Safari Park elephant Sonia contracts serious infection

Following the case of elephant Noor Jahan, her sister Sonia has also contracted a serious infection at Karachi's Safari Park. 

It emerged on Wednesday that African elephant Sonia, aged between 17 and 19 years, has been suffering from swelling in her legs for a week, with no improvement seen despite treatment. 

The affected area has become bigger, similar to what happened with Noor Jahan. 

According to sources, the park administration had tried several local remedies, but nothing had worked so far. 

Syed Amjad Hussain Zaidi, Safari Park Director, attempted to concede it, saying she had been ill for some time but was recovering now. 

He attributed the swelling to a lack of available space for her free movement. Zaidi said that, on the recommendation of Four Paws experts, they have extended the area to seven acres, and sanctuary work is ongoing, and expected to be completed within a month. 

Katharina Braun, a spokesperson for Four Paws International, said: "They are currently waiting for test results; once they know more, they can advise on a treatment for Sonia and decide on the next steps." 

Sonia, earlier named Sonu, a female elephant initially believed to be male by Safari Park staff, was captured along with three other elephants from Tanzania in 2009, at a very young age.