In the Belly of the Beast: Karachi’s Under‑Resourced Zoo
The sun beats down on a little steel‑caged African lioness at the Karachi Zoological Garden. Her once sleek mane now looks patchy, speckled by a fungal skin disease that can be cured if only the right care arrives.
Why this lioness looks puzzled
During a recent visit, the lioness stared blankly at the crowds outside her cage, her fur marked by a blotchy pattern that would have left a normal leopard looking bland.
The Staff Shortage Dilemma
Mayor, Mansoor Ahmed Qazi, confesses that the zoo’s veterinary workforce totals a mere two experts plus three paramedics—an achievement that falls far short of the 850+ creatures on duty.
- Lions, tigers, elephants, chimpanzees
- Birds, reptiles, exotic mammals
- Everything that has a heartbeat and demands a hand
Missing 3rd Vet: A Silent Plea
The zoo’s insiders are lobbying city officials to approve a third veterinary position. With only two doctors, the staff can’t pre‑empt illnesses or administer timely treatments.
City Council’s Priorities—In a Nutshell
While the zoo cries out for attention, the council’s focus lies elsewhere:
- Sewage systems
- Road maintenance
- Garbage disposal in a metropolis of roughly 20 million people
These pressing civic duties leave little bandwidth for funding the much-needed veterinary expansions.
WWF’s Perspective
Humaira Ayesha from the World Wild Fund for Nature emphasizes, “This is unfortunate. The zoo is understaffed and cannot provide proper care to the animals.”
Beyond Karachi: A National Issue
While Karachi’s zoo faces headline notoriety, similar staffing shortcomings ripple across wildlife facilities nationwide, highlighting an urgent systemic failure that stretches way beyond this one venue.
When a Zoo Turns Into a Dramatic Stage: Peshawar’s 30‑Animal Mystery
Did you hear the latest headline from the world of animal conservation? It’s not a royal upgrade; it’s a tragic plot twist that literally makes you pause and go, “No way, we’re missing some of our furry friends.” That’s the reality that Peshawar Zoo confronted in its early days after opening its gates in February.
Deadly Numbers: 30 Animals Gone
- On transfer or in quarantine, 30 animals have perished — and the list includes three precious snow leopard cubs that should have been the stars of the show.
- The zoo’s spokesperson, Naimat Khan, admitted that staff shortages and a lack of formal training left the animal curation crew scrambling.
Ms. Cher and the Elephant Saga
While the zoo in Peshawar writes a troubling chapter, Islamabad’s old-fashioned zoo has its own drama with Kaavan, the lone elephant who became the face of a worldwide campaign back in 2016. When it was discovered that Kaavan was locked in chains, the music superstar Cher stepped in, making sure the story didn’t end up in the dustbin of forgotten complaints.
The Age of the Law (It’s About 1890!)
The legal backdrop here is a bit ancient. The most recent animal cruelty legislation dates back to 1890, which, let’s be honest, is practically a relic. That little old law makes improving any zoo’s standards a moral and practical nightmare, said Ayesha from WWF.
Lets Summarise With Emotions
- Animals do feel and they deserve better than chaos.
- There’s a clear gap in legislation that needs a serious upgrade.
- The combined saga of Kaavan and the Peshawar zoo shows how urgently we need to step up animal welfare across the region.
Remember: if you’re reading about rats, deer, or a stubborn elephant locked in chains, it’s a call to action — not just for surgeons or music stars, but for anyone who loves our furry and feathered companions.
Karachi Zoo’s Wild Zone – Animals, Visitors and a Little Chaos
At the Karachi Zoological Gardens, the place feels a bit like a jungle mixed with a shopping mall. Tamarind, banyan and ficus trees that’ve been around for centuries still stand proudly, while shop‑keepers have taken over some of the zoo’s land.
What’s Going On?
Musings from Faheem Zaman, the former head of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, paint a vivid picture:
- “Stones and trash get tossed straight into the animals’ habitats, which is basically animal cruelty.”
Visitors are even tossing random objects into cages. One spectator threw a handkerchief laced with a steel wire at an ostrich. The bird, pretending to be a sponge, gulped it down.
- “The ostrich’s long neck suffered a major injury and we had to perform surgery,” shares Abida Raees, a zoologist and the zoo’s deputy chief.
Meanwhile, young Chimp Raju has become a connoisseur of surprise snacks. “He’ll unwrap a juice box and sip through the plastic straw,” notes Raees.
Peeking Behind the Curtains
- “We’ve asked guests not to feed the animals,” says the zoo. Yet, AFP reporters found no signage around the zoo displaying this rule.
Turning the Zoo into a Humane Haven
There’s a new plan in motion for the northwest section of the zoo. The goal? Transform it into a space that feels “more humane and animal-friendly.” This involves swapping out older enclosures for larger wet and dry areas that mirror the animals’ natural environments.
In short, Karachi Zoo is stepping up its game to give the critters a better place to thrive while keeping visitors in check. Who knew a zoo could see so many wild surprises in the middle of a city?
A Fresh Look at Karachi’s Zoo, One Pet at a Time
Meet the Trailblazer
The Renovation Roller‑Coaster
A Goodbye to the Old‑School Penn‑and‑paper Zoo
“Those Victorian ways of turning wild creatures into a toy or a gone‑with‑the‑wind bet only fawned on the audience,” Mustafa muses.“Now we’ve discovered that animals have their own feelings—loneliness, depression, and a touch of diva drama—when forced into cages that aren’t natural for them.”
The Take‑away
We’ll keep you posted as the renovations take shape—just don’t be surprised if you see a meerkat giving you a “look of judgment” when the new enclosure opens.
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