Tag: animal rights

  • Bakhtawar Bhutto, Ayesha Omar, celebrities, slam Karachi Zoo after Noor Jehan suffers fall

    Bakhtawar Bhutto, Ayesha Omar, celebrities, slam Karachi Zoo after Noor Jehan suffers fall

    Trigger warning: distressing video

    Karachi Zoo’s ailing elephant Noor Jehan suffered another setback on Thursday after she fell into a concrete pond inside her pen. According to Karachi Times, the elephant had to be pulled out with the help of cranes and was not moving much after that.

    Speaking to Geo News, Safari Park Director Kanwar Ayub said that the unfortunate accident happened on Thursday night, leading to worsening of Noor Jehan’s pain. He further added that her treatment was still being supervised by foreign doctors.

    Activists and celebrities slammed the Zoo’s management authorities for mishandling animals and the overall poor state of the facility.

    Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari shared a video of Noor Jehan in distress on Twitter, demanding that the zoo should be shut down because of it’s inability to provide proper facilities to animals.

    “#KarachiZoo should be shut down because it is clearly beyond the capacity of KMC.”

    Actress Ayesha Omar too posted a video clip of Noor Jehan on her Instagram page, asking her followers about how could they help in ensuring the elephant receives proper treatment.

    Actor Yashma Gill shared a video clip on her Instagram stories of Noor Jehan, and wrote that for the sake of Ramzan, the zoo needs to shut down.

    “Please for the sake of this holy month join hands in this cause and help in BOYCOTTING this zoo culture!”

    Nadia Jamil prayed that the elephant’s critical condition is ressolved as she shared a clip of Noor Jehan after her surgery

    Veteran actress Simi Rahael shared a tweet that slammed Karachi Zoo’s administration for the poor condition of Noor Jehan, and in the caption she shared the hashtag #banzoo and #stopanimalcruelty

    International animal relief organization Four Paws also posted updates from their Twitter account, stating that they had coordinated all night with the local team to try and save the elephant’s life.

    Earlier, Four Paws had flown its veterinarians to Karachi to operate on Noor Jehan after her condition had gotten worse. In a press release, they had written that in 2021, the organisation had strongly recommended that both elephants should be shifted from Karachi Zoo as the facilities there do not comply with international standards. However, no such measures were taken by the authorities.

    On April 5, Dr Amir Khalil, the head of Four Paws, revealed that the surgery on Noor Jehan had been successful, hoping that authorities would comply with the organization by relocating both elephants, Noor Jehan and Madhubala, to a proper facility equipped to handle the animals.

    On April 7, Times of Karachi announced that the Director of Karachi Zoo, Khalid Hashmi, had been suspended due to negligence and mismanagement which had led to Noor Jehan’s illness.

  • Four Paws has reached Pakistan to treat elephant Noor Jehan

    International animal welfare group Four Paws has reached Karachi on April 4 to examine and begin treatment of ailing elephant, Noor Jehan. In a press release posted on their website, Four Paws revealed that since 2021, they have been strongly recommending that both elephants Noor Jehan and Madhubala are shifted from Karachi Zoo, as the facility does not comply with international standards of providing habitable living conditions for animals.

    “However, no such measures to relocate them have been taken,” the post read.

    The team was led by the head of the organization, Dr Amir Khalil, along with  Dr Frank Göritz and Prof Dr Thomas Hildebrandt from the Leibnitz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), and Dr Marina Ivanova from FOUR PAWS. Khalil spoke to journalists about Noor Jehan’s condition yesterday, as reported by Dawn and Express Tribune.

    He said that Jehan needs a detailed medical examination which includes endoscopy, ultrasound and X-rays, in order to provide proper insight into her condition.

    “We don’t know what went wrong with her. But, her condition has deteriorated very fast within a few weeks. She has got swelling on her hind legs as well as genital parts and she could barely walk. Right now, she has a 50-50 chance for survival,” he said.

    Khalil went on to reveal that their team was setting up a crane, wench and a fire brigade to help the animal remain stable and upright during surgery:

    “Our greatest concern is not to let the animal fall down. We fear that if Noor Jehan falls down, she it will not get up again. We will find out tomorrow whether it’s a fracture, trauma or an infection.”

    Today, the Karachi Metropolitan Center (KMC) spoke to DAWN and revealed that they were ready to facilitate the team in every way to help the elephants, and were making preparations to send them to Safari Park:

    “We are with Four Paws. All departments are ready to arrange any logistics needed for medical procedures. We are also making preparations to shift both zoo elephants to Safari Park within a month as per experts’ recommendation,” said Dr. Saif-ur-Rehman, Karachi Administrator.

