Administrator Saif-ur-Rehman said that the postmortem would take place later today (Sunday) by an international team of experts led by Dr Amir Khalili of Four Paws.

The autopsy was performed later in the day. Noor Jehan is to be buried inside Karachi Zoo, the authorities said.

While the main aim is to determine the cause of Noor Jehan’s death, the team will also take blood samples from Madhubala, the other female elephant at Karachi Zoo. Doctors believe that there is no threat to Madhubala as of now.

Authorities will also review the arrangements being made to shift Madhubala to Safari Park. The Zoo will remain open as the doctors examine the two elephants.

The 17-year-old African elephant underwent emergency treatment for a tumour which had crippled her back legs, but while in recovery she became trapped in her enclosure’s pool.

Zookeepers eventually managed to lift her out of the pool, but for the next nine days, she was unable to stand.

She eventually passed away as doctors tried to find a cure to her pain, with reiki experts also trying their hand.

Noor Jehan was one of four African elephants brought to Karachi from Tanzania in 2009. While Madhubala kept Noor Jehan company at the Zoo, Malka and Sono live at the Safari Park where Madhubala will now be shifted.