ISLAMABAD — An elephant died earlier this month at a safari park in Karachi due to a bacterial infection, as revealed by a veterinarian affiliated with a global animal welfare organization. Dr. Amir Khalil from the Vienna-based organization Four Paws stated that the infection had spread throughout the body of the 19-year-old elephant named Sonia, originating from her foot. This unfortunate event raises serious concerns regarding the treatment of animals by Pakistani authorities, as such infections do not develop overnight.
“We are deeply saddened by Sonia’s passing,” Dr. Khalil expressed. In a statement, Four Paws reported that an autopsy performed last week indicated that Sonia’s death was a result of a combination of prolonged unsuitable living conditions for the species and malnutrition. This tragic outcome reaffirms the pressing need for improved management and care of elephants.
As of now, officials from Pakistan have not commented on the situation. Typically, African elephants can live between 60 and 70 years in the wild, though their lifespan is shorter when kept in captivity. Sonia was relocated to Pakistan in 2009 with three other elephants, one of whom, Noor Jahan, passed away last year at the age of 17 at a Karachi zoo.
Recently, Sonia had the opportunity to be reunited with her sister Madhubala, who was moved from the Karachi Zoological Garden last month to rejoin her family. This reunification was significant since Madhubala had been separated from her sisters Sonia and Malika for about 15 years.
Four Paws, which released the post-mortem findings, noted that the autopsy results showed the presence of multiple types of bacteria. The primary source of bacteria was identified as an advanced abscess on Sonia’s foot, which had only been found and treated during the organization’s recent visit for Madhubala’s transfer.
Dr. Khalil also indicated that he had shared a “prophylactic treatment plan” with the authorities for Malika and Madhubala, urgently recommending antibiotic treatment along with blood tests before and after to monitor their health.
He plans to return to Pakistan in February to assess the remaining elephants but emphasized that Sonia’s death illustrates the urgent need for better care of these animals. Pakistan has faced criticism over its management of captive elephants. In 2020, an elephant named Kaavan, who was famously referred to as the “world’s loneliest elephant” for enduring years of solitude, was transported to a sanctuary in Cambodia, where he could finally enjoy the company of other elephants. This rescue operation gained global attention and was supported by various advocates, including the singer and actor Cher, who played a significant role in promoting Kaavan’s transfer.