Activists Fight for Madhubala: Karachi's Captive Elephant's Struggle for Survival

Jude Allen, a dedicated animal caregiver, recounts the heartbreaking loss of Noor Jehan, a 17-year-old African elephant at Karachi Zoo. He spent her final days massaging her legs, tending to her bedsores, and staying by her side until her death on April 22, 2023. Noor Jehan's suffering profoundly impacted Allen, leading him to quit his corporate job without a backup plan. Now, three years later, he channels his grief into advocating for Madhubala, Noor Jehan's sister, who is also facing severe health challenges. Allen is part of a coalition of Pakistani and international activists and veterinarians striving to save Madhubala, who they believe is a victim of both medical neglect and a systemic failure to provide adequate care and facilities for captive animals.

In 2009, four elephant calves, allegedly acquired through a trader, were brought to Pakistan from Tanzania. Noor Jehan and Madhubala were housed at Karachi Zoo, while their sisters, Sonia and Malika, were moved to the larger Karachi Safari Park. The plight of captive animals in Pakistan gained national attention in 2020 with the story of Kaavan, an Asian elephant who spent 35 years in Islamabad, eight of them in isolation after his companion Saheli's death. The international animal welfare organization Four Paws facilitated Kaavan's relocation to a sanctuary in Cambodia. This event also brought attention to the Karachi elephant sisters. Allen, who was assisting a friend with an animal shelter, connected with Four Paws and began working with Noor Jehan and Madhubala.

By 2021, Noor Jehan suffered from a severe tusk infection, malnutrition, and stress. Despite the efforts of Allen and other activists, they could not save her. However, her passing ignited a broader campaign for the welfare and justice of captive animals in Karachi, a bustling metropolis of 20 million people. Madhubala, named after a famous Indian film actress, became the focal point. As the sole African elephant at the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation-run zoo, she exhibited distress, banging her head against her enclosure and showing signs of loneliness. Allen emphasizes her need for companionship.

With the support of Four Paws, Allen helped prepare Madhubala for a move to Safari Park to reunite with her sisters, Sonia and Malika. An assessment by Four Paws revealed the elephants required improved diets, enrichment, and medical care, leading to a recommendation for reunification. The siblings were reunited at Safari Park in November 2024. However, tragedy struck again on December 8, when Sonia died at approximately 19 years old after collapsing. While initially attributed to heart failure by the park's director, Four Paws later identified a severe bacterial infection linked to an advanced foot abscess. Amir Khalil, a Four Paws wildlife veterinarian involved in the elephants' care, suggested that such infections develop over time and linked Sonia's death to prolonged inadequate living conditions and malnutrition. Both Madhubala and Malika were diagnosed with tuberculosis; however, recent veterinary reports indicate Madhubala is no longer testing positive.

Madhubala, now 22, is in recovery after significant weight loss and weakness. Dr. Khalil, who has extensive experience rescuing wildlife from conflict zones, is overseeing her rehabilitation. He reports that Madhubala has regained 85 percent of her mobility and is a cooperative patient, responding well to treatments such as high-pressure water massage and medication. He noted improvement in her wounds before his departure from Pakistan.

Allen's commitment began with Noor Jehan, whom he visited daily at the zoo, ensuring she received adequate food. During her final 10 days, he was a constant presence, assisting the medical team. Noor Jehan's death spurred the creation of the "I Am Noor Jehan" movement, which Allen leads to advocate for captive animals. The Pakistan Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), in collaboration with "I Am Noor Jehan," organized a memorial event. Preparing Madhubala for transport required patience, as she could be aggressive and difficult to approach. Four Paws specialists aided Allen in understanding her needs, but relocation delays caused frustration. Allen introduced football to Madhubala, an unconventional approach that helped build trust. He describes how she engaged with the ball, teasing caretakers, which ultimately improved her responsiveness to training. Earning her trust was a significant achievement for Allen, especially given his belief that Noor Jehan and Sonia could have been saved if concerns about their declining health, which he had raised with local authorities, had been acted upon more effectively. He expressed feeling he had betrayed Sonia.

The deaths of two of the four elephants raise critical questions about the resources, expertise, and accountability in managing wild animals in public institutions. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab stated that the Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) has not acquired new animals in two decades and that the elephants were brought in long before his tenure. He expressed willingness to collaborate with animal welfare organizations. Wahab asserted that KMC had done its best for Madhubala, with Dr. Khalil and other veterinarians involved, and that external assessments supported their efforts. However, Allen expressed disappointment with Safari Park, where Madhubala was moved. He claims that despite his involvement in designing her new enclosure, the facility operates more like a zoo, with visitors interacting closely with the animals. Javed Maher, the chief wildlife official for Sindh province, emphasized the need for elephants to be in their natural habitats and for caretakers to possess specialized knowledge. He offered larger rural areas for the elephants but noted that Karachi Zoo and similar facilities are ill-equipped. The elephants remain at Safari Park, which, according to Four Paws, has an elephant enclosure of approximately 14 hectares (35 acres).

A 2020 landmark judgment by former Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah affirmed animals' rights, a ruling that facilitated the relocation of Kaavan and two Himalayan bears. The Islamabad zoo was subsequently closed. Minallah stated that this judgment remains the law and implies Madhubala has the right to an environment that meets her social, behavioral, and psychological needs. The article acknowledges the real challenges faced by officials, including Pakistan's economic hardships and the long-term obligations associated with caring for animals. However, analysts argue that these difficulties underscore the importance of ceasing to keep animals in captivity. Allen last saw Madhubala on October 8, noting her distractibility around crowds but also her possessiveness of his attention, sometimes playfully throwing rocks.