KARACHI: A team of veterinary experts on Wednesday submitted final and detailed reports about the condition of four African elephants being kept at the Karachi Zoo and the Safari Park before the Sindh High Court and said that overall health condition of the elephants was good.

However, the team said that the two elephants kept at the Safari Park had curable foot problems and the elephants at Karachi Zoo had tusk issues as well as low haemoglobin concentration.

Foot, tusk and other problems are curable, court told

The team headed by German veterinarian Dr Frank Goritz also suggested some immediate and long-term measures to address foot, dental and other issues.

The reports said that in the light of the SHC order, the team carried out examination of the elephants on Nov 29 and standing sedation was performed through blow pipe for detailed examination, blood and urine collection for analysis, body measurements for scientifically based calculation of body condition scoring index and other procedures.

“Overall the elephants housed in Karachi Zoo and Safari Park are in good health condition, having body condition scoring (3.5-4.5) slightly overweight. Trans-rectal ultrasonography and the rapid blood analysis showed no major pathology of vital organs, however both elephants at the zoo showed low haemoglobin concentration,” it added.

Both elephants at the Karachi Zoo have tusk problems as tusk cavities are exposed and the elephants at Safari Park having foot problems (cracked foot pad, overgrown and malformed nails) which are curable, the reports said.

It recommended that since the elephants were slightly obese, walk must be a regular part of their routine, disinfection of tusk cavities, enrichments were mandatory and placement of tires, logs and other safe items would help promote their playful behaviour.

The reports further suggested surgical removal of damaged and infected tusks, proper foot care and vaccination of all elephants against tetanus and clostridium.

There is a dire need to overcome the issue of staff shortage both at Karachi Zoo and Safari Park and without proper staff, it is challenging to maintain and mange the zoo/park and upkeep the animals, the reports said.

The establishment of a central zoo authority at provincial /national levels was imperative to manage and administer zoos of the province/country for better liaison, coordination, animal exchange and capacity building of zoo workers and professionals, the reports stated.

A two-judge bench headed by Justice Aftab Ahmed Gorar took the reports on record and provided the copies to the lawyers for respondents as well as counsel for the petitioners and adjourned the matter for a date to be fixed by the office of the court later.

In September, the SHC had appointed Dr Goritz to verify the health condition of the elephants after an NGO for animals had petitioned the SHC seeking shifting of the elephants to an appropriate habitat.

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2021