The Sindh High Court has ordered the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) to install a new air cooler or air conditioner (AC) inside the bear enclosure of the Karachi Zoo within 48 hours.
The decision came after pictures of the bear, Rano, sparked a public outcry on social media.
Last week, residents of Karachi filed a petition, including Barrister Mohsin Shahwani, to relocate a bear cub at the Karachi Zoo. Pictures and videos of the animal had gone viral social media as it depicted the animals in a dire state, dehydrated and thirsty.
ALSO READ
Viral Photo of Bear in Karachi Zoo Invites Widespread Anger
A total of 38 people have signed the petition. Acknowledging the petitioners, the Sindh High Court formed a committee to look into the matter and suggested improvements to animal enclosures. The priority is to make sure that these exotic animals are kept in an environment that is similar to their natural habitat.
The court also expressed its anger over the poor treatment of the animal by the zoo’s employees and the fact that there is only one doctor for all animals.
The court has issued a notice to the secretary of the wildlife department and summoned the zoo’s budget and details of its employees at the next hearing.
Sindh High Court also rejected KMC’s previous report that all animals at the zoo are in good health.
“The report reads that everything is good at the zoo, but this is a lie,” the court said, adding that the condition of animals at the zoo was alarming. “The truth can be seen just by looking at the animals, but the management never says anything. These people [the management] consider animals a means for earning money.”
As for the bear seen on social media, Barrister Shahwani has demanded that Rano should be sent back to Skardu to be with its family as the bear is not native to Karachi and cannot adapt to the city’s climate.
Stay posted for more updates.
ALSO READ
Tigress at Peshawar Zoo Gives Birth to 2 Beautiful Cubs [Pictures]
