Karachi Zoo’s bear ‘Rano’ to be transferred to Islamabad rehabilitation centre

The long-debated issue of transferring Rano, the bear from Karachi Zoo, has been resolved as the Sindh government has handed over all related matters to the Sindh Wildlife Department, officials confirmed on Monday.

According to the Secretary of the Wildlife Department, Sindh Chief Minister has issued formal orders for Rano’s relocation to the Black Bear Rehabilitation Centre in Islamabad, which operates under the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board.

The transfer will take place in two phases. In the first phase, Rano will be shifted from Karachi Zoo to the rehabilitation centre in Islamabad, where a deputy conservator–rank officer will be appointed to oversee her care and well-being.

In the second phase, once Rano is fully rehabilitated, she will be moved to a natural habitat in Gilgit-Baltistan in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change, the department said.

Wildlife officials noted that Rano has been in captivity for a long time and is not yet ready to live in an open environment. Therefore, a special enclosure will be constructed in Gilgit-Baltistan with the help of civil society and the Climate Change Ministry to facilitate her gradual adaptation.

Until the transfer process is complete, the Conservator of the Sindh Wildlife Department will remain in constant contact with the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board, the Gilgit-Baltistan Forest Department, and the Ministry of Climate Change to ensure a smooth and safe transition for Rano.