Karachi mayor orders investigation into sudden death of elephant Sonia

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab Sunday expressed sorrow over the unexpected demise of elephant Sonia at Safari Park and directed a thorough investigation.

“If negligence is found, strict action will be taken against the officials and staff involved,” stated the Mayor.

The cause of death will be examined from all aspects, with a full post-mortem to be conducted.

The public and media will be informed of all findings related to Sonia’s death, the Karachi Mayor assured.

Earlier in the day, Sonia, the African elephant at Karachi’s famous Safari Park, breathed her last.

According to park officials, Sonia was healthy and had been eating normally until her sudden demise.

The administration stated that park staff discovered Sonia’s lifeless body early in the morning. A post-mortem examination will be conducted to ascertain the reasons behind Sonia’s death.

Earlier, the 17-year-old African elephant, Noor Jehan, breathed her last at Karachi Zoo. The elephant, Noor Jehan underwent emergency treatment for a tumour in Karachi on April 5 but collapsed days later.

Read more: Elephant Sonia breathes her last at Karachi’s Safari Park

History of the Karachi elephants

The four African elephants, Madhubala, Noor Jehan, Sonia and Malika, came to Pakistan in 2009 after they were caught in the wild at a young age. Arriving in Karachi, they were separated, Madhubala and Noor Jehan were brought to Karachi Zoo, their sisters, Sonia and Malika, came to Karachi Safari Park.

In November 2021, the Sindh High Court in Pakistan asked FOUR PAWS to assess the wellbeing of the four elephants. They were all found in need of proper diet, enrichment, and medical treatment. Noor Jehan and Madhubala also needed dental surgery due to infections caused by broken tusks. Following the death of Noor Jehan, Madhubala was Pakistan’s last captive African elephant in a zoo.