The three remaining African elephants in Karachi, Pakistan continue to be subjected to poor care and living conditions despite these factors playing a significant role in the premature death of the fourth Karachi elephant ‘Noor Jehan’ in April 2023.

Madhubala at Karachi Zoo is now alone despite elephants being herd animals, her solitary status has been documented to be causing her severe angst. In addition, she resides in a small barren environment that fails to meet her species-specific needs. Questions also remain around her diet & general care.

Sonia & Malika at Karachi Safari Park fare slightly better having a green pasture to reside in during the day (in recent months the elephants have been afforded greater access to the pasture & this must continue) although the cages in which they are incarcerated at night remain abhorrent and entirely unsuitable for elephants (a third cage of the same type has been constructed in anticipation of Madhubala’s arrival)

Following the death of Noor Jehan and recognising that the three remaining Karachi elephants are suffering, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation struck a verbal agreement with animal welfare organisation Four Paws International to upgrade the elephant enclosure at the Safari Park to create a more species-specific environment as well as training caretakers to afford the elephants’ better ongoing care. In line with these improvements Four Paws also agreed to complete the move of Madhubala to the Safari Park to be with other elephants in what would become a more appropriate setting.

In June 2023 Barrister Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui was elected Mayor of Karachi and since then the agreement has stalled with no further progress and no signed MOU (Memorandum of Understanding)

Mayor Murtaza Wahab in dragging his feet to sign the MOU is prolonging the suffering of all three elephants and particularly Madhubala.

 So as not to cause further suffering to the elephants Mayor Murtaza Wahab must sign the MOU without further delay or relinquish all three elephants to a recognised elephant sanctuary outside Pakistan.

UPDATE APRIL 2024

The MoU is now signed, the improvements and Madhubala's transfer will go ahead, However what is not clear is who will be responsible for managing the elephant facility going forward? Given The atrocious record of KMC in animal welfare this MUST be Four Paws!