ISLAMABAD: Following public outrage and the involvement of international animal rights organisations, Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman has urged the Sindh government to close the Karachi Zoo due to its inability to care for wild animals.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has backed the suggestion to permanently close the zoo and relocate the wild animals and birds to safe places as the caged creatures continue to suffer in appalling living circumstances.
Noor Jehan, a 17-year-old elephant, made the headlines earlier this month owing to her declining health condition. The mammal had a successful surgery last week but could not recover fully because her condition had deteriorated alarmingly.
The elephant had developed various medical ailments due to months of insufficient care and treatment, and this was only one of the many animals maintained at the wildlife park.
Sources said that after receiving support from Bilawal Bhutto and Sherry Rehman, the Sindh government will likely accept the proposal to close the Karachi Zoo.
Sources said that numerous proposals were under consideration with specialists recommending converting existing zoos into botanical gardens and rescue and rehabilitation centres for wild species.
The deplorable living circumstances of wild creatures at the Karachi Zoo have drawn the wrath of wildlife specialists, who have asked that it be closed, and wild animals relocated to sanctuaries.
