Pakistan’s Last Two Captive Elephants: Can They Survive?

Pakistan faces a critical test in protecting Pakistan’s last captive African elephants: can expert care save Madhubala and Malika after the deaths of their two sisters? The pair live at Karachi Safari Park, where medical efforts have brought hope- but no guarantee of recovery.

Madhubala’s fight to recover

Madhubala, 22, has been suffering from some serious health issues for months. Not only did she lose over 200 kilograms, but she also lost a significant amount of muscle tissue in her hind legs; wounds and swelling developed and she had trouble getting up from a lying position. Long, too, was the time spent treating her for tuberculosis, as was Malika. Later, Madhubala tested negative for the disease and it was then that it was found that the previous bacterial and parasitic infections were cleared off. Her physical frailty is still a worry.

Dr Amir Khalil, an international veterinarian from animal welfare organisation Four Paws, collaborated with local people on her treatment. Medicines, wound care, high-pressure water massage and providing green food were used, which relieved pain and helped with moving. Madhubala has recovered approximately 85 per cent of his ability to walk, according to a report on October 23. Khalil said that recovery requires ongoing medical treatment, proper nutrition and physical therapy. He said that people “should give her a chance at life and help her.” 

Two sisters are already gone

Four young female African elephants were brought from Tanzania to Karachi around 2009–10. Noor Jehan died at Karachi Zoo on April 22, 2023, after severe health problems. Madhubala was moved to Safari Park in November 2024 to join her sisters. But Sonia died on December 8, 2024, after collapsing in her enclosure. Malika and Madhubala are now Pakistan’s last two captive African elephants.

Can better care change their future?

The next step is to ensure Madhubala’s stability and regular health checks for Malika. Elephants do require specialist veterinary attention, appropriate diet, space, enrichment and constant supervision, rather than a bigger cage. Safari Park has a land mass of approximately 14 hectares, while the chief wildlife officer of Sindh has stated that 100s of acres were offered to the elephants in a rural area. But they are still at Safari Park.

An elephant has been moved to another place in Pakistan before. Kaavan was an Asian elephant kept for years in Islamabad, who was transferred to the sanctuary in Cambodia in 2020. While relocation can be possible in his case, in Malika’s case, her needs must be taken into account, and her health must be the basis for any decision.

Emergency care will not be enough to save the lives of the sisters. Authorities need to ensure that the animals are taken care of by experts, get their health status explained and enjoy a safe environment that suits their needs. Their survival will be the ultimate test for Pakistan, whether it can translate painful lessons into lasting action for the animals in its care.