Karachi: Long-time resident of Safari Park, female elephant Sonia, passed away unexpectedly. Her lifeless body was found in her enclosure this morning. Initial reports suggest a heart attack as the likely cause, pending confirmation after the post-mortem.
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab expressed grief, calling Sonia’s death a significant loss for the park. The post-mortem, supervised by veterinary expert Dr. Amir Khalil, will be completed in two days.
Previously known as Sonu, Sonia was mistakenly identified as male for 12 years. She was captured from Tanzania at a young age.
With Sonia’s death, only two elephants, Malika and Madhubala, remain at Safari Park. Madhubala was recently relocated from Karachi Zoo to provide her with a more natural environment.
This incident highlights the need for improved care and protection of wildlife in captivity.
