KARACHI: Pakistani elephant Madhubala is suffering from the potentially fatal parasitic infection Trypanosomiasis, Egyptian veterinarian Dr. Amir Khalil confirmed on Thursday, adding that the elephant has received medication for the ailment before it reached an advanced stage. 

Named after iconic Bollywood actress Madhubala, the elephant is one of only three captive elephants in Pakistan. Madhubala was brought to Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi from Tanzania in 2009 along with three other elephants. One of the other three and a long-time companion of Madhubala, Noor Jehan, passed away last month at Karachi Zoo. 

Noor Jehan was suffering from various ailments, including the same Trypanosomiasis infection. After the elephant's demise, international animal welfare organization Four Paws called for Madhubala to be transferred to a more "species-appropriate location" urgently, saying that the Karachi Zoo is not equipped to take "appropriate care of elephants."

"Of course, the parasitic infection (Trypanosomiasis) of Madhubala, which has also been found in Noor Jehan,  spread by the tsetse fly needed immediate medical intervention," Khalil told Arab News, adding that Madhubala has received the "appropriate medication."

"Unlike Noor Jehan, however, Madhubala is lucky that she has received the correct treatment before the disease could reach an advanced fatal stage," Khalil said, adding that the FOUR PAWS team would carry out another blood screening to determine the effectiveness of the medicine on the parasite. 

Khalil said that it was the first time in decades that a detailed blood analysis of an animal at Karachi Zoo was conducted. 

"The blood parasitic infection can potentially be fatal, if not treated in time and with the right medicines, therefore a blood screening of all other animals in the zoo on Trypanosomiasis is needed," he said, adding that it is expected that other species were also infected by the parasite. 

He said FOUR PAWS is supporting the Karachi city government's efforts to build an animal sanctuary at the Safari Park, adding that city authorities committed to working with the animal welfare organization on Tuesday to relocate Madhubala to the sanctuary. 

Khalil said authorities have decided to dedicate eight hectares of land in order to fulfill the requirements of a species-appropriate sanctuary at the Safari Park. 

"The construction work for the new species-appropriate sanctuary on international standards and a night enclosure for Madhubala has already started," he said. 

"FOUR PAWS offers to support the relocation of Madhubala [by the] end of June 2023 or beginning of July, based on Madhubala's health and her place to be ready at Safari Park," he added.   

Khalil said a lot of preparation was needed to relocate Madhubala to the Safari Park, adding that it included constructing a crate, training the elephant to enter and exit it, and preparing the road for the journey. 

"According to the progress of the constructions and logistical work, we hope to relocate Madhubala as soon as possible," he added.