Elephant Sonia’s postmortem exam conducted

Led by Dr Ghulam Mustafa of Lahore’s University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s (KMC) staff on Monday conducted a post-mortem examination of the elephant Sonia.

The tusker had died at the Safari Park a day earlier. Dr Mustafa and the KMC staff collected samples from various parts of Sonia’s body to ascertain the cause of her sudden death. The long-time Safari Park resident had faced a sudden death in the early hours of Sunday. The facility’s staff found her body lying lifeless in the enclosure she was being kept in.

Safari Park Director Syed Amjad Hussain Zaidi said the probable reason for her death may be a heart attack. However, he added, the actual reason would only be ascertained after a post-mortem examination.

Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab ordered an investigation into Sonia’s sudden death. He stressed that a thorough inquiry would be conducted to determine the cause of death. If negligence on the part of officers or staff is found, strict action will be taken against those responsible, he warned.

He instructed the senior director of recreation to gather comprehensive details about the food provided to Sonia, and confirm if it adhered to the required standards. He expressed grief over the tragic news of the death of Sonia, one of the three elephants at the Safari Park. “The protection, proper feeding and well-being of animals at the Karachi Zoo and the Safari Park are our responsibility.”

He made the assurance that any lapse by officials or staff would result in disciplinary action. He reiterated his commitment to transparency, pledging to share the findings of the investigation with the public and the media.

Previously named Sonu, the tusker was mistaken as a male by the Safari Park for 12 years until the animal welfare organisation Four Paws examined it in 2021. She had been captured from the wild in Tanzania when she was very young with three other female elephants. With Sonia’s death, the Safari Park has been left with only two elephants: Malika and Madhubala.