Noor Jehan, an ailing elephant in Pakistan's Karachi Zoo succumbed to critical injuries she received recently, but her death has revived criticisms over the dire state of the nation's zoos.

Noor Jehan, an ailing elephant in Pakistan's Karachi Zoo succumbed to critical injuries she received recently, but her death has revived criticisms over the dire state of the nation's zoos. Experts, vets and animal welfare advocates had tried to save the animal, but in vain. What happened to Noor Jehan? Noor Jehan's death at the age of 17 is heartbreaking as she was an African elephant whose average lifespan is 60 to 70 years. She had many more years to live. She recently underwent emergency treatment for a tumour which had crippled her back legs. She became trapped in her enclosure's pool during her recovery period. The animal charity welfare stated that zoo workers hauled out the 3.5-tonne pachyderm but she could not stand and lay stricken for nine days, "a life-threatening situation for elephants". The statement further noted that experts were even considering euthanasia but before a decision was taken "she succumbed to her critical condition". Four Paws, an international animal welfare organisation, said, "After fighting for 9 days, she succumbed to her critical condition. She spent too long lying on the ground – a life-threatening situation for elephants." The Austria-based animal organisation had been advising local and international veterinarians on her treatment. The animal welfare also tweeted that Jehan's story was a "reminder of the suffering that captive wild animals endure in Pakistan and around the world. We hope that the authorities in Pakistan will take this as an example and do better for captive wild animals in the future." State of zoos in Pakistan Viral images of Noor Jehan helplessly lying on her side when she was unwell were heartbreaking and also led to widespread criticism of the zoo authorities. It also led to reports in the local media that Karachi Zoo may be shut down permanently. Four Paws said it may be a watershed moment for the well-being of wild animals in captivity in the South Asian nation. The campaigners pushing to close the wildlife show in southern Karachi city highlighted Noor Jehan's misery as evidence of Pakistani zoos' disregard for animal welfare. Media reports of several deadly incidents underline the poor state of zoos across the country. Noor Jehan's incident is not the first one: two lions died of asphyxiation in recent years in Pakistan when keepers used smoke to try to lure them out of their den. Several white tiger cubs have also died. A report in 2019 claimed that some 206 birds and 76 other animals died in 2017, while 122 birds and 45 other animals died in 2018. Multiple deaths were also reported in the Peshawar Zoo since it was inaugurated in February 2018. Earlier this month, the director of the Karachi Zoo was fired due to reports of neglect. A court ordered the closure of the Islamabad Zoo in 2020 - the same zoo where the elephant Kaavan was kept. In March, Karachi Zoo's Golden Tabby tiger died at 21 and according to sources, the animal had been ill for a long time and apparently failed to receive proper care. During the entire Noor Jehan saga, Four Paws veterinarian Amir Khalil said that Karachi Zoo did not meet international standards. He also urged that Madhubala, the healthy elephant remaining at the zoo, be relocated to avert a second tragedy. The vet urged to provide Madhubala with a more species-appropriate place and give her a chance at a better life. What's happening at the Karachi Zoo? A report published last month mentioned that zoos across the nation suffer maintenance issues. Reports have emerged of food and staff shortages at a zoo in Karachi city. The animals kept there are said to be malnourished and living in cramped enclosures. Pakistan is currently in the grip of an extreme economic crisis, burdened with external debt totaling more than $115 billion, surging inflation, and weak development prospects, among other issues. The dire state of the economy has an impact not only on humans but also on animals as reports of animal food shortages at Karachi Zoo sparked outrage on social media platforms and among animal rights advocates. Reports noted that the zoo encompasses 43 acres of land and houses 750 animals and birds in 117 separate cages. Tipu Sharif, an animal rescuer who visited Karachi Zoo multiple times, described the zoo habitat as "unsatisfactory". The zoo was founded during British colonial authority. Sharif told Deutsche Welle: "They are malnourished. The management does not have adequate resources to feed them and the food that is supplied to the animals is of not excellent quality. The animals don't have the right kind of space for the type of animals that they are." Lack of funds and shortage of staff The DW report also mentioned that the zoo also appears to be facing a staff shortage. A zoo employee told Germany's state-owned broadcaster on the condition of anonymity that the zoo has only 14 keepers to feed animals, take care of them and clean cages. Officials at the zoo say the animals are suffering because there are no adequate funds. A report by the news agency PTI quoted one official as saying: "What can we do without a proper budget? The money generated is not enough to feed all the animals properly and keep the zoo neat and clean." Several other reports have also highlighted the cruelty shown by the zookeepers and the administration of the Karachi Zoo towards the animals. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: Dying animals, lack of funds - distressing state of Pakistan zoos

An ailing elephant at Pakistan's Karachi Zoo might be euthanised after it collapsed in its pen last week and has since failed to stand up. According to a report by the news agency AFP on Wednesday (April 19), 17-year-old Noor Jehan, an African elephant, had undergone an emergency treatment for a tumour on April 5.

