herds. However Noor Jehan has lived her life with just one other fellow elephant.

The Paws chief mentioned that the basic five universal freedoms for animals should be given to the elephants. This includes a life that is full of choices about when, where and how they sleep, eat, bathe, socialise and spend their waking hours.

DUNYA

 

[MenInG]

KARACHI: The Karachi Zoo is back to its laid-back style of operation a day after the departure of Four Paws’ team, creating heightened concerns over the survival and well-being of ailing elephant Noor Jehan among animal activists, it emerged on Saturday.

The 17-year-old elephant currently experiencing initial signs of improvement has recently been described by foreign experts as “an intensive care patient” after they diagnosed her with a large hematoma in her abdomen, causing edema in the reproductive organs and blocking the passage of urine and stool.

On Saturday, a visit to the facility, which is being operated by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, showed that the ailing elephant was unable to timely receive her daily doses of medicines, her feed comprising tree branches, and was being shouted at and maltreated by the keepers.

 

[Colorblind Genius]

In Lahore zoo, the admins of the zoo staff has slaughtered and eaten rare goats and other animals.

Currently, many animals are starving to death as there is supposedly no funds to arrange food for them.

 

[MenInG]

In Lahore zoo, the admins of the zoo staff has slaughtered and eaten rare goats and other animals.

Currently, many animals are starving to death as there is supposedly no funds to arrange food for them.

Pakistan is not a good place to be an animal.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

They can’t feed their own people and they want to keep animals caged up… there should be no zoos in Pakistan. The animals have a better chance of survival in the wild than in a Pakistani zoo.

 

[MenInG]

The condition of ailing Noor Jehan, a 17-year-old elephant at the Karachi Zoo, has worsened after she fell into a pond inside her enclosure.

According to zoo officials, the animal reportedly fell into a cemented pond inside her cage at 7:30am on Thursday and was stuck there for hours after which a crane along with ropes and belts was used to lift her up.

Noor Jehan, who is already an intensive care patient, has been suffering from severe physical trauma for the past three months. The elephant’s muscle mass has shrunk, her spine appears disfigured and her legs appear crooked.

Last week, a group of vets from Four Paws — an international animal welfare organisation — visited Karachi to treat the elephant. During their short trip, they had deduced that the elephant had suffered an injury in the last few months leading to internal bleeding and a hematoma — a collection of blood within a confined tissue space — in her abdomen.

 

[Stewie]

Ya Allah Reham. Poor bezuban janwar. Pata nahi Kia Kia Zion hua hai is pe. Our nation seems destined for hell. We have zero humanity left.

If we could not feed these animals, they should have made efforts to save them somehow and send them somewhere. This is heart breaking.

 

[MenInG]

Ya Allah Reham. Poor bezuban janwar. Pata nahi Kia Kia Zion hua hai is pe. Our nation seems destined for hell. We have zero humanity left.

If we could not feed these animals, they should have made efforts to save them somehow and send them somewhere. This is heart breaking.

I just hope Cher sees this and comes over to rescue the animal.

 

[Champ_Pal]

Zoos must be banned and in their place safaris need be put in place. At least the animals can roam around freely.

 

[SalimBhai]

Pakistan is not a good place to be an animal.

Pakistan is not a good place to be a living creature

 

[MenInG]

As elephant Noor Jehan battled for life for the second consecutive day on Friday after her rescue from the pond in her enclosure, where she got trapped a day earlier, there was little alarm over the circumstances that forced her into the water body that proved to be a death trap for her.

Sources questioned why the officials concerned left the pond open in the enclosure, knowing well about Noor Jehan’s physical trauma she had been suffering from for months that had rendered her hind legs partially paralysed.

“While the zoo administration on account of its poor capacity and training was unaware about the nature of illness the 17-year-old elephant had, it was pretty much clear from her bad condition that an accident can happen anytime,” an official shared.

