An elephant has died at a zoo in Pakistan, bringing attention back to the treatment of animals

The 17-year-old elephant, in very serious condition, had fallen into a pond this month and was unable to get up without help.

“After fighting for 9 days, the female elephant succumbed and the condition became critical. She has been lying on the ground for too long – a situation that endangers the lives of elephants,” Four Paws, an international animal welfare organization that advised local and international veterinarians on her treatment, said in a statement.

Veterinarian Amir Khalil, from Four Paws, said it was “heartbreaking that he had to die at just 17 when he could have lived many more years”. Noor Jehan was an African elephant, whose average lifespan is 60 to 70 years.

In recent years, two lions have suffocated to death in Pakistan after keepers tried to remove them from their den using smoke, and several white tiger cubs have died.

The director of the Karachi Zoo was fired this month following complaints of negligence. In 2020, a court ordered the closure of the Islamabad Zoo, where Kaavan the elephant was kept.

The famous American singer Cher, after years of trying to free Kaavan, came to Pakistan to lead him to a sanctuary in Cambodia.

Khalil said that the Karachi zoo does not meet international standards and demanded that Madhubala, the healthy elephant left at the zoo, be moved to a more species-appropriate place to give her a chance at a better life.

Four Paws stated that Madhubala has been mourning the loss of her long-time companion.

Widespread criticism of authorities over Noor Jehan’s condition – with images of her lying helplessly on her side – led to reports in the local media that the Karachi Zoo could be closed for good.

Four Paws said it welcomed the proposal, adding that it could be a turning point for the welfare of wild animals in captivity in Pakistan.