Animals Continue to Die at Islamabad Zoo Due to Negligence of Zoo Administration

Earlier this month another tragedy took place in Islamabad Zoo. A wolf got into the deer enclosure and attacked the herd, killing 5 and leaving 1 with very serious injuries. Read more here: https://www.dawn.com/news/1424290/wolf-kills-five-deer-in-marghazar-zoos-f-8-enclosure

A passerby noticed the attack and reported this matter to the police. It's been confirmed by a chief metropolitan officer that, at the time this took place, a security guard who was supposed to be securing the enclosure was not at his post. Another staff member shot and killed the wolf.

While an inquiry is being done, the security guard has been suspended for negligence.

However this is not a solution for the BIGGER PROBLEM HERE.

• The fencing around the deer enclosure is not properly secured. It allowed a wild animal to enter.

• Visitors report animals look lethargic, with untreated injuries. They are also weaving back and forth, which is a term called "zoochosis," a mental illness.

• Media have been reporting for over a decade on the negligence and cruelty by zoo administration and that animal deaths have become routine a thing!

• Zoo lacks proper facilities for the animals (safety issues for animals & visitors)

• No wild life expert

• All exhibits are unnatural with no enrichment and never updated to a more natural environment. They are kept filthy, with little to no water

• For years, visitors, media and activists campaigned on the treatment of an endangered Asian elephant named Kaavan. His mahout made the elephant beg to earn tips from visitors by selling his food to the public to feed him. Kaavan was kept in chains for hours standing in an empty cement pool. In the past, activists who spoke up for Kaavan, saying that he suffered from isolation and mental illness, were physically beaten by zoo employees.

• 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 she was continuously chained. (This is the same mahout who was in charge of Kaavan)

• Zoo administration have tried to ban media from the zoo

• Hundreds of birds, zebras, ostrich, nilgai and urials have died due to cruelty or lack of awareness 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 all died due to improper care from staff

• Last month, a critically endangered Himalayan bear died who lived in complete misery isolated & neglected

The administration control of Islamabad zoo was changed in (2016) from Capital Development Authority (CDA) to Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI). For over a decade CDA have released statements to the media stating there will be an upgrade to Islamabad zoo to international standards and better care for animals, and now MCI is singing that same tune. There have been no improvements to Islamabad zoo just more animals have died and they keep bringing in more animals.

Proper attention was not given by former government to the management of zoos. These are sensitive animals and their needs are not being met. These unnecessary deaths and cruelty issues are ongoing.

Please sign this petition!

There's a New Prime Minister in Pakistan Imran Khan and he brings a positive message #NayaPakistan ( english translation ; New Pakistan). Laws are needed to be established for animals in captivity and how zoos should be managed with his attention on this pressing matter he can make this happen.

- Team Kaavan /Animal Welfare Worldwide
Denise Coenraadts, Diana Munoz,  Anika Sleem, Umm E. Kulsoom, Umer Inam

#TeamKaavan #IslamabadZoo #CaptivityKills #AnimalWelfareWorldWide #Pakistan #AnimalRights #Islamabad