Two elephants in Karachi’s Safari Park, Madhubala and Malka, have been found to be in poor health according to a medical examination conducted by the international animal protection organization Four Paws. There has been a pressing need for immediate action to safeguard the animals and park employees after the examination revealed protein deficiencies and evidence of tuberculosis (TB) bacteria.
In February, the Four Paws group and other area vets were under the direction of Dr. Ameer Khalil and performed extensive testing. They found evidence of Mycobacterium complex, which is linked to tuberculosis, and low protein levels in elephants. Even though the elephants don’t seem sick right now, there has to be a lot of care taken because tuberculosis is a zoonotic disease that may transfer from animals to humans.
Improved diets to address the protein deficit and daily health monitoring have been proposed by the team. Better cleaning and disinfection procedures were recommended as a means to avoid the spread of tuberculosis. Depending on the severity of tuberculosis, caregivers may need specialized training, and the treatment process could last up to 18 months.
In spite of the difficulties, these measures are essential for the well-being of the elephants and the protection of the park staff.
