Karachi – In a promising development in Karachi, the two surviving elephants at Safari Park — Malika and Madhubala — have shown recovery after being diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) earlier this year.
According to Safari Park administration officials, the elephants are now 80 per cent recovered, thanks to an ongoing treatment plan overseen by a team of Sri Lankan veterinarians who have been regularly monitoring their health.
Public access to the elephants was restricted after the TB diagnosis to prevent unnecessary stress on the animals and allow uninterrupted medical care. A final decision on reopening public viewing will be made after the visiting veterinary team’s follow-up assessment scheduled for next month. Elephant lovers have expressed joy over the reports of the recovery of elephants from TB.
Background of the Elephants
Malika and Madhubala, both female elephants, were brought to Karachi from Tanzania in 2009 along with two others, Noor Jehan and Sonia. Unfortunately, Noor Jehan died in 2023 after a prolonged illness, and Sonia passed away in 2024, leaving Malika and Madhubala as the last remaining elephants at Safari Park.
Signs of Hope
Officials described the recovery as encouraging news not only for the park but also for wildlife enthusiasts across the city. They noted that the positive progress is a reflection of both the veterinary team’s dedication and the continuous support from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC).
“Both elephants have responded well to treatment, and their improving health is a hopeful sign for their future,” a park official said.
The news of Malika and Madhubala’s recovery has been widely welcomed by animal rights groups, who had raised concerns over the condition of captive elephants in Karachi after Noor Jehan’s death sparked an outcry in 2023.
If the upcoming veterinary review confirms their stable health, Safari Park officials are optimistic that visitors will once again be able to see the elephants — a major attraction for families and wildlife lovers.
