Foreign Veterinary Team Intensifies Care for Ailing Elephant in Karachi

A foreign veterinary expert team is caring for Madhubala, an African elephant at Safari Park in Karachi, Pakistan, after her health continued to deteriorate.

The park called in outside specialists, including Egyptian veterinarian Dr Amir Khalil, as Madhubala underwent prolonged treatment for tuberculosis and developed several additional health problems.

Health problems and treatment

Khalil said Madhubala had lost more than 200 kilograms and suffered significant muscle loss. He also described swelling in one of her legs, along with wounds affecting her nail and foot.

According to Khalil, Madhubala had bacterial and parasitic infections. After three weeks of intensive treatment, however, her blood results had improved and tests showed no bacterial or parasitic infection.

“We started very intensive treatment with the colleagues here. We are now, after three weeks, the blood results are improved. There is no bacterial and no parasitic infection,” Khalil said.

He also stressed the importance of following the medication plan, saying that a “strict protocol of medication is very important.”

Madhubala reportedly collapsed twice inside her enclosure in recent weeks, according to the source report. The medical findings and reports of the collapses were presented by the treatment team and were not independently verified in the supplied information.

Veterinarian says there is still hope

Despite the elephant’s condition, Khalil said the team should continue its efforts.

“We should not give up. We are here not because we give up, because we see there is hope and there is teamwork, which I appreciate so much from the team here,” he said.

The treatment comes as animal rights activists raise broader concerns about keeping wildlife in captivity. Activist Jade Allen criticised the practice, saying, “Captivity is a very bad thing, especially for wildlife.”

Allen called for animals to remain in their natural surroundings rather than being kept in zoos or private farmhouses.

“Animals should be kept in their natural environment instead of keeping them in zoos or any private farmhouses,” she said.

Madhubala remains at Safari Park while the foreign veterinary team continues caring for her.