Ailing elephant Noor Jehan passes away at Karachi Zoo
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The ailing elephant, Noor Jehan, died at Karachi Zoo on Saturday after efforts by Four Paws experts and a Reikhi healer did not succeed, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Karachi administrator Dr Syed Saifur Rehman said that Noor Jehan had been suffering from fever for the last several days and veterinary doctors made their utmost efforts to save her but failed. Noor Jehan's post-mortum has also been completed to identify the reason of her death.
He further said that her treatment was made under the supervision of international animal experts. He said that a team of international animal organization, Four Paws, had also visited Karachi for the treatment of the ailing elephant.
“The KMC tried hard to save Noor Jehan. Life and death is in the hand of Allah Almighty. I am saddened at her death,” the administrator added.
Earlier this week, there were reports that Noor Jehan may be euthanized.
Official waited for the arrival of Amir Khalil, the Austria-based chief vet of animal charity Four Paws International.
Khalil, who led the team that treated Noor Jehan for the tumour, told AFP he wanted to have “one last try” at helping the pachyderm recover.
Meanwhile, Jude, a level one Reiki practitioner started Reiki for Noor Jehan.
Heartbroken to inform you that our beloved Empress Noorjehan passed away this morning.
— Quatrina (@QuatrinaHosain) April 22, 2023
Her passing was quiet and peaceful. She gently slipped away.
We mourn her and must vow that the suffering of animals will end in Pakistan.#NoorJehan
Jude is a Level 1 Reiki practitioner. Noorjehan adores him. He has started Reiki for her, as are ten remote Reiki Grandmasters.
— Quatrina (@QuatrinaHosain) April 21, 2023
I know very little about Reiki. But if it comforts her, I'm for it. I'm fully aware we must not raise false hope. But try everything that does not hurt pic.twitter.com/jng03rgF9t
Noor Jehan collapsed in its pen last week and since then failed to stand up. The 17-year-old African elephant underwent emergency treatment for a tumour in Karachi on April 5, but collapsed days later and since then lain stricken on its side.
The pitiful plight of Noor Jehan was being shared by animal rights activists on social media in Pakistan and abroad, prompting calls for the zoo to be shut down.
Video of ailing elephant, called Noor Jehan, showing her limping and struggling to stand went viral on social media in Pakistan, sparking a public outcry and calls to shut down Karachi Zoo https://t.co/mYEdZ3DRNY
— TRT World (@trtworld) April 21, 2023
Karachi Zoo director Kanwar Ayub confirmed Noor Jehan's death on Saturday and an AFP reporter saw her caretaker openly weeping outside her enclosure.
"It's very sad," said Four Paws International's Austria-based chief vet Amir Khalil. "Noor Jehan deserved a chance."
But the deceased elephant's pen pal Madhubala "should not have the same future", he told AFP, saying he plans to arrive in Pakistan on Sunday to assess her health and organise her evacuation.
"Karachi Zoo does not fulfil international standards and is not equipped to take appropriate care of elephants," the Four Paws International statement said, expressing support for a forced closure.
"It is now more urgent than ever that the remaining elephant, who is mourning her long-time companion, is transferred to a more species-appropriate location as soon as possible, to prevent another potential tragedy."
Pakistan's zoos are frequently accused of disregarding animal welfare, and in 2020 a court ordered the only facility in the country's capital to close because of its decrepit state
In 2019 Islamabad's zoo was shut down after drawing international condemnation for its treatment of an Asian elephant named Kaavan.
Kavaan was later airlifted to retirement in Cambodia in a project spearheaded by US popstar and actor Cher, and carried out by Four Paws.
Reporter Junaid Javed and input from AFP