Karachi, 27 November 2024 – After the successful relocation of elephant Madhubala from Karachi Zoo to Karachi Safari Park on 26 November the ideal outcome has happened and turned 20-million-metropole Karachi in jubilee: elephant Madhubala has already been socialised with her two sisters Malika and Sonia only a few hours in their vicinity. Global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS and KMC (Karachi Metropolitan Corporation) are celebrating this beautiful and important moment and urge other countries where elephants are still mistreated for entertainment purposes to follow-suit in their improvements of national animal welfare legislation.

Madhubala entered her outdoor enclosure carefully and walked a few steps, only to slowly turn her head backwards to bring her old tyre, an emotional souvenir from her previous home at Karachi Zoo that had been brought by the FOUR PAWS team. After a short snack of carrots and apples provided by the caretakers, the pachyderm explored her outdoor enclosure, under the gaze of the astouned observers.

“As soon as released from the transport crate, we realised that Madhubala was feeling very comfortable and could already sense the closeness of her two sisters. None of us expected her to be so eager to stretch out her trunk towards her two sisters,” says mission leader and FOUR PAWS veterinarian Dr Amir Khalil.

The reunion everyone has been waiting for 

Countless local observers, diplomatic representatives from Europe, media outlets and the FOUR PAWS expert team celebrated Madhubala entering the joint family enclosure. She had just caught her two sisters drinking water at a small pond. Madhubala again brought her tyre and placed it in front of them like a gift. Being social animals, the sisters returned the gesture by inviting Madhubala for a welcome drink at their pond.

The health condition of the three elephants will be observed by the head veterinarian Dr. Frank Göritz from the Leibnitz Institute of Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), who has been involved in the treatment of the elephants since 2021.

History of the Karachi elephants

The four African elephants, Madhubala, Noor Jehan, Sonia and Malika, came to Pakistan in 2009 after they were caught in the wild at a young age. Arriving in Karachi, they were separated, Madhubala and Noor Jehan were brought to Karachi Zoo, their sisters, Sonia and Malika, came to Karachi Safari Park. In November 2021, the Sindh High Court in Pakistan asked FOUR PAWS to assess the wellbeing of the four elephants. They were all found in need of proper diet, enrichment, and medical treatment. Noor Jehan and Madhubala also needed dental surgery due to infections caused by broken tusks. Following the death of Noor Jehan, Madhubala was Pakistan’s last captive African elephant in a zoo.

Background

One mandatory criterion for the relocation of Madhubala to Karachi Safari Park was the improvement of the living conditions for all three elephants to international standards. FOUR PAWS provided recommendations and executed the effective implementation of the required improvements. Going forward, an independent task force will monitor the continued maintenance and fulfillment of the elephants’ species-appropriate living conditions. The designated 5.2-acre sanctuary area within Karachi Safari Park underwent extensive improvements to prepare for the relocation of Madhubala. The elephant enclosures now have water elements for bathing, skin care and thermoregulation. Additionally, enrichments such as hay nets, varying substrates like soil, sand, clay, and sawdust, are provided for Madhubala to dust bathe, as well as a place to hide novel items to encourage foraging. The area is secured by elephant-proof fencing.