ISLAMABAD: After the recent death of 17-year old African elephant Noor Jehan in Karachi Zoo, the global animal rights group Four Paws is planning to develop an elephant sanctuary in her memory in city’s Safari Park.

The facility will be constructed on the 17-acre land close to the Safari Park and will meet all the international standards.

Dr Amir Khalil, Director, Four Paws, told Gulf News the facility would be a “species-friendly home” and will not only help 18-year old Madhubala who is currently staying at the Karachi Zoo overcome the agony of losing her cousin, it would also provide better and sustainable conditions to the two other female African elephants Malika and Sonia who are already being kept in the Safari Park.

A letter of intent (LoI) has been written to the Administrator of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Dr Syed Saifur Rehman seeking the authorities’ nod to construct the sanctuary.

The Four Paws will bear all the expenses and requirements for construction of the sanctuary.

In the LoI, Dr Amir Khalil has also requested for the permission of the KMC to relocate Madhubala from the Karachi Zoo to the Safari Park.

The global animal rights group has also sought the control and management of the sanctuary in addition to upkeep and care of all elephants.

Home to the rescued elephants

Dr Amir Khalil was of the view that the sanctuary would not only cater to these three elephants, it would also be a home to the rescued elephants from other parts of the world.

To a question, he termed Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori, Provincial Minister Syed Nasir Shah and Administrator Karachi, Dr Syed Saifur Rehman very positive and forthcoming.

They remained in constant touch with the international vets from day one when Noor Jehan’s health deteriorated and facilitated the vets’ team and helped sort out things but unfortunately, Noor Jehan could not survive.

The provincial government’s vets, the local Zoo management and the animal rights activists also did a wonderful job providing all possible assistance and support to rescue Noor Jehan, he said.

Move to avoid further tragedies

Dr Amir Khalil said the permission (of building sanctuary) was sought to avoid any further tragedy and to give the elephants a better environment to live and enjoy in natural, peaceful and calm surroundings.

Owais Awan Advocate, legal consultant for the Four Paws International, also confirmed the LoI has been sent to the KMC seeking their permission to build a sanctuary in memory of Noor Jehan on the land close to the Safari Park.

We have received a very positive response from both the KMC and the provincial government of Sindh, he said, adding they have set up a task force to sort out and expedite allocation of the 17-acre land for this purpose as early as possible.

Seeking 25-year custody

“We are also seeking custody/management of the Elephant Sanctuary for at least 25 years so that the elephants’ care and look-after should continue uninterruptedly,” Awan said.

Once we receive a go ahead, we shall sign an MoU with the KMC and our experts will return to Karachi to build the sanctuary and incorporate all the international standards necessary in this regard. But before that we shall like to relocate Madhubala to the Safari Park which is close to the sanctuary site and possibly she would be shifted before the Eid Al Adha most probably in the last week of June or first week of July 2023), Owais said.