ISLAMABAD:Protecting wild animals is of utmost importance, captivating them in an artificial territory or mini zoo is merely an existential threat to their survival on earth. They play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems and contribute to the biodiversity of our planet.
FOUR PAWS veterinarian and head of the emergency mission Dr.Amir Khalil said this while exclusively giving an interview on Skype from Egypt to reporter in a Program titled ‘Islamabad Updates’ hosted by Sahar Khan here on Thursday.
He explained his Organisation Four Paws role which is the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them. Founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Dungler and friends, the organisation advocates for a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding.
He said that wild animals have intrinsic value and deserve to exist in their natural environments without human interference. We establish and operate sanctuaries worldwide, in which wild animals rescued from abusive captivity find a species-appropriate home.
Moreover, FOUR PAWS takes a problem-solving approach and offers animals in distress swift and direct aid. Our aim is to achieve and establish changes in politics, society and the economy that will benefit animals – through projects, campaigns and education. Our work is based on scientific expertise, sound research and intensive national and international lobbying, he added.
While shedding light on the past memories of his last mission in Pakistan Karachi, He revealed that the Global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS is deeply saddened that 17-year-old elephant Noor Jehan at Karachi Zoo has passed away. Her death follows an unfortunate incident on April 13 that left her unable to leave the pool in her enclosure for hours.
After the local team was able to pull her out under the remote supervision of FOUR PAWS, Noor Jehan was unable to stand up on her own despite multiple attempts to help her. Already weakened from a serious condition she was recovering from, the elephant did not have the strength to rise once more. After fighting for nine days, she succumbed to her critical condition. She spent too long lying on the ground – a life-threatening situation for elephants.
Noor Jehan’s life hung in the balance after she was pulled out of the pool. She could not stand up on her own even after days of supporting her with a crane. As a result, the responsible authorities in Karachi set up a committee of national and international experts and veterinarians.
He told that the committee included members of the FOUR PAWS expert team that had previously treated Noor Jehan and was given the mandate to advise and recommend on how to proceed with Noor Jehan’s future. The ultimate decision on Noor Jehan’s future would have been taken by the authorities. Before they could come to a decision, Noor Jehan sadly died.
He told with heavy heart “When we left Karachi after our initial health assessment of Noor Jehan, we were hopeful about her recovery. We were in constant contact with the local team after she got stuck in the pool. It is heartbreaking that she had to die at only 17 years old when she could have had many more years.
He urged that Karachi Zoo does not fulfil international standards and is not equipped to take care of elephants, especially when the animals need specialized veterinary care. Therefore, Madhubala, the healthy elephant remaining at the zoo, must be relocated to a more species-appropriate place as soon as possible to at least give her a chance at a better life,” says FOUR PAWS veterinarian Dr Amir Khalil.
Mission leader Dr Amir Khalil further told reporter that while working towards a better future for the Karachi Elephants, FOUR PAWS returned to Karachi.
Pakistan should be prepared for the relocation of Madhubala, the lone African Elephant at Karachi Zoo. After a crucial meeting with Murtaza Wahab, the newly elected Mayor of Karachi lead FOUR PAWS veterinarian Dr Amir Khalil was given the approval to start preparing to relocate Madhubala from Karachi Zoo to Safari Park where she will be reunited with Malika and Sonia from whom she was separated from 14 years ago. Following the death of her partner Noor Jehan earlier this year, Madhubala has been in solitary confinement but now, things are looking up.
Mission Head further said that Mayor Murtaza Wahab has promised he will do all he can to ensure a better future for the three elephants and will support FOUR PAWS in finding sustainable solutions for the relocation of elephant Madhubala given green light by the Mayor Karachi.
These solutions include considerable improvements to the elephant enclosure at Safari Park. In collaboration with the Taskforce for Wildlife in Captivity/Zoo/Safari Parks in Karachi, an advisory body appointed by the Government of Sindh, measures will be undertaken to rework the elephant enclosure to make it a more species-appropriate habitat.
These measures include the expansion of its grounds, inclusion of waterbodies, enrichment features and safety measures, as well as training of on-ground and management staff to create a space in which Madhubala, Malika and Sonia can grow and prosper.
He also briefed that In November 2021, the Sindh High Court in Pakistan called on FOUR PAWS to assess the well-being of four African elephants at Karachi Zoo and Karachi Safari Park in Pakistan. All females, between the ages of 16 and 17, are the last known captive elephants in the country.
The assessment found all elephants in need of proper diet, enrichment, and medical treatment. FOUR PAWS also strongly recommended that all four elephants be reunited at Karachi Safari Park.
The elephants – caught in the wild at a young age – came to Pakistan together in 2009 and were separated after their arrival. Noor Jehan and Madhubala were moved to Karachi Zoo while Malika and Sonu were brought to Karachi Safari Park.
Our focus now is to prepare everything for the urgently needed relocation and end the risk of Madhubala being kept in solitary confinement for any longer than is necessary. We will also be supporting the Task Force in future-proofing Karachi Safari Park to better suit the needs of the elephants.
