KARACHI: Safari elephant Madhubala fighting multiple illnesses for over a year now faces a life-threatening medical emergency as she’s unable to stand up on her own, it emerged on Monday.
Sources said the female elephant suddenly “collapsed” on the ground on Monday morning, forcing the Safari authorities to arrange a crane to lift her up.
“Our team is supporting her with a crane’s belt to keep her standing and make small movements. At the same time, we are constantly in touch with Sri Lankan wildlife health specialist Dr Budhika Bhandara over her condition,” Safari Park Director Amjad Zaidi told Dawn.
He added that Madhubala had developed swelling on her right hind thigh that’s apparently preventing her from using her leg.
Safari Park official says the elephant has developed swelling on right hind thigh that is preventing her from using her leg
“The swelling could be the result of a fight with her companion Malika. A conclusive thing, however, could only be said once all tests including an X-ray and blood and urine tests are done, which will be carried out by our local team of experts,” he said.
About Madhubala’s illnesses, Mr Zaidi said that she had recovered well from tuberculosis after undergoing an 18-month treatment course as well as a foot infection.
“She is eating now and seems fine, otherwise,” Mr Zaidi claimed.
However, the sources described Madhubala’s condition as life-threatening.
“Madhubala is too weak now. If she fails to recover soon, her disability will seriously affect other organs of her body and may cause her death,” a senior vet feared.
Madhubala had been in solitary confinement at Karachi Zoo following the tragic death of her companion Noor Jehan who died in 2023 after a tragic fall in her enclosure.
Noor Jehan’s autopsy report released by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) showed that she died from a severe blood parasitic infection and internal trauma combined with a lack of proper medical care.
Left alone at the zoo, Madhubala was successfully relocated to Safari Park where she was reunited with her sisters, Sonia and Malika, in November 2024, under the supervision of Four Paws — an international animal welfare organisation that worked extensively with the KMC for elephant care.
The success story of her reunion faded soon as Sonia died a month later after collapsing in her Safari enclosure.
Lab reports later showed that she suffered from multiple chronic illnesses, affecting almost all vital organs, indicating prolonged neglect in her care and failure in timely diagnosis.
Successive deaths of captive elephants raised public outcry, forcing the KMC to set up an 18-member body to look after Madhubala and Malika, both of whom were diagnosed with tuberculosis.
The four female elephants were brought to Karachi from Tanzania in 2010 at a very young age under a controversial arrangement.
Published in Dawn, September 15th, 2026
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