He expressed surprise that the zoo staff could never see the open threat in her enclosure. “This is strange that zoo officials never thought about closing this pond as it was a constant threat to the young elephant that we now know had been suffering from internal bleeding for over four months.”

The sources also asked as to why the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), responsible for running the zoo, had not instituted an inquiry yet into the incident which could have been easily prevented.

“This is tragic. Right now, Noor Jehan’s condition is so serious that it seems that all our recent efforts went into bringing her back to normal life with the help of Four Paws have gone into vain,” another official said, adding that if the KMC had made even half of the effort it’s making now, the incident could have been avoided.

The pond, the sources said, was the only source of water (often dirty as it wasn’t replaced regularly) freely available to the elephant. There was no clean water tub for her that she could drink from whenever she wanted.

“Elephants love to play in water, especially on summer days. I had seen Noor Jehan at times standing on the pond’s edge. It was sloppy and slippery and she might have fallen into the pond and got stuck as she couldn’t lift herself up,” Pakistan Animal Welfare Society (Paws) co-founder Mahera Omar said.

She has been working closely with Four Paws as well as with local experts for elephant welfare for several years.

The sources said the KMC had no plans to carry out an inquiry as it believed that there was no negligence involved in the incident and that the ailing elephant went into the pond herself and got stuck.

“The staff is looking after Noor Jehan round the clock. We are trying to give her the best care possible in the light of what’s being communicated to us by Four Paws,” KMC Administrator Dr Saif-ur-Rehman said when asked about holding an inquiry into the incident.

Dying hopes

At the zoo, there was no improvement in Noor Jehan’s condition. She was lying on the ground lifeless, as if she was waiting for her time. The spark in her eyes was no more.

“I am in doubt to be honest. But, miracles happen,” Dr Amir Khalil of Four Paws shared when asked about Noor Jehan’s survival chances.

The international team of experts — Dr Khalil in Egypt, Dr Frank Göritz and Prof Thomas Hildebrandt in South Africa, Dr Marina Ivanova in Austria and Mathias Otto in Germany — were in constant touch with local experts at the zoo, giving them tips on how to help save Noor Jehan.

“Her position was changed twice since yesterday with the help of a crane but she has shown no strength to stand on her feet,” Ms Omar said, adding that Noor Jehan was being given a lot of medication including multivitamins to boost her energy levels.

 

[MenInG]

Karachi administrator has formed a committee to ensure taking good care of the ailing Noor Jehan, a 17-year-old African elephant at Karachi Zoo.

The health of Noor Jehan had further deteriorated after she fell into a pond inside her enclosure.

The director Karachi Zoo said various tests including an ultrasound of Noor Jehan have been conducted, while she is being given multivitamins drip and medicines.

 

[MenInG]

Animal experts will decide in coming days whether an ailing elephant at the Karachi Zoo needs to be euthanised after it collapsed in its pen last week and has since failed to stand up, officials said.

The 17-year-old African elephant underwent emergency treatment for a tumour in Karachi on April 5, but collapsed days later and has since lain stricken on its side.

 

[MenInG]

The 152-year-old Karachi Zoo, for quite some time, has been in the headlines for being a "terrible place" for wild creatures, with many calling for shutting it down and moving the animals to sanctuaries.

The debate was sparked by the lingering misery of ailing elephant Noor Jehan that is currently being treated by foreign veterinarians for a variety of medical conditions that she reportedly developed due to months of inadequate care and treatment.

She is one of the last four captive elephants in Pakistan, all of them in Karachi, including two at the zoo.

A video of Noor Jehan showing her limping and struggling to stand apparently due to weakness went viral on social and mainstream media last week, sparking a public outcry.

Supporters of the call to shut down the zoo, including Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman and Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, have urged the government to shut down the zoo as it lacks the capacity to care for the wild animals.

"Karachi Zoo should be shut down because it is clearly beyond the capacity of KMC," Bakhtawar said in a tweet, referring to the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, which runs the zoological garden.