    Rehman went on to add that Noor Jehan had been suffering from a neurological deficiency for the past two or three months which had impacted her hind legs. The government did not have the facilities for the treatment Noor Jehan needed in Pakistan which is why the international group was approached to help diagnose her illness and provide a solution.

    “The kind of treatment Noor Jehan requires isn’t available in Pakistan. So, we approached the international group to help us diagnose her illness and suggest and offer treatment, if possible,” Dr Rehman said.

  • Govt ministers come forward to aid elephant Noor Jehan, address poor facilities at Karachi Zoo

    Social media got together to raise its voice for Noor Jehan, one of the elephants at Karachi Zoo, who was suffering from a joint and bone disease which had left her hind legs completely paralyzed. Pictures of the distressed elephant emerged on Twitter, prompting animal rights activists to demand that the government help with proper treatment and for her to be sent to an elephant sanctuary.

    Government officials have responded with Salman Sufi, Head of Prime Minister of Pakistan’s Strategic Reforms, and Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah pledging to provide immediate medical aid, as well as monitor reports of poor facilities at Karachi Zoo.

    Sufi shared a screenshot of Noor Jehan’s medical test on Twitter, writing that Karachi administration was keeping in touch with Four Paws, a global animal welfare organization that focuses on improving the living conditions of animals.

    “Thank you to everyone who keeps raising voice for #NoorJehan Her tests are being conducted regularly and so is the checkup. Karachi administration has assured of their cooperation with four paws. Team from Punjab wildlife is also arriving this week. We will keep pursuing.”

    The Current reached out to Sufi to ask how Noor Jehan is being provided with medical treatment and his response was:

    “Four Paws have been invited to assess the elephant and Wildlife Punjab has also been sent to assist them. Safari Park Karachi special room is also being constructed for her and regular tests are also being conducted.”

    When asked about whether the government is taking action on reports of negligence, especially food supply because of which many animals and birds were reportedly left to starve, Sufi said:

    “We are monitoring those reports and have requested the Karachi administration. Government of Sindh is actively pursuing this issue as well.”

    In regards to the vocal call by activists to shift Noor Jehan to an elephant sanctuary, Sufi responded that they would be following the doctor’s orders on what is best for the elephant.

    Nasir Hussain Shah visited Karachi Zoo on Monday, where he stated that an inquiry regarding the reports that food supply for animals had been cut off had been initiated and revealed that no such issues were found. He said that a team of doctors is arriving from Vienna. The government is in contact with them to provide the elephant with all the resources she needs.

    Yesterday, The News reported that Sindh Governor Muhammad Kamran Khan Tessori made a visit to Karachi Zoo, where he told reporters that allegations regarding political support to the zoo staff was false, and action shall be taken against anyone found guilty for spreading this rumor. Moreover, Tessori also revealed that the government was holding an inquiry over the treatment and care of Noor Jehan.

  • Karachi child dies after eating poisonous sweets placed to kill dogs

    Karachi child dies after eating poisonous sweets placed to kill dogs

    A two-year-old child died on Monday night in Karachi’s Korangi Town after swallowing poisonous sweets left by local authorities to kill stray dogs in the area.

    Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Korangi has confirmed the incident, saying, “One of the children breathed his last while being shifted to a hospital while five others are said to be in a critical situation.”

    As per the statement of the deceased’s father, his son picked up sweets from a motorbike placed in the local area. “It belonged to a local government employee,” he added.

    Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab has taken notice of the death and instructed the police to conduct an investigation.

    On November 13, the Islamabad High Court during a hearing against “brutally murdering” and “poisoning” of stray dogs in Islamabad, questioned the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Islamabad Wildlife and Management.

  • ‘I fear for my life,’ animal rights activist requests President, PPP chairman for help

    ‘I fear for my life,’ animal rights activist requests President, PPP chairman for help

    Animal rights activist and film-maker Mahera Omar, who had recently raised awareness about the situation of four elephants at the Karachi Zoological Gardens and Safari Park, has allegedly received threats due to her activism. She has sought protection from the police.

    “So, some goons showed up at my neighbourhood the other day asking for ‘the madam who has been going to the zoo’. This was bound to happen. Months after we filed a petition in Sindh High Court for an independent medical assessment of the Karachi elephants, my life is
    in danger,” the activist wrote in a tweet from the handle of Pakistan Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).

    She is the co-founder of the animal rights organisation, which a few months ago had filed a petition in Sindh High Court to draw the attention towards the plight of elephants at Karachi Zoo.

