Back in 2021, FOUR PAWS was first asked to help the last four remaining African elephants in Pakistan. The four female elephants were taken from the wild in Tanzania at a young age and brought to Karachi. They were then separated, Madhubala and Noor Jehan were taken to Karachi Zoo, and their sisters, Sonia and Malika, to Karachi Safari Park.
In November 2021, the Sindh High Court in Pakistan asked FOUR PAWS to assess the wellbeing of the four elephants. They were all found to be in need of a proper diet, enrichment activities, and medical treatment due to issues such as broken tusks and dental problems. FOUR PAWS and the authorities in Karachi worked together to improve the situation and dental surgeries were performed to help release their pain.
The heartbreaking loss of her sister
Noor Jehan, was Madhubala’s sister and her companion for 15 years. When she passed away in 2023 after years of inappropriate keeping this left Madhubala in solitary confinement which in turn led to negative impacts on her mental and physical health.
Since then, we have been doing everything we can to get Madhubala out of the zoo and relocate her to Karachi Safari Park. FOUR PAWS has made significant adaptations and improvements to create a species-appropriate, natural environment for her where she will have more space to roam and receive better keeping conditions. Additionally, we hope she can eventually be reintroduced to her sisters, Malika and Sonia.
It’s time for a fresh start
In order to safely reunite her with her sisters Malika and Sonia and to end her solitary confinement, species-appropriate measures at Safari Park had to be implemented. We also began training Madhubala to enter the transport crate so that she would feel comfortable and safe during the relocation.
Before the crate training was integrated as a daily activity, her only mental enrichment was playing with her ‘only friend’ – an old tyre. Elephants are highly social animals that require strong family bonds for their emotional well-being so when her sister died, Madhubala lost that vital bond. The lack of companionship has significantly affected her mental health, leading to stereotypical behaviors such as head-swaying and pacing.
One step at a time
Fortunately, the crate training, which included interactions with our FOUR PAWS elephant expert and her care takers, has had a very positive effect on Madhubala’s mental health. This training is not only essential for her safe relocation but has also served as a valuable form of enrichment that keeps her active and engaged.
She has made great progress, voluntarily entering the crate and she enjoys spending time inside, as it always means she gets a generous serving of tasty treats.
After more than a year of preparation, on 26th November 2024 Madhubala will be relocated to a species-appropriate enclosure. At Karachi Safari Park, she will be able to enjoy bathing in the large natural pool, mud baths and to dust herself in various types of soil.
Madhubala has arrived safely
The moving day for Madhubala was carefully planned to account for every detail and local police forces helped to ensure the convoy moved smoothly through the busy streets of Karachi. Once Madhubala was released from the transport crate into her new enclosure, a health assessment was conducted, which showed normal responses. After a few hours of settling in, Madhubala was allowed into her new outdoor enclosure, where she began to explore with curiosity.
In the coming days, the three elephants will be closely monitored to evaluate potential opportunties for socialisation and after 15 years of separation from her sisters, Madhubala will soon be reunited with them. The three elephants will have all the time they need to bond once again in a safe environment, allowing them to thrive and flourish in their new home at Karachi Safari Park.
Reunited after 15 long years
The 26th November 2024 was an emotional day for our team in Karachi as Madhubala was finally reunited with her sisters. Sonia and Malika were immediately curious about the new arrival but Madhubala was at first more focused on her tyre — her constant companion during her lonely years at the zoo.
When the gate was opened, Sonia bravely took the first step, entering Madhubala’s side of the enclosure to meet her and Malika quickly followed. What happened next was magical as the three sisters gently touched each other with their trunks, exploring new smells and moving together with a sense of calm and friendliness. We could feel they remembered each other. They even went to the pool to drink together, and in a beautiful gesture, Madhubala offered her precious tyre to her sisters to play with.
It’s clear they are enjoying each other’s company and already feel comfortable together. Madhubala, especially, is thriving in the presence of her sisters. Our team is relieved to see that the tyre, once so emotionally significant to her, is already less relied upon now that she has her sisters by her side.
