Written by: Mehr Jan
Posted on: June 11, 2020 | 
People Gathering around Kaavan the Elephant at the Marghazar Zoo
If you brush up on your historical literature, you would come to learn how the zoos of today stand in sheer contrast to their earliest counterparts. At first zoological gardens were considered as royal menageries of exotic animals from conquered lands. The purpose was then changed to serve as a source of entertainment for the people, and later they evolved into conservation sites for research and public education.
Yet in Pakistan, the role of local zoos in all major cities is not precisely defined. While a majority has focused amusement for people, the state of the enclosures has often given Pakistan a negative image.
Suzi the Elephant of the Lahore Zoo, who passed away in 2017
A few weeks back, we had seen A-list celebrities tweeting accolades for the government of Pakistan in response to the news that ‘Kaavan’- the lonely elephant at the Islamabad Zoo would finally be free. The pachyderm was gifted by the Sri Lankan Government in 1985 as a one-year-old, to build cordial relations with Pakistan. However, the Islamabad High Court ordered wildlife officials to consult with Sri Lanka, and find Kaavan a “suitable sanctuary” within 30 days, from the verdict given on May 21, 2020. Kaavan gained plenty of coverage a few years earlier when reports circulated of him being chained due to aggressive behavior. His condition deteriorated when his female companion ‘Saheli’, passed away in 2012 under mysterious conditions. Zoo officials claimed he would get better when a new mate joins, however experts stated that without a better habitat, its future was bleak.
International pressure compelled authorities to look into Kaavan’s case, and while this creature might have finally got a happy ending, there is still much work to be done. The animals in the Islamabad Zoo, in particular, are often neglected and ill-treated, confined to small enclosures which stifle their urge to roam, fly, mate, or simply exist in a climate to which they are most familiar.
Nine newly-arrived giraffes died in different zoos across Pakistan
Zoos in Pakistan have been constantly losing their animals due to unfavorable living conditions and negligence. Pakistan has over 14 zoos, 10 of which are government-owned, and 4 of which are private. Looking at one of the oldest and largest zoos in the country, the Lahore Zoo was established in 1872 and has had continuous reports of incidents and mishaps.
The Aviary at the Lahore Zoo
Despite a master plan of approximately Rs. 202,830 million that aimed for the improvement and addition of facilities, not much has been done for the animals’ wellbeing in Lahore. In fact, the serenity of the facility has been disrupted by excessively noisy electrical toys and machines, after its renovation in January 2009 into a children’s amusement facility.
Islamabad Zoo, established in 1978, interestingly served as a sanctuary for animals gifted by various countries to Pakistan over cordial relations. It was later turned into a zoo due to the growing number of species. Unfortunately, it holds the record of losing 15 animals over the past couple of years, including an ostrich, lion cubs and nilgai, and a bear. However, more than 30 animals have expired in Peshawar Zoo since it was inaugurated in February 2018, including a rare snow leopard.
Female leopard dies one week after its debut at Lahore Zoo
An official from the World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan has stated how Pakistan’s Zoos are not kept as per the International standards set by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquarium (WAZA).
These policies state that a zoo is supposed to depict the exact environment of the animal’s home territory. But none of the enclosures in Pakistan serve that purpose, as cages are not designed as prescribed, the feed is not nutritious, and the medical facilities not up to the mark. Moreover, there has been a lack of imagination when it comes to teaching the public about the lives and rights of wild animals, not just elephants like Kaavan.
The Himalayan Bear at Margazhar Zoo
This doesn’t mean that change cannot come, but that largely depends on competent administrators ensuring the best possible measures. As of 2019, the Lahore Zoo recorded more births and fewer deaths, for all the animals in the enclosure. A few years ago, when Kaavan’s suffering had begun to gain international attention, the Capital Development Authority (CDA)’s environmental wing formed a Zoo Advisory Committee on Animal Healthcare. Moreover, in 2018, a Zoo Revival Project was launched at Karachi Zoo. The plan involved a 28-hectare day and night zoo, considered to be the first in the country built according to international standards.
A Bear in the Karachi Zoo
However, the issues of implementation and on-the-ground training for the animal keepers would need to be closely monitored. People who are qualified, and have comprehensive knowledge of zoological study should be given control of these zoos, or at best be consulted for making major decisions about the zoos. And those who are working in zoos should have some baseline training in zoology and veterinary sciences.
International attention given to Kaavan’s case might compel Pakistani authorities to improve living conditions for their zoo animals. But in to prevent maltreatment and incidents of neglect, better plans by more qualified staff need to be implemented.
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