Ali Zaidi criticises Sindh govt for ‘beyond pathetic’ conditions of Karachi Zoo

KARACHI: Taking notice of the death of a rare white lion, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi criticised the provincial government on Thursday for the ‘beyond pathetic’ conditions of the Karachi Zoo.

“Sindh government has destroyed it [Karachi Zoo] as their whole system is marred by corruption,” the federal minister said in a tweet.

He further offered that if the Sindh government was incapable of running the zoo, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs could take it over under one of its ports foundations, “convert it into a top habitat for wildlife and a destination point for the city.”

Karachi Zoo is beyond pathetic. Sindh Govt has destroyed it as their whole system is marred by corruption. If they can’t run it, @MaritimeGovPK offers to take it over under one of our ports foundations, convert it into a top habitat for wildlife & a destination point for the city

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— Ali Haider Zaidi (@AliHZaidiPTI) November 25, 2021

A day earlier, Administrator Karachi Murtaza Wahab sought a report from the authorities over the death of a rare white lion kept in the Karachi Zoo.

According to Karachi Metropolitan Corporation Spokesman Ali Hassan Sajid, the lion had been ill for the last 13 days and was suffering from Pulmonary TB. He added that despite the efforts of the veterinarians the lion could not recover and died due to his illness.

The lion was between 14 to 15 years old and was brought to the Karachi Zoo from Africa in 2012.

Read more: Chronic diarrhea kills African Giraffe at Peshawar Zoo

A team of veterinarians performed an autopsy on the lion and collected details about illness and death. According to veterinarians, the lion also had pneumonia and the lion’s lungs had stopped working.

Administrator Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that he was saddened to learn of the death of the white lion.

“Strict disciplinary action will be taken against the zoo management if any negligence is found after the cause of death of the lion has come to light,” he said.

In 2012, a new glass enclosure was built on the occasion of the arrival so that the citizens visiting Karachi Zoo can see the lion.