Condition of brown bear in Islamabad Zoo sparks furor

As government agencies in Islamabad tussle over who is responsible for Islamabad Zoo’s management, animals are suffering and being neglected, with many falling sick. Though activists have been actively campaigning for the animals’ plight, little to none is being done to help the animals who are suffering in the hot, humid Pakistani summer.

Recently, a video of the Himalayan Brown Bear caged in Islamabad Zoo has sparked outrage and furor among activists and people alike.

The video, shared by HWO Animal Rescue, shows the bear in a deplorable condition. It is having trouble breathing and is lying listlessly in its enclosure, which doesn’t even have water.

#IslamabadZoo– Bear's condition in scorching heat. Enclosure is miserable pit hole. No fresh water, air, grass, fruit. one bear is badly injured. @zartajgulwazir @ImranKhanPTI @ClimateChangePK @pid_gov @BBhuttoZardari @BakhtawarBZ @MediaCellPPP @pmln_org @AwamiWorkers #IWMB pic.twitter.com/O6Y3GSnZOZ

— HWO Animal Rescue🌐 (@HWOAnimalRescue) July 29, 2019

HWO Animal Rescue also shared a side by side picture of a healthy brown Himalayan Bear and the one lying in the enclosure and the difference is horrifying.

See the difference @zartajgulwazir @ImranKhanPTI @PTIofficial @BBhuttoZardari @BakhtawarBZ #SaveBrownBears pic.twitter.com/GrH3QesnOp

— HWO Animal Rescue🌐 (@HWOAnimalRescue) July 29, 2019

Several people, including journalists and actors, voiced their concern for the bear and tweeted to Deputy Commissioner Islamabad to take some action.

However, the DC informed that the zoo does not come under his jurisdiction. Despite that, he broke into the zoo with the police and had the bear examined by a private vet who said that the bear was fine.

Sorry video in the previous comment wasn't visible somehow. Sharing again. https://t.co/eO6mihP6mu pic.twitter.com/IWR8fKSzy2

— Deputy Commissioner Islamabad (@dcislamabad) July 30, 2019

Meanwhile, Minister for Climate Change Zartaj Gul said that a team has been constituted by her for the complete tests, profiling, medical treatment and nutritional requirements of this bear and all other animals.

#1.directed to carry out complete tests of the bear. A team has been constituted by me(JS MOCC) yesterday for this bear and all other animals. Complete tests profiling, medical treatment and nutritional requirements are being worked out. https://t.co/qVd2XX2w3L

— Zartaj Gul Wazir (@zartajgulwazir) July 31, 2019

#2 We intervened yesterday as the Zoo is still with MCI and Ministry of Climate Change is now taking measures to better the condition of Bear. https://t.co/Mje21U5aYo

— Zartaj Gul Wazir (@zartajgulwazir) July 31, 2019

It is pertinent to mention here that there is an ongoing tussle between the Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation and the Ministry of Climate Change over the management of the zoo. After a petition was filed in the Islamabad High Court against the zoo’s management, the court had handed over management of the city’s zoo to the climate change ministry till August 29. However, the director of Marghazar Zoo is resisting the transfer and is not cooperative. He locked the gates when officials of climate change ministry went to take over control of the zoo.