Senator Sherry Rehman, the federal minister for climate change, has urged the provincial government to close the Karachi Zoo since it is unable to care for the wild animals in light of the public uproar and engagement of international organizations.
Meanwhile, the plan to permanently close the wildlife park and relocate the wild animals and birds to safer locations has the approval of Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who is also the Chairman of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP).
According to a ministry official, after receiving support from PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto and Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman, the Sindh government is likely to accept the proposal to close down the Karachi Zoo."
According to him, there have been numerous proposals to convert existing zoos into botanical gardens and centers for the rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals.
It is important to note that the Karachi Zoo's deplorable living conditions for wild animals have drawn the ire of wildlife specialists, who have called for its closure and the relocation of wild animals to sanctuaries.
Noor Jehan, a 17-year-old elephant, was the subject of attention earlier this month because of her rapidly declining health. The mammal had a successful operation last week, but because of a worrying deterioration in her condition, she was unable to fully recover.
This elephant was just one of the many animals held at the wildlife park that had developed various medical issues as a result of months of subpar care and treatment.