Tag: animals

  • Green turtles fight to survive against Pakistan’s urban sprawl

    Green turtles fight to survive against Pakistan’s urban sprawl

    Against the backdrop of the mega port city of Karachi, choked with traffic and construction, four green turtles emerge from the frothy Arabian Sea seeking a spot to lay their eggs.

    Three immediately retreat to the water, put off by the glittering lights and heavy beat of a nearby beach party.

    But one trundles towards the end of the beach bank, its flippers whipping sand into the air before settling on a dry spot of sand in which to deposit 88 golf ball-sized eggs.

    Newly-hatched green turtles crawl towards the Arabian Sea, after being released by marine conservationists on Sandspit beach in Karachi. PHOTO: AFP

    Six conservationists tasked with protecting the last surviving turtle species to nest in Pakistan stand guard nearby.

    “Being human doesn’t only call for loving another human being. These animals also require the same attention and love,” said Ashfaq Ali Memon, the head of marine wildlife at Sindh province’s Wildlife Department.

    Sandspit Beach is a beloved recreation spot for the city’s 22 million residents, as well as a critical habitat for Pakistan’s endangered green turtles.

    Until the early 2000s, the beaches of Pakistan’s Arabian coast were the nesting habitat for five endangered turtle species, now only the green turtles come to shore to lay their eggs. PHOTO: AFP

    The eight-kilometre (five-mile) stretch of beach is being relentlessly encroached upon by the construction of concrete beach houses that have, metre-by-metre, eaten into the strip of sand where turtles nest.

    “Once I saw someone disturbing a turtle while she was laying eggs. She ran off for safety, leaving a trail of eggs behind her. That was a very painful scene,” said Haseen Bano, Memon’s wife who supports the work of the volunteers.

    Marine turtles have covered vast distances across the world’s oceans for more than 100 million years but human activity has tipped the scales against the survival of these ancient creatures, the World Wildlife Fund says.

    Until the early 2000s, the beaches of Pakistan’s Arabian coast were the nesting habitat for five endangered turtle species.

    Marine turtles have covered vast distances across the world’s oceans for more than 100 million years but human activity has tipped the scales against the survival of these ancient creatures, the World Wildlife Fund says. PHOTO: AFP

    Now only the green turtles come to shore to lay their eggs on just two beaches in Karachi and on uninhabited islands in Balochistan, further down the coast towards Iran.

    Alongside construction, noise and garbage pollution, WWF-Pakistan has also reported that diesel and petrol fumes have caused deformities in hatchlings.

    As well as major disruption to their nesting habitats, thousands of turtles are also injured or killed in fishing nets every year.

    Named for the greenish colour of their cartilage and fat, they are classified as endangered across the world.

    Sindh Wildlife Department has a dedicated team of six volunteers, paid according to fluctuating donations, who patrol the beaches after dark during nesting season between August and January.

    “When the turtles arrive to use the pits, our volunteers are present to take care of them and to ensure no one can disturb them,” Amir Khan told AFP.

    Data on the number of green turtles is not available in Pakistan but, for the past few years, the number of hatchlings has increased. PHOTO: AFP

    The 88 — a decent batch for a young female — were delicately collected the same night and taken to a protected coastal conservation centre and reburied in the sand for the 45-60 day hatching cycle, away from the danger of stray dogs, mongoose and snakes.

    Baby turtles just a few hours old and only about two inches long are meanwhile brought to the water’s edge in buckets by volunteers and released one-by-one, swimming off into the night.

    Data on the number of green turtles is not available in Pakistan but, for the past few years, the number of hatchlings has increased.

    In 2022, volunteers successfully hatched 30,000 eggs and the current year’s count has already passed 25,000 just over halfway through the season.

    Baby turtles just a few hours old and only about two inches long are brought to the water’s edge in buckets by volunteers and released one-by-one, swimming off into the night. PHOTO: AFP

    Khan said these “living dinosaurs” will continue to struggle against the accelerating urban sprawl of the city and the dangers posed by fishermen.

    “It feels good to take care of these turtles, they boost the beauty of our beach,” said Mohammad Javed, a 29-year-old volunteer who inherited the caretaker legacy from his father.