    In another tweet, Mahera Omar wrote: “The goons presumably saw me at the zoo with the Four paws veterinary team and now I’m their target. I fear for my family, and for my own life.”

    She continued by adding, ” I request President Arif Alvi my local elected member of the National Assembly, and Bilawal Bhutto Zardar ito look into the matter.”

    Speaking to Dawn, Mahera said, “I am living in fear…it was very difficult to help animals. And if anyone tries to draw attention towards the plight of animals, she/he has to face consequences.” She added that the security in her area has been increased.

  • ‘Sher bacha letay’: Yasir Hussain tells Maryam Nawaz, Ayesha Omar expresses grief

    ‘Sher bacha letay’: Yasir Hussain tells Maryam Nawaz, Ayesha Omar expresses grief

    A rare white lion died, reportedly after his lungs stopped working, at the Karachi Zoo on Wednesday. A representative for the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) confirmed the lion’s death, saying it had been sick for the past 13 days with pulmonary tuberculosis.

    “He was being treated by veterinarians but could not recover and died due to his illness at 11 am on Wednesday,” the spokesperson said. However, as per social media reports  the lion has allegedly been starved to death.

    Read more- Lion allegedly starved to death in Karachi Zoo

    Earlier Journalist Quatrina Hosain posted a video in which the lion was in very poor condition. She also tagged the City Administrator Barrister Murtaza Wahab in her post, asking him to take the action against those responsible.

    Actor Ayesha Omar took to her Twitter handle to speak up against the lack of funds for animal welfare at Karachi Zoo.

    Actor and writer Yasir Hussain shared the news on his Instagram account while tagging Maryam Nawaz and wrote, “Sher tha aap hi bacha lete.”

    Activist Shaniera Akram also took to her twitter to express her and disappointment.

    Earlier, other celebrities including Ahsan Khan, Areeba Habib, Ahmed Ali Butt and Anoushey Ashraf also up against the trivialising treatment of animals in Karachi Zoo.

  • Stray dogs attack kills four deer in Sahiwal zoo

    Stray dogs attack kills four deer in Sahiwal zoo

    A total of four deer have been reported dead in a stray dog attack incident, reports Daily Times.

    Three of them reportedly died yesterday, while the fourth was found dead at the Sahiwal’s zoo today (Thursday). It has been learned that the deer were bitten by stray dogs in the zoo on which the residents have expressed their concern.

    The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) administration said that the deer died after being bitten by an animal as the wounds were found on the bodies of the dead animals.

    This is not the first time that animals have been reported dead at the zoos of Punjab.

  • Ostrich running on Lahore street dies after being caught by the neck

    Ostrich running on Lahore street dies after being caught by the neck

    An ostrich running on Lahore’s canal road died when a man tried to catch the bird from it’s neck while it was running, Geo News has reported. The video of the ostrich running on one of the busiest roads went viral on social media.

    The bird was rushing along the main road, causing a severe traffic jam. It died of strangulation after people choked off its air passage during its capture. The bird’s dead body was later moved from the road.

    As per reports, there were two ostriches seen on the road and the search for the other bird is apparently underway.

  • Cat incident fake, cat has left the world for a better place: DC Islamabad

    Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat has said that the complaint regarding the incident of a cat hanging in a house is ‘fake’.

    “Complaint regarding cat incident turned out to be fake after investigation,” DC Islamabad wrote in a tweet.

    He went on to add, “The person who shared the picture misguided. Owner of the cat also submitted statement that it was her collar. No torture found. All hype was for nothing.”

    Hamza also said that they have apologised to the person.

    A social media user inquired about the cat is alive, to which Hamza replied, “She had an anccident and has left the world for a better place.”

    Earlier, the police arrested former bureaucrat, Abdul Qayyum, after a dead cat was found hanging in his house located in Bahira Town. He was later released.

    The accused denied the accusations but the police suspected the statement given by the accused is false, adding: “Cats are not usually found with ropes around their neck.”

  • Man arrested for beating a dog to death

    Trigger Warning: Animal Abuse

    A suspect has been booked by Baghdadi police for allegedly beating a stray dog to death with stones and sticks, Samaa has reported. The case has been registered under Sections 34 and 429 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

    As per details, the incident took place on August 10 at 6pm at Madina Masjid Road in Lyari, Karachi.

    The locals of the area said that that the dog attacked a two-year-old Bilal, adding that they contacted welfare organisations many times but they did not get any response.

    A video went viral on social media yesterday, in which, a man can be seen beating a tied up dog with a stick in front of a mob. However, the details of the incident were unclear.