• Dr Amir Khalil says elephant can now stand and walk, but hind-leg problem and significant weight loss remain a concern • Sri Lankan expert likely to arrive today KARACHI: Dr Amir Khalil of Four Paws — an international animal welfare organisation that has been providing support to the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) in elephant care for the past several years — has said that ailing elephant Madhubala still “has hope, as her condition has improved”. Dr Khalil, who arrived at the metropolis on Thursday, said this after he made a detailed medical assessment of Madhubala. He and Dr Buddhika Bandara, a prominent Sri Lankan wildlife health specialist and veterinarian, were called in recent days after Safari vets had so far been unable to diagnose the factors behind Madhubala’s ongoing health crisis. Speaking to Dawn about her condition, Dr Khalil said that Madhubala had suffered from multiple infections three weeks ago, but her condition had improved. “Madhubala can stand and walk now, thanks to the efforts over the last three weeks following cooperation with the team on the ground. Still, the situation regarding her hind leg and loss of [significant] weight is critical,” Dr Khalil said, emphasising that a lot needed to be done to improve her condition. “This includes [an] improved diet, administration of required medicines as well as building a treatment crush that provides stress-free access for medical procedures,” he explained, adding that there was still hope for Madhubala. About the infections she had, Dr Khalil said that the initial blood reports showed that she had several bacterial infections while her stool sample indicated a parasitic infection. “She needs to have an intensive treatment programme covering all aspects of recovery.” Sources said Dr Bandara is expected to arrive in Karachi on Friday (today). Both experts have been called in by the KMC after seeing continued deterioration in Madhubala’s condition. She reportedly collapsed twice in her enclosure in recent weeks. The sources said the foreign experts would also examine Malika, Madhubala’s companion. They are the country’s last two captive elephants. It may be recalled that Madhubala had been in solitary confinement at Karachi Zoo following the tragic death of her companion Noor Jehan, who died in 2023 after a tragic fall in her enclosure. Noor Jehan’s autopsy report released by KMC showed that she died from a severe blood parasitic infection and internal trauma combined with a lack of proper medical care. Left alone at the zoo, Madhubala was successfully relocated to Safari Park, where she was reunited with her sisters, Sonia and Malika, in November 2024, under the supervision of Four Paws. The success story of her reunion soon faded as Sonia died a month later after collapsing in her Safari enclosure. Lab reports later showed that she suffered from multiple chronic illnesses, affecting almost all vital organs, indicating prolonged neglect in her care and failure in timely diagnosis. The successive deaths of captive elephants raised public outcry, forcing the KMC to set up an 18-member body last year to look after Madhubala and Malika, both of whom were diagnosed with tuberculosis. The four female elephants had been brought to Karachi from Tanzania in 2010 at a very young age under a controversial arrangement. Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2026
Four Paws expert sees ‘hope’ for ailing elephant Madhubala
• Dr Amir Khalil says elephant can now stand and walk, but hind-leg problem and significant weight loss remain a concern • Sri Lankan expert likely to arrive today KARACHI: Dr Amir Khalil of Four Paws — an international animal welfare organisation that has been providing support to the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) in elephant care for the past several years — has said that ailing elephant Madhubala still “has hope, as her condition has improved”. Dr Khalil, who arrived at the metropolis on Thursday, said this after he made a detailed medical assessment of Madhubala. He and Dr Buddhika Bandara, a prominent Sri Lankan wildlife health specialist and veterinarian, were called in recent days after Safari vets had so far been unable to diagnose the factors behind Madhubala’s ongoing health crisis. Speaking to Dawn about her condition, Dr Khalil said that Madhubala had suffered from multiple infections three weeks ago, but her condition had improved. “Madhubala can stand and walk now, thanks to the efforts over the last three weeks following cooperation with the team on the ground. Still, the situation regarding her hind leg and loss of [significant] weight is critical,” Dr Khalil said, emphasising that a lot needed to be done to improve her condition. “This includes [an] improved diet, administration of required medicines as well as building a treatment crush that provides stress-free access for medical procedures,” he explained, adding that there was still hope for Madhubala. About the infections she had, Dr Khalil said that the initial blood reports showed that she had several bacterial infections while her stool sample indicated a parasitic infection. “She needs to have an intensive treatment programme covering all aspects of recovery.” Sources said Dr Bandara is expected to arrive in Karachi on Friday (today). Both experts have been called in by the KMC after seeing continued deterioration in Madhubala’s condition. She reportedly collapsed twice in her enclosure in recent weeks. The sources said the foreign experts would also examine Malika, Madhubala’s companion. They are the country’s last two captive elephants. It may be recalled that Madhubala had been in solitary confinement at Karachi Zoo following the tragic death of her companion Noor Jehan, who died in 2023 after a tragic fall in her enclosure. Noor Jehan’s autopsy report released by KMC showed that she died from a severe blood parasitic infection and internal trauma combined with a lack of proper medical care. Left alone at the zoo, Madhubala was successfully relocated to Safari Park, where she was reunited with her sisters, Sonia and Malika, in November 2024, under the supervision of Four Paws. The success story of her reunion soon faded as Sonia died a month later after collapsing in her Safari enclosure. Lab reports later showed that she suffered from multiple chronic illnesses, affecting almost all vital organs, indicating prolonged neglect in her care and failure in timely diagnosis. The successive deaths of captive elephants raised public outcry, forcing the KMC to set up an 18-member body last year to look after Madhubala and Malika, both of whom were diagnosed with tuberculosis. The four female elephants had been brought to Karachi from Tanzania in 2010 at a very young age under a controversial arrangement. Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2026