A team of veterinarians and wildlife experts associated with Four Paws, a global animal welfare group, examined Noor Jehan, a 17-year-old African elephant, at the Karachi Zoological Garden in Pakistan. 

The team was requested by the Sindh government to provide urgent medical assistance to the sick elephant, whose condition had been deteriorating over the last few weeks. Dr Amir Khalil, who led the team, said that Noor Jehan suffered from multiple health issues, including arthritis and skin discoloration, which could be due to a fungal infection. The team conducted a surgical examination, including an endoscopy, x-ray, and ultrasound, to determine the cause and extent of the animal’s ailment. 

They also had a fire brigade, a crane, and a wench at their disposal during the surgery to keep the animal stable and upright. Dr Khalil’s greatest concern was not to let the animal fall down during the surgery, as they feared that she might not be able to get up again. Dr Marina Ivanov, who was part of the team, said they would determine the treatment after examining the elephant. The experts said that Noor Jehan’s condition could have been the result of an accident, a fight, or collision between elephants. The vets urged the zoo authorities to relocate Noor Jehan and Madhubala, the other elephant sharing the cramped enclosure, to Safari Park located on University Road. 

The zoo in-charge Khalid Hashmi, who has been under fire over the condition of animals at the zoo, said he has written at least three letters to the administration of Safari Park to set up the enclosure for the elephants. However, the officials at Safari Park said the project cost document had been sent back to Hashmi’s office, and it was his responsibility to look into the matter. Dr Khalil welcomed the zoo administration’s “strategic decision” to relocate the elephant to Safari Park. Dr Saifur Rehman, the Karachi Administrator, pledged to relocate both elephants to Safari Park within the next two weeks.