An ailing elephant at Pakistan's Karachi Zoo might be euthanised after it collapsed in its pen last week and has since failed to stand up. According to a report by the news agency AFP on Wednesday (April 19), 17-year-old Noor Jehan, an African elephant, had undergone an emergency treatment for a tumour on April 5. However, she collapsed days later and has lain stricken on its side. Jehan's fate now lies with a committee waiting for the arrival of Amir Khalil, the Austria-based chief vet of Four Paws International- an animal charity. Khalil had led the team that treated Jehan for the tumour. ALSO READ | Pakistan's economic crisis forces closure of Karachi zoo full of sick, underfed animals Speaking to AFP, Khalil said he wanted to have one last try at helping the elephant recover. With Jehan's condition remaining critical and uncertain, Khalil said the focus would likely shift to Noor Jehan's pen pal, Madhubala, with the hope of finding her better accommodation. "We will do what we can for Noor Jehan but really we need to move the other animal," the chief vet added. Kanwar Ayub, the director of Karachi Zoo, meanwhile, said "We will fight till the last for her recovery, and the rest is in the hands of Allah." Ayub added that the zoo was diligently following the instructions of Four Paws International for Jehan's treatment. Zoos in Pakistan have been frequently accused of disregarding animal welfare. In 2019, the Islamabad Zoo was closed after drawing international condemnation for its treatment of an Asian elephant named Kaavan. Later, the elephant was airlifted to retirement in Cambodia in a project spearheaded by US popstar Cher and carried out by Four Paws International. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan: Ailing Karachi zoo elephant may be euthanised after collapsing

Pakistan is close to shutting down a famous zoo in the port city of Karachi due to its lack of capacity to take care of the wild animals kept there. The development came after a 17-year-old elephant named Noor Jehan became severely sick due to inadequate care and treatment by the zoo authorities.

Noor Jehan was born in the wild 17 years ago, and was shipped from Tanzania to Pakistan later. The elephant, as per latest reports, continues to be immobile and requires immense care to be fed and washed.&nbsp;

Following the public outcry, Pakistan's Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman urged the provincial Sindh government to close down the zoo due to its lack of capacity to care for the wild animals.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;Foreign vets rush to Pakistan to save an ailing elephant | Inside South Asia

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The provincial government has now said that it will shift the animals kept in the zoo to 'safer places'.

But so far, reports in the Pakistani media suggest that the shifting of animals is yet to take place. On social media, the visuals of animals kept in the zoo, have gone viral.

In one of the pictures, crocodiles are seen soaking up the sun at the zoo. But their bodies remain splattered with blood-red spots because paan and gutka-consuming visitors of the zoo spat on them, The News reported.&nbsp;

In others, young lions appear unfed and undernourished.

Not just in Pakistan but throughout the world, the existence of zoos has been a matter of contention between authorities and the animal rights activists. This is majorly because of the captor-abuser notions associated with zoos.

But in Pakistan, the cause of zoo closure is not ethical but rather financial.&nbsp;

"Please close down Karachi Zoo. Zoos should be banned, specially in a country where we don't have money to feed and care for humans, no one is bothered about the voiceless, helpless animals. Animals do not belong in cages. What Noor Jehan has gone through is inhumane torture," Zunaira Khan, a research analyst, wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;

Amid skyrocketing inflation, political conflict between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, and surging terrorism, Pakistan is facing a disastrous economic outlook due to its massive external debt obligations. This financial crunch of unprecedented proportions has come to affect every visible aspect of the country, including&nbsp;wildlife.

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Pakistan is close to shutting down a famous zoo in the port city of Karachi due to its lack of capacity to take care of the wild animals kept there. The development came after a 17-year-old elephant named Noor Jehan became severely sick due to inadequate care and treatment by the zoo authorities.

Pakistan is close to shutting down a famous zoo in the port city of Karachi due to its lack of capacity to take care of the wild animals kept there. The development came after a 17-year-old elephant named Noor Jehan became severely sick due to inadequate care and treatment by the zoo authorities. Noor Jehan was born in the wild 17 years ago, and was shipped from Tanzania to Pakistan later. The elephant, as per latest reports, continues to be immobile and requires immense care to be fed and washed. Following the public outcry, Pakistan's Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman urged the provincial Sindh government to close down the zoo due to its lack of capacity to care for the wild animals. ALSO READ | Foreign vets rush to Pakistan to save an ailing elephant | Inside South Asia × The provincial government has now said that it will shift the animals kept in the zoo to 'safer places'. But so far, reports in the Pakistani media suggest that the shifting of animals is yet to take place. On social media, the visuals of animals kept in the zoo, have gone viral. In one of the pictures, crocodiles are seen soaking up the sun at the zoo. But their bodies remain splattered with blood-red spots because paan and gutka-consuming visitors of the zoo spat on them, The News reported. In others, young lions appear unfed and undernourished. Not just in Pakistan but throughout the world, the existence of zoos has been a matter of contention between authorities and the animal rights activists. This is majorly because of the captor-abuser notions associated with zoos. But in Pakistan, the cause of zoo closure is not ethical but rather financial. "Please close down Karachi Zoo. Zoos should be banned, specially in a country where we don't have money to feed and care for humans, no one is bothered about the voiceless, helpless animals. Animals do not belong in cages. What Noor Jehan has gone through is inhumane torture," Zunaira Khan, a research analyst, wrote on Twitter. Amid skyrocketing inflation, political conflict between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, and surging terrorism, Pakistan is facing a disastrous economic outlook due to its massive external debt obligations. This financial crunch of unprecedented proportions has come to affect every visible aspect of the country, including wildlife. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan's economic crisis forces closure of Karachi zoo full of sick, underfed animals

A team of Austrian veterinarians has performed a surgery on a female elephant in the port city of Karachi, relieving her of lingering pain caused by a broken tusk infection.

Elephant at Karachi zoo treated for an infected tusk

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Karachi Zoo, News on Karachi Zoo, stories on Karachi Zoo, articles on Karachi Zoo, Karachi Zoo stories at Wion, Karachi Zoo news, Karachi Zoo latest news

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Explained: Dying animals, lack of funds - distressing state of Pakistan zoos

Pakistan: Ailing Karachi zoo elephant may be euthanised after collapsing

Pakistan's economic crisis forces closure of Karachi zoo full of sick, underfed animals

Elephant at Karachi zoo treated for an infected tusk