FOUR PAWS International Reveals Plans for Madhubala’s Urgent Relocation

World-renowned vet, Dr. Amir Khalil, and his team from FOUR PAWS International are back in Karachi this year on an urgent mission – to relocate the African elephant, Madhubala, who is currently in a depressing, solitary enclosure in Karachi Zoo to Safari Park. The plan is to provide her a much-needed “species-appropriate life,” which includes reuniting her with two other female elephants – Malika and Sonia – from whom she was separated 14 years ago.

Madhubala has been languishing in her prison since the death of her companion, Noor Jehan, earlier this year.

Mission leader, Dr. Amir Khalil, revealed that his meeting on 23 August with the newly-elected Mayor of Karachi, Murtaza Wahab, resulted in the approval to start preparing for Madhubala’s relocation, which he considers “vital” as his team can now attempt to “deliver a more species-appropriate life” for her. He added that Mayor Wahab has promised he will do everything in his power to “ensure a better future for the three elephants and will support FOUR PAWS in finding sustainable solutions.”

I spoke exclusively to the team’s Field Mission Coordinator, Pia Einheimler, this morning about Madhubala’s health and the plan for her relocation.

She confirmed that “Madhubala seems physically healthy and is fit to be relocated,” and that “the improved conditions at Safari Park will be beneficial for her mental and physical health.”

However, Pia Einheimler’s insight into the elephant’s condition is heartbreaking.

“Since the death of Noor Jehan, she seems bored, sad, and depressed. She needs a companion again, as female elephants are social herd animals and suffer under solitary keeping. She shows us her ‘only friend’ – an old tire – each time we visit. Furthermore, the noise at Karachi Zoo [and with] her enclosure being directly next to the main road must be very stressful, considering that elephants have much better hearing than humans.”

According to a press release by FOUR PAWS International, the ‘solutions’ that Mayor Wahab referred to are “considerable improvements to the elephant enclosure at Safari Park.” They include the expansion of Safari Park’s grounds, the addition of waterbodies, and appropriate enrichment features and safety measures, plus the training of on-ground and management staff to create a space in which Madhubala, Malika, and Sonia can live healthily and happily together.

Pia Einheimler stated that Madhubala is expected to prosper at Safari Park.

“As enrichment, green space, a pool, a mud pond, and no traffic noise will be available for her. She deserves a good future and I cannot wait to see her at Safari Park enjoying her new life with her family – Malika and Sonia. Not being alone in solitary confinement will improve her mental health significantly,” she explained.

Pia Einheimler also confirmed that Madhubala “will get some training with positive reinforcement to get used to the crate.”

“The relocation is a high-level logistical and team effort. A crate has been built for the transport, the same as for Kavaan, and the road will be secured. After releasing her to the new enclosure, she will slowly and patiently be resocialized with her sisters with protected contact first under the supervision of the experts,” she said.

When asked why all three female elephants, who are not native to Pakistan, are being kept in Pakistan and relocated to foreign sanctuaries and allowed to have mates, Pia Einheimler mentioned that “after the mandatory improvements and safety precautions have been implemented, Safari Park will be a species-appropriate place for them. They will have much more land available and the Safari Park staff and management body will be trained to comply with safety and appropriate keeping standards.”

“We want to empower Pakistan and the people to take appropriate care of their elephants, so they can stay in the country. To relocate and shift elephants to another country is a huge complicated and financial undertaking. Reuniting the three elephants instead of transferring Madhubala out of the country is an important step towards animal welfare improvement within Pakistan,” she highlighted.

Right now, Dr. Amir Khalil and his team are focusing on preparing everything for Madhubala’s “urgently needed relocation” and to end the risk of her “being kept in solitary confinement for any longer than is necessary.”

“We will also be supporting the Task Force in future-proofing Karachi Safari Park to better suit the needs of the elephants,” he said.