Plea demands elephant at zoo

LAHORE: Non-availability of an elephant at Lahore Zoo for two years has been challenged in the Lahore High Court through a writ petition and the court on Tuesday sought replies from Punjab government and zoo director.

Fawad Mughal, a citizen, filed the petition and pleaded that thousands of people visited the zoo every month and the elephant was the major attraction for them, particularly children were crazy about it. But the female elephant, Suzi, had died two years ago and the zoo administration had failed to bring a new elephant so far. He argued that zoo was also facing decrease in collection of revenue due to non-obtainability of an elephant, a great source of amusement for visitors.

He requested the court to direct the Punjab government and the zoo administration to purchase a new elephant to restore zoo festivity. After hearing preliminary arguments, Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti issued notices to respondents and directed them to furnish replies by 10 days.