KARACHI: The condition of the 17-year-old ailing elephant at the Karachi Zoo, Noor Jehan, a has worsened after she fell into a pond inside.
According to zoo officials, the animal reportedly fell into a cemented pond inside her cage at 7:30am on Thursday and was stuck there for hours after which a crane along with ropes and belts was used to lift her up.
Noor Jehan, who is already an intensive care patient, has been suffering from severe physical trauma for the past three months. The elephant’s muscle mass has shrunk, her spine appears disfigured and her legs appear crooked.
Last week, a group of vets from Four Paws – an international animal welfare organisation – visited Karachi to treat the elephant. During their short trip, they had deduced that the elephant had suffered an injury in the last few months leading to internal bleeding and a hematoma – a collection of blood within a confined tissue space – in her abdomen.
The team had treated the elephant with medicines and complex procedures but had warned before leaving that she needed intense aftercare. They had also given the zoo a set of directions to follow.
However, it appears that the zoo has failed to follow these measures.
The elephant has been propped up against a mound of sand inside her enclosure, almost lifeless. Her eyes are only half open with barely any movement. She looks like she has given up.
