Lahore Zoo Gets Two Giraffes From South Africa

A pair of giraffes arrived at Lahore Safari Park from South Africa on Saturday, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced.

The arrival ends an eight-year absence of giraffes from Lahore’s public enclosures and restores activity to a previously deserted giraffe enclosure at the city zoo.

Three years ago a male giraffe died, leaving its female companion alone, officials said, and the new pair will allow visitors to once again view the species in Lahore.

Authorities said the transfer follows the lifting of a two-year ban on animal imports that had been imposed over concerns about zoo conditions.

Officials credited nearly 18 months of reforms in the province’s wildlife and zoo management for meeting international standards and restoring global confidence to resume such transfers.