The Sindh Chief Minister, Murad Ali Shah, has directed the immediate transfer of Rano, the bear from Karachi Zoo, to ensure its proper rehabilitation and care.
According to the Sindh Wildlife Department, the matter has now been officially handed over to their division for implementation.
Rano will be moved to the “Black Bear” Rehabilitation Centre in Islamabad, which operates under the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board.
The transfer to the natural habitat will take place in two phases, the department stated.
In the first phase, Rano will be transported to the Islamabad rehabilitation facility, where an officer of Deputy Conservator rank will be assigned to oversee her welfare and recovery.
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In the second phase, after Rano completes her rehabilitation, she will be relocated to her natural habitat in Gilgit-Baltistan in coordination with the Ministry of Climate Change, the department confirmed.
Officials said Rano has been in captivity for a long time and is not yet ready for release into the wild. Therefore, a temporary enclosure will be set up in Gilgit-Baltistan with the help of civil society and the Ministry of Climate Change to help her adapt.
Until Rano’s full transfer is complete, the Sindh Wildlife Conservator will remain in close coordination with the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board, the Gilgit-Baltistan Forest Department, and the Federal Climate Change Ministry, said the Secretary of Sindh Forest Department.
