18 August 2022 – Vets and experts from the global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS are providing medical treatment for last four captive elephants in Pakistan.

The international team provides urgent pain relief for four female African elephants in two zoos from 16-19 August.

Upon the invitation of the Pakistani authorities, FOUR PAWS performed a complicated and unique major surgery on two elephants, Madhubala and Noor Jehan, in Karachi Zoo. Madhubala in particular was suffering from severe pain caused by a broken tusk infection.

The other two elephants in question are at Karachi Safari Park. Malika and Sonu received treatment for their feet and nails.

FOUR PAWS supports the local authorities and elephant caretakers to ensure all four elephants can live a happy life in Pakistan.

FOUR PAWS vet Dr Amir Khalil lead a team of veterinarians and wildlife experts, including Dr Frank Göritz and Dr Thomas Hildebrandt from the Leibnitz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), who headed the surgery, and Dr Marina Ivanova from FOUR PAWS.

16 and 17-year-old Noor Jehan and Madhubala at Karachi Zoo were suffering from severe dental problems. Instead of a traditional approach, the team used a less invasive, unique new technique that requires less complicated aftercare, given the conditions at the zoo. They used specially designed drills and endodontic burs along other dental instruments.

Elephants Malika and Sonia at Karachi Safari Park suffered from cracked and overgrown nails and footpads and abscesses which the team treated and provided aftercare instructions to the local team.

The experts provided an assessment on the wellbeing and health condition of the elephants in November 2021.

“Our recommendation includes that all four elephants should be reunited at Karachi Safari Park once they have recovered from the surgery. Also, they need a species-appropriate diet and enrichment must be provided. We are also helping to train the local caretakers so they can take the best care of the elephants. We are happy to help with any further improvements to implement our recommendations,” adds Dr Khalil.

Animal welfare efforts in Pakistan

CEO of FOUR PAWS Josef Pfabigan stated, “At FOUR PAWS, we rescue animals, and in doing so also reveal systemic problems and legal shortcomings and raise awareness for why these issues matter. In Pakistan, recent developments are exciting: The Islamabad High Court in Pakistan has recognized that animals have natural legal rights. This means that they are entitled to protection under the nation’s Constitution. Pakistan has recently also agreed to stop the import of elephants into the country. FOUR PAWS had previously advised the Ministry of Climate Change to not allow any new elephants coming to Pakistan. This shows what strategic policy work and good working relations between animal welfare experts such as FOUR PAWS and local officials can achieve. We do hope that this good cooperation can be continued and extended to other animal welfare issues.”