Vets are in a race against time to save the life of this poor elephant which they say is stuck in a zoo in appalling conditions and in agonising pain, suffering from enlarged genitalia and malnourishment.
They say that Noor Jehan, a 17-year-old female elephant, has a 50 per cent chance of surviving but the clock is ticking and she needs urgent care, as well as a new home.
Horrific footage shows Noor Jehan struggling to stand on her feet.
Noor Jehan, one of Pakistan’s four remaining captive elephants, currently lives at Karachi Zoo along with Madhubala, while two other elephants, Malika and Sonu, live at the Karachi Safari Park, which experts say is also in a pitiful state.
Experts with animal rights organisation Four Paws say Noor Jehan, an African elephant (Loxodonta), and Madhubala – who they said is also suffering – should be reunited with Malika and Sonu at the safari park.
Newsflash obtained a statement from Four Paws on Tuesday, 4th April, saying: “A team of veterinarians and wildlife experts from global animal welfare organisation Four Paws arrived in Karachi, Pakistan on 4th April.
“Upon urgent request of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), who runs Karachi Zoo, they will help with the health assessment and treatment of the deteriorating condition of elephant Noor Jehan.
“Recent reports and images show Noor Jehan in serious physical distress. The 17-year-old African elephant will receive a thorough veterinary examination to determine her future care.”
The experts said they are fighting to have the two elephants relocated, saying that they are being kept in terrible conditions and claiming that Karachi Zoo does not comply with international standards.
Four Paws vet Amir Khalil is leading a team of vets and wildlife experts who are familiar with the Karachi elephants, including Frank Goeritz and Thomas Hildebrandt from the Leibnitz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), and Marina Ivanova from Four Paws.
They are evaluating Noor Jehan’s health and giving her treatment and pain relief, and are also working with the Pakistani authorities to find her a new home.
Khalil said: “It is clear from the footage we have seen that Noor Jehan is in serious pain and suffering. She has problems with her hind limbs that have left her limping, partially paralysed and in physical distress.
“Seeing this is particularly heartbreaking as it might have been prevented, had the elephants been relocated already, as the zoo does not comply with international standards.”
He added that it was important to “be prepared for all possible outcomes”.
Josef Pfabigan, the global CEO of Four Paws, said that as a result of its failings, Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, recently announced plans to shut the zoo for good.
Four Paws said that all four of the elephants in Karachi had been caught by a Pakistani animal trader at a young age in Tanzania, arriving in Pakistan in 2009″.
Four Paws have launched a petition on change.org (https://www.change.org/p/save-noor-jehan-the-17-year-old-elephant) to save Noor Jehan.
They said: “She is seen head pressing and trunk bitting which are signs of severe pain in elephants. If medical help doesn’t reach her on time, this beautiful young animal may die.”
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Story By: Joseph Golder, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency: Newsflash
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