ISLAMABAD – The unnecessary deaths and ongoing cruelty with the animals need to be stopped as many of the poor souls are dying due to the carelessness of Islamabad’s Margazhar Zoo administration.
In a tragic turn of events, a wolf got into the enclosure of the deer last month and attacked a herd, killing 5 and leaving one with very serious injuries.
The security guard who was supposed to be securing the enclosure was not on duty, prompting another staff member to shot at and kill the wolf.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/opinion/why-are-giraffes-dying-in-zoos-all-over-pakistan/
The security guard was then suspended for negligence, however, it was revealed that the fencing around the deer enclosure was not properly secured that allowed a wild animal to enter.
The visitors of the zoo continue to report that animals look lethargic with untreated injuries. They are also pacing back and forth, which is a term called “zoochosis,” – a mental illness.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/over-30-animals-die-at-peshawar-zoo-within-three-months/
The zoo also lacks adequate measures for animal protection while almost all the facilities are unnatural with no enrichment – let alone an upgrade.
Earlier it was reported that an elephant Kaavan suffered from isolation, mental illness, and was physically beaten by zoo employees.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/lahore-zoo-loses-another-big-cat-to-parasites/
In 2012, at a very young age, a 20-year-old female elephant named Saheli passed away due to animal cruelty and neglect. The mahout would offer elephant rides and photographs with Saheli to paying customers while she was continuously chained.
Zoo administration has also tried to ban media from the zoo so that the terrible conditions of the animals and facility are not exposed.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/10-year-old-simba-found-dead-in-karachi-zoo/
Hundreds of birds, zebras, ostrich, nilgai and urials have died due to cruelty or lack of care by employees.
The zoo now keeps a pair of lions apart, after reports revealed that cubs were bred and that 2 sets of cubs had died due to improper care from staff.
Last month, a critically endangered Himalayan bear died. He lived in complete misery while being isolated & neglected.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/newly-arrived-south-african-giraffe-dies-at-lahore-zoo/
The administrative control of the Islamabad Zoo was changed in 2016 from Capital Development Authority (CDA) to Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad(MCI) but there was no favour for animals of the zoo.
An online petition to shut down the zoo has been filed by the body care2, where 117,249 have signed to support the cause up till now. The animal rights activists are demanding a proper set up of the zoo located in the capital.
