When a’sher’ (typically a tiger) is brought to a PML-N political rally, or when a sedated cub is presented at a wedding (bizarre but factual), or when animal protection organisations’ pleas for cash are disregarded, the concept of animal rights takes a knock.
Some say that in a culture where humans have been lynched to death, empathy for animals is impossible. However, both the government and the public must be reminded that individuals who are unable to speak for themselves must be protected without hesitation.
In this regard, Sherry Rehman, Minister of Climate Change, and the CITES Management Authority Board should be commended for their decision to prohibit the import of exotic mammals.
The minister is correct in stating that confining such animals in inadequate settings results in their premature death and suffering.
CITES is a treaty drafted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 1963 and ratified by Pakistan in 1976 that requires humans, as the most powerful beings on Earth, to safeguard endangered animals and flora. In Pakistan, we need fewer private zoos and more education on animal rights and protection.
Multiple animal deaths have occurred in our zoos. Kaavan, the heartbreakingly renowned as the “world’s loneliest elephant,” was just granted permission to leave the Islamabad zoo and relocate to Cambodia. After losing his only buddy Saheli to gangrene in 2012, 36-year-old Kaavan had been living a dismal
single existence in Islamabad’s Marghazar Zoo — usually in chains.
Experiments with animals that are not technically scientifically essential have also been reported recently at universities across the country.
Whether it’s a stray dog outside a building, an elephant from Sri Lanka, or a brown bear from Jordan, we need to raise much more awareness about animal rights and how we can protect them from the unremitting violence they endure in our society.
At the very least, we urge our political parties to cease exploiting animals as props; in this regard,
the PML-N — whatever’sher’ the party names itself – ought to convey a clear message to its people.
The climate change minister has taken a positive step forward.
We expect that now that the legislation is in place, private zoos will be liquidated as a first step, and exotic animal imports will be strictly prohibited.
Given our failure to care animals in a reasonable and humane manner, even public-sector zoos may need to be shut down or regulated far more rigorously in the future.
Some say that in a culture where humans have been lynched to death, empathy for animals is impossible.
However, both the government and the public must be reminded that individuals who are unable to speak for themselves must be protected without hesitation.
