Two elephants undergoing treatment for tuberculosis at Karachi’s Safari Park are showing positive signs of recovery, according to medical experts. The animals, Madhubala and Malika, remain under constant observation as part of a comprehensive, long-term recovery plan.
The update was shared on Friday during a press briefing by Dr. Budhika Bhandara, a wildlife health specialist from Sri Lanka. Dr. Bhandara is currently on a 17-day visit to Karachi to oversee the elephants’ treatment.
Diagnosed with TB earlier this month, the elephants were placed on an intensive treatment regimen following international veterinary protocols.
“We’re treating them very well,” Dr. Bhandara told reporters. “While the elephants are showing some clinical symptoms, they are not weak. We’ve started with an initial two-month phase of daily medication, followed by a continuation phase in line with standard procedures.”
The full treatment plan spans over a year, with a 10-month monitoring and medication phase following the initial stage. During this time, the elephants will receive continuous care and regular health evaluations every two months. Comprehensive medical screenings will also be conducted every six months. Their latest medication dose was administered 13 days ago.
To ensure a stress-free environment and reduce the risk of disease transmission, park officials have implemented strict access controls around the elephants’ enclosure. Public viewing is limited to designated buses or from a safe distance.
Dr. Bhandara, who has previously treated 15 elephants with TB, expressed optimism about the recovery of both Madhubala and Malika.
The ongoing treatment efforts come amid increased scrutiny of elephant welfare in Karachi. In 2021, the international animal welfare organization Four Paws assessed the condition of the city’s African elephants, urging urgent medical intervention, improved nutrition, and enriched living conditions.
The issue gained further prominence following the deaths of two elephants — Noor Jehan in 2023 at the Karachi Zoo and Sonia in late 2024 — which highlighted serious shortcomings in animal care practices.
In response, local authorities have taken steps to improve conditions, including forming a technical committee and strengthening collaboration with international veterinary experts.