KARACHI: Seven-member team of international experts of Four Paws started treatment of Noor Jehan ailing elephant at Karachi Zoo.

Team of vets held meeting with Karachi Administrator Dr Syed Saifur Rahman and zoo management. 17-year-old African elephant Noor Jehan underwent surgical examination.

Karachi Metropolitan Corporation press statement said that team arrived in Pakistan on request of Sindh government to provide urgent medical assistance to sick elephant. Two more experts are expected to arrive in time for examination, they said.

Their visit follows an order by Sindh High Court last year for Four Paws to assess health of animals after local animal rights activists had raised concerns in court about their well-being.

Four African elephants arrived in Pakistan in 2009. Noor Jehan and Madhubala had been moved to Karachi Zoo, while Malika and Sonu had been taken to Safari Park.

International vets “nearly lost” 17-year-old elephant here after knocking her out to perform diagnostic tests, but they now hope to treat multiple issues that have left her crippled for months.

Noor Jehan has been barely able to walk around her enclosure at Karachi Zoo because of huge growth between her back legs, sparking concern from keepers and visitors.

 “It was risky procedure.” A huge crane was deployed on Wednesday to lift 3.5-ton pachyderm after had been tranquillised. Ultrasound and other tests suggest Noor Jehan has huge hematoma inside her abdomen, as well as issues with her intestines. “It is clear Noor Jehan is in serious pain and suffering,” Khalil said. “There is treatment for this, it needs some luck and it needs lot of work in coming days.”

Last year a zoo in eastern city of Lahore called off plans to auction 12 lions to private individuals after overbreeding, saying it would instead create new enclosures for big cats.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 06 2023

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