An elephant named Sonia died of apparent heart failure at a Pakistani safari park, less than two weeks after being reunited with her sister. Sonia, who was almost 19, had lived in Karachi since 2009 and was recently reunited with her sister Madhubala, who was transferred from Karachi Zoological Garden to be with her family. Madhubala had been separated from her sisters Sonia and Malika for about 15 years. The director of the safari park stated that the results of Sonia’s post-mortem would be shared in the coming days.
Pakistan has faced issues with elephants in captivity in the past. Noor Jehan, another elephant brought to Karachi with three others over a decade ago, died in April 2023 following a medical procedure. In 2020, Kaavan, known as the “world’s loneliest elephant,” was sent to a Cambodian sanctuary after years of being alone in a zoo in Pakistan. Cher had campaigned for his rescue and supported efforts to transfer him.
This recent death adds to the troubled history Pakistan has had with elephants in captivity. Investigations into Sonia’s death are ongoing, and more information about the cause will be provided in the future.
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