Madhubala’s relocation to Safari Park and reunion with her family sends a powerful signal that Pakistan is taking a step towards improving animal welfare in the country.He told.
He said that FOUR PAWS returns to Pakistan after previous arrangements concerning Madhubala’s future were obsolete due to a change in government. The new government in place will ultimately decide on the future of the elephants in Karachi.
Therefore, the meetings with the new authorities and other stakeholders are crucial for the relocation of Madhubala.
The proposed relocation of elephant Madhubala will bring the era of elephants in Pakistan Zoos to an end. The move will also mark the beginning of a species-appropriate life for Madhubala, something that sadly came too late to help her sister Noor Jehan who passed away in April.
While responding to another question, FourPaws Mission Head Dr. Amir Khalil revealed the layers of the story of ‘Kavaan’ elephant survival who was rescued by his qualitative efforts a few years ago at Marghazar Zoo Islamabad , that for over three decades, Pakistan’s only Asian elephant ‘Kaavan’ has been confined to an inadequate enclosure of the Marghazar Zoo in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Kaavan’ was born in 1985 in Srilanka, and at the age of 1, gifted to Pakistan. He endured almost 35 years of his life in chains at Islamabad Zoo. . At six years old, Kaavan was joined by a mate, elephant Saheli from Bangladesh. The two elephants spent the next 22 years together, until tragically, Saheli developed an infection from the cuts caused by her chains and died in 2012. ‘Kaavan’ showed signs of stress and aggression and caretakers of the zoo struggled to keep the large elephant under control. Chained in isolation and in poor condition, Kaavan became the world’s loneliest elephant.
‘Kaavan’ was isolated and suffering, a student in Pakistan, Dr Samar Khan, heard about the elephant and was joined by a large community of Pakistani’s to share his plight, which triggered what began a long fight to free him from his misery! American superstar, Cher and her organisation, Free The Wild, began campaigning to help Kaavan. Finally, in 2020, the Islamabad High Court issued a decision for the immediate relocation of all the animals, FOUR PAWS was asked to step in.
Rescued from Marghazar Zoo in Islamabad, ‘Kaavan’ was brought to Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary and has a new lease on life. Kaavan enjoys the freedom of a 30-acre forest, with many ponds and watery play areas. He lives life now mostly on his own terms, with the dignity that befits an elephant.Now, almost three years on, Kaavan is thriving at the Kulen Prum Tep Wildlife Sanctuary in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Dr Amir Khalil has highlighted at the occasion some other incredible animal welfare milestones which had been achieved most recently; The sustainable campaigns and projects of FOUR PAWS focus on companion animals including stray dogs and cats, farm animals and wild animals – such as bears, big cats and orangutans – kept in inappropriate conditions as well as in disaster and conflict zones. With offices in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the UK, the USA and Vietnam as well as sanctuaries for rescued animals in eleven countries, FOUR PAWS provides rapid help and long-term solutions. It works to preserve the environment in which the animals live. Volunteer with organizations in particular areas in order to restore native forests, grasslands, and coastal ecosystems by planting native species, manually removing invasive plant species, and taking out old fences.
He told that Emergency animal rescues in delicate situations are no new territory for FOUR PAWS.Our team have already worked in countries such as Libya or Egypt in the past. More recently, in 2016 and 2019 the FOUR PAWS team evacuated three zoos in the Gaza Strip. In 2017, FOUR PAWS rescued 13 animals from an amusement park near Aleppo in Syria as well as the last two surviving bears and lions from a zoo in Mosul, Iraq.
In January 2020, photos of famished lions in a zoo in Sudan circulated the globe and immediately caught our attention. Due to a lack of financial resources, the animals were left to starve. So we went there to help them.The FOUR PAWS team consisting of international wildlife experts and veterinarians evaluated the situation on-site, making sure the lions are properly diagnosed, treated and able to recover from their ordeal.
He recalled that we were shocked by the pictures of the gaunt lions. It was clear to us that we had to act quickly because the animals would not last much longer. As soon as we were on site, we could provide the severely malnourished lions with proper food and medical care. At the end of 2022, lioness ‘Kandaka’ and lion ‘Mansour’ finally arrived at Al Ma’wa for Nature and Wildlife. Since then, the former starving lions from Sudan have settled well at their new species-appropriate home. In 2020, lioness Kandaka was only skin and bones, slowly starving to death in the Al Qurashi Family Park Zoo in Sudan.
Dr Amir described that After years of efforts and multiple challenges, it finally happened! Kandaka and Mansour were physically able to be transferred to Al Ma’wa for the special treatment and rehabilitation they so urgently need. In a joint collaboration between FOUR PAWS and Princess Alia Foundation (PAF), and with the support of Sudan Animal Rescue (SAR) and Sudanese Wildlife Authority, we were able to transfer the two Sudanese lions and bring them into their new species-appropriate home, the Al Ma’wa for Nature and Wildlife sanctuary in Jordan.