  • In the face of indescribable cruelty, Palestinians continue displaying love for animals

    In the face of indescribable cruelty, Palestinians continue displaying love for animals

    Despite hardship and violence, Palestinians keep proving their hearts are as big as the sea. As videos go viral of displaced civilians forced to leave behind their homes and belongings during the Israeli airstrikes, one thing remains consistent: the Palestinians will never leave behind their pets.

    Several videos show Palestinians living in refugee camps and surviving with meagre rations, but still doing everything to provide for the cats and dogs being left behind. An animal rescuer by the name of Salula Animal Rescue has been going viral on Twitter, with the platform applauding him for providing shelter and food to the cats whose owners did not survive or who got lost.

    In several videos, he can be seen housing injured animals found under the rubble of bombed homes.

    In many other videos, Gazan children can be seen cuddling their cats as they take them along to escape the bombing by Israeli airstrikes.

    A man from Gaza went viral when he was seen taking his cat along with him to escape Northern Gaza.

    At a time when many experts have compared what is happening in Gaza to hell, Palestinians keep on proving they have bravery and resilience in spades.

  • Deadly virus kills 35 ibex in Kirthar

    Deadly virus kills 35 ibex in Kirthar

    Ibex goats are dying in large numbers in Kirthar National Park, authorities have confirmed.

    According to local sources, four more ibex were found dead on Sunday while nine infected animals were traced by wildlife officers.

    Local sources have also reported that dead ibex are being cremated and buried, while efforts are being made to clean the ibex’s watering holes.

    The water in which the dead ibex were found has been blocked by planting bushes around it. While the water has become very polluted after decomposing ibex were found in it, locals claim the water will clean naturally with rains.

    Ibex are apparently suffering from an epidemic called Peste des Petits Ruminants, or PPR.

    Locals explain that this ‘goat plague’ is a virus that spreads rapidly, usually infecting sheep and goats. It is thus feared that the disease has been spread to ibex from goats

    Currently, there are around 25 thousand ibex in Kirthar and so far, 35 have died.

    Deputy Conservator of the Department of Wildlife, Hyderabad, Wahid Shaikh told Geo News that samples of the dead ibex have been sent to the laboratory for analysis, adding that the Sindh Wildlife Department has sent more teams to the affected area.

  • Man buys more than £12,000 dog costume, ventures out to make friends as a dog

    Man buys more than £12,000 dog costume, ventures out to make friends as a dog

    In an unconventional bid to fulfill a lifelong dream of ‘becoming an animal’, an individual known only as Toco recently stepped out donned in an intricately designed collie costume, valued at over £12,480 ($16,500).

    The story of the dedicated dog lover was covered by Mail Online. Toco enjoys a following of almost 30,000 YouTube subscribers, becoming an internet sensation due to his peculiar pursuit.

    Hailing from Japan, Toco spent approximately two million Yen on his lifelike dog outfit. Regular updates on his YouTube channel, ‘I want to be an animal’, showcase Toco frolicking in his backyard, enthusiastically performing tricks for pretend dog food, all while maintaining a quadrupedal stance.

    Toco has now taken his unique hobby a step further by venturing out into public spaces to meet both people and other dogs. The internet personality can be seen in recent videos exploring a park, sniffing at other dogs, and rolling around on the grass, all while leashed.

    The public reaction to Toco’s antics, ranges from amused inquisitiveness to mild bewilderment. Despite his newfound fame and a burgeoning fan base, Toco prefers to keep his real identity concealed.

  • Zebby becomes ‘National Cat of the Year’ for assisting deaf owner

    Zebby becomes ‘National Cat of the Year’ for assisting deaf owner

    In an exceptional display of feline intuition and care, Zebby, an extraordinary cat, has been crowned Cats Protection’s National Cat of the Year.

    The story was covered by BBC about how Zebby has garnered this title by providing invaluable assistance to his deaf owner, Genevieve Moss, by alerting her to various sounds around their home.

    Overflowing with pride, Genevieve Moss expressed her admiration for Zebby, highlighting how he showcases the remarkable compassion and intuitive nature of cats.

    she further emphasized the positive impact these furry companions can have on people’s lives, stating, “I am so proud of Zebby for showing the world how intuitive and caring cats can be, and what a positive effect they can have on people’s lives. Without my hearing aid, I can’t hear anything, but now I have Zebby to help me.”

