KARACHI: One of the beloved elephants, Sonia, passed away suddenly last night at the Karachi Safari Park, department director Amjad Zaidi confirmed on Sunday morning.
The female elephants, Sonia and Malika, have been at the Safari Park since 2009. Recently, another female elephant Madhubala was recently transferred from the Karachi Zoo to the Safari Park.
Sonia is one of four African elephants that arrived in Pakistan from Tanzania in 2009.
The cause of her death will be determined after an autopsy. Before Sonia, a female elephant named Noor Jahan passed away on April 22 last year. Noor Jahan used to live in the Karachi Zoo, and after her death, her companion Madhubala became ill, which is why she was brought to the Safari Park to live with Sonia and Malika.
Speaking to the media, Director Zaidi said that Madhubala, Malika and Sonia are living happily together at the Safari Park.
Initially, the doctor said the cause of death was heart failure, the director said, adding that the real truth about Sonia’s death would be announced after the autopsy.
Sonia is almost 18 years old, healthy and has no illnesses. In July this year, Sonia was said to have contracted an infection, but it was later reported that she had fully recovered and was completely healthy until this unexpected loss.
Madhubala leaves for the Safari Park
There is also no compromise on the elephants’ diet, the director said. He said: “Sonia ate sugarcane and other fruits at 10pm last night.
Doctors and other staff at Safari Park have been working since morning. Madhubala and Malika are also showing signs of depression after Sonia’s death. The director said: “Both elephants refused to leave the cage.”
INVESTIGATION ORDER
Meanwhile, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab has ordered an investigation into the sudden death of elephant Sonia at the Safari Park. In a statement on Sunday, he said, “[It is] saddened to hear about the death of elephant Sonia. If any negligence is found to be the cause of the elephant’s death, strict action will be taken by the officials and staff.”
Wahab said the death of the elephant will be looked into from all angles, adding that a full post-mortem of the elephant will be conducted and the public and media will be informed about all updated information.