KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the formation of a new committee to inspect zoos across the province and recommend steps for improvement, including the possibility of returning exotic animals to their natural habitats.
A two-judge bench, comprising Justice Mohammad Iqbal Kalhoro and Justice Syed Fiaz-ul-Hassan Shah, invited suggestions on gradually phasing out zoos in Sindh. The decision came during a hearing on a petition to shift Rano, a lone female bear, from Karachi Zoological Gardens to the Bear Sanctuary in Islamabad.
The court noted that Rano had already been moved to Islamabad on November 5 following earlier court orders. However, the bench expanded the scope of the petition from Rano alone to the welfare of all animals kept in zoos.
Sindh Wildlife Conservator Javed Ahmed Mahar proposed that the committee include the municipal commissioner, forest and wildlife secretary, wildlife conservator, and KMC’s senior director of zoos.
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The petitioner, represented by Mohammad Jibran Nasir, suggested adding philanthropist Ava Ardeshir Cowasjee, Dr Uzma Khan from WWF Pakistan, Advocate Nazia Hanjrah, Zhalay Sarhadi, and animal rights activist Jude Allen Preira to the committee. The court ordered the committee to include all these members.
The bench directed the committee to co-opt experts in relevant fields to visit zoos in the province, identify issues, suggest short-term improvements, and recommend long-term measures, including returning exotic animals to their natural habitats.
The court also noted that during an earlier visit to Karachi Zoo, the committee found all medical equipment out of order. The Zoo Director, Aklaq Ahmed Yousufzai, assured the bench that faulty equipment would be replaced immediately and veterinarians would be outsourced for animal care.
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The hearing was adjourned to November 21. In earlier directions, the court had asked the committee to prepare a detailed report on the number of animals, their health, living conditions, and whether they were native or exotic.
The SHC emphasized that the issue concerns not just one bear but hundreds of animals kept in captivity primarily for public entertainment, and the court will examine the overall concept of keeping animals in zoos.
