Sonia, African elephant passes away at Karachi Safari Park

Sonia, one of Karachi Safari Park's beloved African elephants, passed away unexpectedly, park officials confirmed on Sunday. 

According to details, staff discovered Sonia's body early in the morning, and she appeared healthy prior to her death, consuming her usual diet without any signs of distress.

A post-mortem examination will determine the cause of her sudden demise.

Sonia’s death follows the earlier passing of Noor Jehan, a 17-year-old African elephant at Karachi Zoo.

Noor Jehan underwent emergency treatment for a tumor in April but faced complications, including a fall into a pond during her recovery, which ultimately led to her demise. 

Noor Jehan had been under the care of international experts and the animal welfare organization FOUR PAWS, which highlighted the dire conditions of elephants in captivity in Pakistan.

The four African elephants—Sonia, Malika, Noor Jehan, and Madhubala—were brought to Karachi in 2009 after being captured in the wild at a young age.

In 2021, an assessment by FOUR PAWS revealed that all four elephants required significant medical care and improved living conditions. Noor Jehan and Madhubala were found to have dental infections needing urgent attention.

Following the deaths of Noor Jehan and now Sonia, Madhubala remains the last surviving African elephant in Karachi Zoo.

The loss of Sonia and Noor Jehan underscores the urgent need for reforms in the management and care of captive wildlife in Pakistan.