Bear ‘Rano’ airlifted from Karachi to Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The female bear “Rano” was shifted from the Karachi Zoo on the directives of the Sindh High Court to Islamabad, consequently ordering authorities to take all precautionary measures for safe shifting to a more suitable habitat.

Before being transported, Rano was placed in a special transport cage where veterinary experts carefully assessed her health, feeding, and behavior.

She was then airlifted from Karachi’s Faisal Airbase to Islamabad aboard a C-130 aircraft under the supervision of wildlife officials.

According to officials, this shifting is the first phase in Rano’s journey. She will be taken to forests in Gilgit-Baltistan in the second phase, where she would live in a semi-wild environment that is better suited to her natural habitat.

Rano, believed to be around seven years old, was one of the most spoken-about animals at the Karachi Zoo. Over time, she raised much public concern as reports continuously brought to light the dismal living conditions and an overall lack of adequate facilities within the zoo to house large animals.

Animal rights activists had repeatedly appealed for her transfer to a sanctuary where she could get proper care and freedom of movement.

Taking notice of these complaints, the Sindh High Court earlier this year directed the Sindh Wildlife Department and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation to arrange her relocation.

Rano’s case is the latest in a string of similar incidents in Pakistan, where courts and animal welfare organizations have intervened to help improve conditions for captive animals.

The most prominent case was that of Kaavan, the Asian elephant from Islamabad Zoo, who was moved to Cambodia in 2020 after years of public campaigning and judicial intervention.