  • Chile animal shelter offers hope to wildlife affected by natural disasters

    Chile animal shelter offers hope to wildlife affected by natural disasters

    In response to the aftermath of natural disasters in Chile, an animal shelter called Refugio Animal Cascada, located near Santiago, is providing refuge and rehabilitation for wildlife impacted by the events.

    With a history spanning two decades, the shelter has recently seen an influx of new residents due to a series of wildfires, droughts, and heavy rains.

    Reuters has reported that Chile’s central regions experienced severe weather conditions, including heavy rainfall and floods, leading to evacuations and further distress for the wildlife. Earlier this year, devastating wildfires ravaged Chilean forests, displacing numerous woodland animals and leaving destruction in their wake.

    Activists responded by treating injuries, including burns, sustained by animals like the small nocturnal marsupials known as monitos del monte and pudus, the world’s smallest deer.

    The escalating global environmental crisis, characterized by the loss of biodiversity and native wildlife, prompted Chilean Environment Minister Maisa Rojas to express concern during her visit to inaugurate a new unit at the shelter.

    She emphasized the vulnerability of the country’s wildlife, stating that it is at risk.

    The shelter’s primary objective is to rehabilitate these animals and ultimately release them back into their natural habitats.

  • ‘Janwaron say bad dua lenay say behtar hai’: Hamza Ali Abbasi joins rallying cry to shut down zoos across Pakistan

    ‘Janwaron say bad dua lenay say behtar hai’: Hamza Ali Abbasi joins rallying cry to shut down zoos across Pakistan

    Actor Hamza Ali Abbas has joined the chorus of voices calling for zoos across Pakistan to be shut down. As the country watches veterinarians try to save the life of one of Karachi Zoo’s elephants, Noor Jehan, celebrities have lent support to the demand that the animals be shifted to sanctuaries.

    Taking to Instagram, the ‘Maula Jatt’ actor shared a clip of a post by Express Tribune, slamming authorities for not caring about the welfare of the animals:

    “We can’t take care of animals in zoo’s- it is better than to receive curses from animals that we should ban zoos and send the animals to a safer place.”

    Abbasi’s criticism comes after countless celebrities, including Grammy award winner Arooj Aftab, raised their voices to support animals and shut down zoos. Aftab re-shared a clip from her interview with The Current where she had talked about the abysmal conditions of animals in Lahore’s zoo, calling for better facilities to be set up for animals.

    Just as Noor Jehan improved, she fell into a concrete pond built inside her shelter, leading to worsening of her condition. Authorities had remained in contact with the animal welfare organization Four Paws to coordinate for her treatment.

    Yesterday, The Nation reported that Minister of Climate Change and member of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Sherry Rehman, had advised Sindh government to shut down Karachi Zoo, and for the animals to be moved to enclosures where they are provided with proper facilities.

  • Sri Lanka considering exporting 100,000 monkeys to China

    Sri Lanka considering exporting 100,000 monkeys to China

    Sri Lanka’s Agriculture Minister, Mahinda Amaraweera, has instructed officials to examine China’s proposal to import 100,000 toque macaque monkeys, which are native to Sri Lanka and classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

    The monkeys will be displayed in over 1,000 Chinese zoos with the minister suggesting that Sri Lanka might be able to meet the request due to the large macaque population in the country.

    As per a Sri Lankan news portal, a meeting was held on Tuesday to discuss the possibility of sending monkeys to China under the first phase of the programme. Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera led the meeting, which was attended by officials from the Agriculture Ministry, Department of National Zoological Gardens, and Department of Wildlife Conservation.

    During the meeting, it was revealed that the current monkey population in Sri Lanka has grown to almost 3 million and that the monkeys were causing significant damage to local crops.

    Despite Sri Lanka’s ban on almost all live animal exports, the country is currently considering fulfilling China’s request for macaque monkeys, as the country grapples with its worst economic crisis.
    Sri Lanka is also looking to fulfill China’s request due to the fact that Beijing is one of Sri Lanka’s major bilateral lenders.

  • 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.