ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is planning to establish a virtual zoo in the federal capital to make up for the closure of Murgzar Zoo in December 2020.
Sources said that the civic agency has issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) to the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) to establish the virtual zoo.
The only zoo in Islamabad — which drew international condemnation for its treatment of lonely elephant Kaavan — was shut down on December 16, 2020, after its final occupants, Himalayan bears named Bubloo and Suzie, were relocated.
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The country’s only Asian elephant, Kaavan, was flown to a wildlife sanctuary in Cambodia.
The Islamabad Zoo is now completely closed for both public and officials Islamabad Zoo was established in 1978 on 10 hectares of land as a home for indigenous species. Authorities now plan to expand it as a wildlife conservation centre.
With little legislation to safeguard animal welfare, zoos across Pakistan are notorious for their poor conditions. In 2018, some 30 animals died in Islamabad Zoo.
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Sources said that the CDA has allotted 25 acres of the zoo’s land to IWMB for the establishment of the virtual zoo. The IWMB will build a virtual zoo and wildlife rescue center on the land. The IWMB has also submitted PC-II of Rs500 million to the Planning Commission of Pakistan for the approval of funds.
IWMB Chairperson Rina Saeed confirmed the allocation of land to IWMB. She said two-thirds of the land will be used as an entertainment area where documentaries, animatronic models of animals, a visual gallery, informative 3D shows, high-tech movies, and virtual shows will be arranged for the citizens.
She added that one-third of the land will be used to establish a rescue and rehabilitation center at the zoo. This rescue center will also be the first of its kind to bring rescued animals from all over Pakistan and provide them with medical care.
It is worth recalling here that the zoo was closed in December 2020 following an order by the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The court ruled to transfer all animals to shelters within the country and abroad.
