ISLAMABAD (AP) — An elephant named Sonia died due to a bacterial infection at a safari park in Karachi earlier this month, according to Dr. Amir Khalil, a veterinarian from the animal welfare organization Four Paws, which is based in Vienna. This significant revelation raises serious concerns about how animals are managed in Pakistan.
Dr. Khalil explained that the infection originated from an abscess on Sonia’s foot and spread throughout her body. He expressed sadness over Sonia’s death, noting that infections like this take time to develop, indicating potential neglect in care. “We are very sad for Sonia,” he remarked, as public outcry grew on social media regarding the treatment of the animals.
In a statement, Four Paws revealed that an autopsy performed last week concluded that Sonia’s death was a result of “prolonged species-inappropriate living conditions and malnutrition.” This unfortunate situation emphasizes the critical need for improved management of elephants in captivity.
There has been no immediate reaction from Pakistani officials, such as Syed Amjad Hussain Zaidi, the director of the safari park, who originally claimed that Sonia had been healthy and that her death was unexpected. This statement contradicts the findings from the autopsy.
Elephants typically live 60 to 70 years in the wild, but their lifespan may be shorter in captivity. Sonia, a small adult elephant, was brought to Pakistan in 2009 along with three other elephants. Tragically, one of her companions, Noor Jahan, passed away last year at the age of 17 in a Karachi zoo.
Recently, Sonia was reunited with her sister Madhubala, who had been transferred from the Karachi Zoological Garden to join her family after being separated for about 15 years. Unfortunately, Sonia’s untimely death has raised alarms about the welfare of the other remaining elephants, including Madhubala and Malika.
Four Paws also shared that the post-mortem results showed a variety of bacteria present in Sonia, stemming from the untreated abscess located on her foot, which had only been discovered and treated shortly before she died. Dr. Khalil has already sent a “prophylactic treatment plan” for Malika and Madhubala to the authorities, recommending immediate antibiotic treatment and blood tests for both elephants before and after the treatment.
Dr. Khalil plans to visit Pakistan in February to assess the remaining elephants but stressed that Sonia’s death highlighted the urgent need for improved care and management practices. Pakistan’s history with elephants in captivity is troubling; in 2020, Kaavan, known as the “world’s loneliest elephant,” was relocated from a Pakistani zoo to a sanctuary in Cambodia, thanks in part to advocacy from singer and actor Cher, who fought for his freedom and companionship with other elephants.
