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Sindh High Court Orders Rano’s Transfer to Islamabad Sanctuary, Calls Full Audit of Karachi Zoo

The bench set firm progress deadlines, signaling openness to replacing poorly run zoos with national parks.

Overview

  • Sindh wildlife officials say preparations are underway to move the Himalayan brown bear Rano under the supervision of Conservator Javed Ahmed Mahar to an Islamabad Wildlife Management Board sanctuary.
  • A Karachi Metropolitan Corporation lawyer told the court the bear will be shifted to Islamabad first and later to Gilgit for rehabilitation, with training and transport arranged by road or air.
  • The court directed a comprehensive report on every animal at Karachi Zoo, including physical and psychological health, enclosure conditions, staff qualifications, and contingency plans if facilities are found inadequate.
  • Judges sharply criticized zoo management, noting limited veterinary capacity and poor spending priorities, and they expanded a government committee’s mandate to assess the broader zoo conditions.
  • The case was adjourned for two weeks with orders for a progress update, following reports that Rano exhibited stress behaviors and sustained a maggot-infested head wound that officials described as self-inflicted.