A hashtag #Free animals -- shut down Karachi zoo# remains a popular trend on Twitter, with many calling for the animals to be taken to sanctuaries to save their lives, as the zoo administration is seen as incapable of caring for them.

Others are calling for converting the zoo into a botanical garden, cautioning that a "land mafia" has long been eyeing the prime land to add more high-rises to an already growing concrete jungle in the metropolis.

Faiyaz Alam, a Karachi-based social activist who also served as a coordinator at Karachi Zoo from 2003 to 2004, said "greedy" land developers have long been eyeing the city’s prime land.

Express Tribune

 

[MenInG]

Ailing elephant Noor Jehan, who was under treatment after collapsing in its pen at Karachi Zoo around a week ago, passed away on Saturday, animal rights activist Mahera Omar confirmed.

“She (Jehan) rests in peace now,” said Omar, who had been closely working with vets treating the deceased pachyderm’s treatment.

The 17-year-old African elephant had undergone emergency treatment for a tumour in Karachi on April 5, but had collapsed days later. Since then, it had lain stricken on its side in her enclosure at the zoo.

DAWN

 

[MenInG]

Sindh High Court (SHC) advocate Imran Nazir on Sunday moved Garden police station to register a case into the death of ailing elephant Noor Jehan, ARY News reported.

As per details, the plea has been received by Karachi’s Garden police station against Administrator KMC and the director Karachi Zoo.

The application stated that Noor Jehan, 17-year-old African elephant died due to the ‘negligence’ of the officers and action should be taken against the officers.

 

[daytrader]

Pakistan to receive two elephants as gift from Sri Lanka
There is no elephant in Lahore's zoo after death of Suzi, who passed away in May 2017 and was only large mammal there

Sri Lanka has pledged to provide two elephants to Pakistan as a gesture of goodwill in the aftermath of the unfortunate demise of Noor Jehan, an African elephant in Karachi Zoo.

Honorary Consul General Yasin Joyia confirmed the development to Geo News on Sunday. As per Joyia, the Consul General's office has formally submitted a request to the Sri Lankan High Commissioner seeking the provision of these two majestic creatures.

However, it is worth noting that the Sri Lankan high court has previously issued a ban on the export of elephants to other countries.

Speaking with Geo News a day earlier, the diplomat said that Sri Lanka will be sending two female elephants to Pakistan — one for the Karachi Zoo and another for Lahore.

Joyia added that there is no elephant in Lahore's zoo after the death of Suzi, who passed away in May 2017 and was the only large mammal there.

He also expressed grief over the 17-year-old Noor Jehan's demise in Karachi that died after prolonged health issues exacerbated by reportedly a lack of care at the zoo.

The Sri Lankan envoy also said that the names of the elephants will be given by the government back home and that announcement of their arrival will be made in the next few days.

It should be noted that there has been an immense outcry over caging animals in the zoo by animal rights activists ever since Noor Jehan's story surfaced putting light on the lack of care she received amid her ailing health at the Karachi Zoo.

The Internet had strongly reacted to her painful end blaming “criminal negligence” by the zoo’s administration and their obliviousness towards animal rights.

The News PK

 

[Hitman]

Ailing elephant Noor Jehan, who was under treatment after collapsing in its pen at Karachi Zoo around a week ago, passed away on Saturday, animal rights activist Mahera Omar confirmed.

“She (Jehan) rests in peace now,” said Omar, who had been closely working with vets treating the deceased pachyderm’s treatment.

The 17-year-old African elephant had undergone emergency treatment for a tumour in Karachi on April 5, but had collapsed days later. Since then, it had lain stricken on its side in her enclosure at the zoo.

DAWN

Really sad news. As an animal lover, it really hurts me. May she RIP!

