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A training session was conducted for diagnosing and treating tuberculosis (TB) in elephants at Karachi’s Safari Park.
According to the Four Paws administration, the special training is being led by expert trainer Matthias Otto. Initial tests confirmed that elephants Madhubala and Malka are infected with the TB germ, prompting further medical examinations.
Four Paws stated that both elephants and their caretakers are receiving world-class training.
An 18-member committee, including international and local experts, WHO representatives, and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) officials, has been formed to oversee the treatment process.
Additionally, experts from Sri Lanka and Thailand have been engaged to ensure the elephants’ well-being. KMC and Safari Park administrations have been directed to implement expert recommendations immediately.
Earlier to this, the KMC set up an 18-member technical committee to monitor and manage the health of Safari Park elephants Malika and Madhubala, who have been diagnosed with tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex).
The committee, led by Dr R.C Rajapaksa, Director General, National Zoological Department, Sri Lanka (Chairman) and Dr Amir Khalil, Director Four Paws International (Co-Chairman), the committee members are: Dr Taweekpoke Angkawanish, Dr Frank Goritz, Head Veterinarian, Leibniz Institute, Germany), Dr Marina Ivanova (Four Paws), Dr Naseem Salahuddin, Prof Emeritus and Head of Infectious Disease Department, Indus Hospital, Prof Anila Durrani, Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore, Prof Rumina Hasan, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Dr Ghulam Mustafa, Department of Pathology, UVAS, Dr Samreen Ashraf, Additional Director, T.B. Control Progamme, Dr Benazir Kanwal, Sindh Institute of Animal Health, Karachi, Dr Narantuya Jadambaa (WHO Country Office-Pakistan), Dr Khawaja Laeeq Ahmed (WHO), Dr Syed Kazim Hussain, veterinary consultant, Safari Park, zoo zoologist/additional director Abida Raees, zoologist Safari Park Shaista Dilshad, Deputy Director Zoo Dr Aamir Ismail (secretary/member) and Yusra Askari, member Task Force (co-secretary/member).
Members include international and local experts from Germany, WHO, Indus Hospital, Aga Khan University, and UVAS.
