KARACHI: Ailing African elephant ‘Noor Jahan’ has lost her life, Karachi Administrator Saifur Rehman said on Saturday as efforts to help her were futile.
“The elephant was ill with fever since yesterday. All possible efforts were made to save it,” the administrator said in a statement about the animal.
In his last days, Noor Jahan was stung by drips and watered regularly to cool him down.
The administrator said that foreign doctors from Four Paws International recently treated the 17-year-old when he mourned the death of Noor Jahan.
Talking to reporters, Karachi Zoo Director Kunwar Ayub said that the elephant – whose health had been failing since November last year, died today at 11:15 am.
The zoo director added that the Four PAWS team is on its way to Pakistan, and will conduct an autopsy on the 17-year-old’s body.
“After the post-mortem examination, we will decide on cremation,” he said while appreciating the efforts of the Four PAWS team in treating the elephant.
In a statement, the zoo management said that Noor Jahan underwent an operation a few months ago and after the latest operation, he faced difficulty in walking.
“A few days ago Noor Jahan was sitting in the pond, but could not get up again,” added the management.
The 17-year-old African elephant underwent emergency treatment for a tumor in Karachi on April 5, but collapsed a few days later and has been lying on its side ever since.
Animal rights activists in Pakistan and abroad shared Noor Jahan’s sad plight on social media, calling for the zoo to be closed.
Four PAWS said in a series of tweets that despite all their tireless efforts and the endless work of the on-site team, they could not get her back on her feet. “She fought for days but succumbed to her critical condition.”
With a broken heart we must inform you that #NoorJehan passed away this morning. 💔 After an unfortunate incident that left her unable to leave the pool in her enclosure, Noor Jehan was unable to stand up on her own.
— FOUR PAWS (@fourpawsint) April 22, 2023
📸: PAWS | Mahera Omar pic.twitter.com/fOu1V3NMGB
The organization recommended that Madhubala — the second elephant in the zoo — be moved to a species-appropriate place as soon as possible to at least give him a chance at a better life.
“Noor Jahan’s tragic story is a reminder of the suffering that captive wild animals endure in Pakistan and around the world. We hope that the authorities in Pakistan will take this as an example and protect captive wild animals in the future.” will do better.”
Pakistan’s zoos are often accused of neglecting animal welfare, and in 2020 a court ordered the closure of the country’s capital’s only facility due to its dilapidated condition.
In 2019, the Islamabad Zoo was closed following international condemnation over its treatment of an Asian elephant named Kawan.
Kawan was later flown to the airport for retirement in Cambodia, led by American pop star and actor Cher, and performed by Four Paws.