 

[daytrader]

Karachi zookeepers to face action for negligence
Dr Amir Khalil, an expert at Four Paws, an international animal welfare organisation, arrives in Karachi; Noor Jehan buried at Karachi Zoo

Karachi Administrator Dr Saifur Rehman has promised to take action against negligent Karachi Zoo officials in light of the post-mortem report of the ill-fated elephant Noor Jehan who died due to multiple health issues.

Speaking to Geo News, Dr Saifur Rehman said samples of Noor Jahan’s heart, kidney and various organs are being sent to Lahore today for analysis.

The elephant’s post-mortem was completed yesterday after she was buried at the zoo’s premises.

The official said that the report is expected in a week and the government will take action against those responsible for the miserable death of Noor Jehan.

The critically ill 17-year-old elephant had fallen into a pond this month and been unable to get up without help. Multiple attempts to make Noor Jehan stand on her feet failed and she died on Saturday.

Noor Jehan’s death has sparked criticism of the country’s zoos with people demanding to shut these.

‘Heartbreaking’
Four Paws, an international animal welfare organisation advising local and international veterinarians on her treatment, lamented the “heartbreaking” death of Noor Jehan in a statement.

"After fighting for 9 days, she succumbed to her critical condition. She spent too long lying on the ground – a life-threatening situation for elephants."

Four Paws veterinarian Amir Khalil, who is in Karachi, said it was "heartbreaking that she had to die at only 17 years old when she could have had many more years". Noor Jehan was an African elephant, whose average lifespan is 60 to 70 years.

...
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1...mised-against-negligent-karachi-zoo-officials

 

[Colorblind Genius]

Karachi zookeepers to face action for negligence
Dr Amir Khalil, an expert at Four Paws, an international animal welfare organisation, arrives in Karachi; Noor Jehan buried at Karachi Zoo

Karachi Administrator Dr Saifur Rehman has promised to take action against negligent Karachi Zoo officials in light of the post-mortem report of the ill-fated elephant Noor Jehan who died due to multiple health issues.

Speaking to Geo News, Dr Saifur Rehman said samples of Noor Jahan’s heart, kidney and various organs are being sent to Lahore today for analysis.

The elephant’s post-mortem was completed yesterday after she was buried at the zoo’s premises.

The official said that the report is expected in a week and the government will take action against those responsible for the miserable death of Noor Jehan.

The critically ill 17-year-old elephant had fallen into a pond this month and been unable to get up without help. Multiple attempts to make Noor Jehan stand on her feet failed and she died on Saturday.

Noor Jehan’s death has sparked criticism of the country’s zoos with people demanding to shut these.

‘Heartbreaking’
Four Paws, an international animal welfare organisation advising local and international veterinarians on her treatment, lamented the “heartbreaking” death of Noor Jehan in a statement.

"After fighting for 9 days, she succumbed to her critical condition. She spent too long lying on the ground – a life-threatening situation for elephants."

Four Paws veterinarian Amir Khalil, who is in Karachi, said it was "heartbreaking that she had to die at only 17 years old when she could have had many more years". Noor Jehan was an African elephant, whose average lifespan is 60 to 70 years.

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https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1...mised-against-negligent-karachi-zoo-officials

They will probably eat it - you know, gurda kalaiji katta katt.

 

[MenInG]

Madhubala — an 18-year-old elephant now in solitary confinement at the zoo after losing her partner Noor Jehan in one of the most painful ways last month — suffers from a potentially fatal infection, sources told Dawn on Saturday.

The infection, they said, was detected in blood samples analysed by a team of experts at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore.

Both Noor Jehan and Madhubala, along with a pair of elephants currently housed at the Safari Park, were brought together to Karachi 14 years ago from Tanzania where they were caught and separated from their mother at a very young age.

“She seemed to have caught the infection from Noor Jehan whose postmortem analysis indicated that she had the same disease, apart from other serious health complications,” disclosed a zoo official, requesting anonymity.

DAWN