Governor Kamran Tessori has said that there will be a full inquiry into the treatment and care of Noor Jahan, an elephant at the Karachi Zoo. His statement comes days after a video went viral in which the animal appears to be unable to stand.
Noor Jehan is suffering from a joint and bone disease. She developed the condition two-and-a-half months ago. The disease has progressed leaving her hind limbs partially paralyzed. She can barely move from the pain and is dragging herself around.
The allegation of political support is not true, action will be taken against whoever is found guilty in the inquiry, Tessori said on Saturday, March 25, while talking to the media during a visit to Karachi Zoo with Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah.
The Karachi Administrator (the city does not have an elected mayor) has been directed to submit a report within three days on the care, diet, and treatment of the elephant. Experts from the international organization Four Paws will reach Karachi in 4 to 5 days.
“I have come to the zoo along with the minister of local government so that if there is any administrative negligence, it should be removed,” he said.
Karachi-based artist, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, also visited the ailing elephant and said that the ’zoo is understaffed and underfunded ’.
Salman Sufi, head of the Prime Minister’s Strategic Reforms, tweeted an update about Noor Jehan’s health.
On Friday, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation allowed Four Paws to visit the zoo and treat the elephant. The zoo’s vet said that they have consulted Four Paws over the phone for her treatment.
KMC’s letter comes after Four Paws sent a request to the administration to carry out a physical checkup of the elephants.
Karachi Administrator Dr Syed Saif-ur-Rahman, Municipal Commissioner Syed Shujaat Hussain, Zoo Director Khalid Hashmi, and other officers were present when the governor visited.
Tessori said that the purpose of visiting was to investigate the news circulating on social media regarding the elephant’s health.
The Administrator will inform the media about the case.
The governor said that Karachi Zoo was a historical asset where more than 800 animals and birds are kept.
Minister Nasir Hussain Shah said that former president Asif Ali Zardari has directed that special care and treatment be given to Noor Jehan and in case of a shortage of funds, he would send money personally.
