KARACHI: More than a year after the tragic death of Noor Jehan, another elephant, Sonia, passed away on Sunday at Karachi’s Safari Park, an official confirmed.
As per details, Sonia, an African elephant aged between 17 and 19 years, was captured from the wild in Tanzania as a calf alongside three other female elephants. The group was brought to Karachi in 2009 and later divided between the Karachi Zoo and Safari Park.
The welfare of these elephants has long been a contentious issue, with critics highlighting the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s (KMC) lack of expertise in providing a species-appropriate environment.
Earlier this year, Sonia developed a severe infection, marked by swelling between her hind legs. Last year, she sustained a foot injury, reportedly caused by a damaged concrete floor and persistently moist conditions in her enclosure.
Last month, Sonia was reunited with her sister, Madhubala, after Madhubala was relocated from the Karachi Zoo to Safari Park, ending a year of solitary confinement.
Safari Park Director Syed Amjad Hussain Zaidi confirmed the news of Sonia’s death, stating that the team was informed at 6:30 AM. “The cause of death will only be determined after a postmortem,” he said, adding that the elephant’s body had been secured.
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab announced an inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding Sonia’s death. He noted that the Four Paws team had been treating the elephant for what appeared to be a tumor. “I will wait for the inquiry report before commenting further,” he stated.
Sonia’s death raises renewed concerns about the management and welfare of elephants in Karachi’s zoos and parks, emphasizing the urgent need for better care standards.
