ISLAMABAD: After years of captivity, Karachi Zoo’s 24-year-old brown bear Rano has finally embarked on her long-awaited journey to freedom.
Following orders from the Sindh High Court, Rano was relocated to Islamabad on Wednesday under the supervision of wildlife experts—marking the first step toward her rehabilitation and improved welfare.
Before her departure, the bear was carefully placed in a specially designed wooden crate at Karachi’s Faisal Base, where her diet, health, and behaviour were closely monitored. In a heartening moment, Rano calmly entered the crate without sedation, responding gently to the familiar voices of her caretakers.
She was then airlifted from Karachi to Islamabad aboard a Pakistan Air Force C-130 aircraft, which departed at 8:30 a.m. and landed at Nur Khan Airbase around 11:30 a.m.
According to Sindh Wildlife Conservator Javed Ahmed Mahar, the team observed Rano throughout the flight, noting that she remained composed and even rested peacefully despite the aircraft’s noise.
Rano’s relocation represents a significant milestone in Pakistan’s growing commitment to animal welfare and the humane treatment of zoo animals.
Upon arrival, technical staff assisted in her safe offloading, and she was transferred to the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board’s bear rehabilitation facility.
In the next phase, Rano will be moved to a sanctuary in Gilgit-Baltistan — a natural refuge that promises her a second chance at life, far from the confines of her former barren cage at Karachi Zoo.
