Islamabad Zoo

Islamabad Zoo (Urdu: اسلام آباد چڑیا گھر‎), previously Marghazar Zoo, is an 82-acre (33 ha) zoo in Islamabad Capital Territory. It was opened in 1978,[1] and is under the administration of Capital Development Authority of Pakistan.[2]

Islamabad Zoo
Date opened1978[1]
LocationPir Sohawa Road,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Coordinates33°44′3.47″N 73°3′32.81″E
Land area82 acres (33 ha)[2]
No. of animals~600
No. of species?
Annual visitors~1 million [1]

History

The zoo started in 1978 as a refuge for leopards, spotted deer, and Indian gazelle found in the region, and is administered by Capital Development Authority of Pakistan. Located in the feet of Margalla Hills.[1] It soon gained popularity and became a part of the Japanese garden. An aviary was later constructed. The Capital Development Authority devised a plan in August 2008 to upgrade and extend the zoo as a recreational area and wildlife sanctuary. The estimated cost of the project is 1407.8 million Pakistani rupees.[2] As of February 2019, Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul told a Senate committee that she has requested the government to hand over the control to the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board for better management of the zoo and care of the animals.[3] Gul said, “The zoo needs to be returned from the MCI to the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board that has qualified individuals and trained caretakers.”

Controversies

On September 2016, the 32 year-old Asian elephant named Kaavan, turned mentally ill due to being chain bound for the last two decades.[4] The neglect spawned international attention, and there was a #SaveKavaan hashtag on social media. The zoo consequently decided to send Kavaan to his homeland of Cambodia.[5] but despite this ruling Kaavan is still there and suffering. In July 2017, four lion cubs died due to keepers giving them high intakes of Welmingnch milk instead of a lioness' milk.[6] Later in 2017, a male ostrich died due to negligence of the zoo staff.[7] In August 2018, six deer were mauled by a wolf at an extension of the zoo. The zoo has also been criticised for the insufficient or bad quality of food, the small cages they are put in, and their poor health.[8]

On 21 May 2020, the Islamabad High Court ordered that the elephant Kaavan should be immediately relocated to a different sanctuary following a four year campaign by popular pop singer Cher since 2016 demanding for the release of Kaavan from Islamabad Zoo.[9][10]

Animal list
Plains zebras at the zoo

Aves

Accipitriformes

Anseriformes

Columbiformes

Galliformes

Gruiformes

Pelecaniformes

Psittaciformes

Strigiformes

Struthioniformes

Mammals

Artiodactyla

Carnivora

Lagomorpha

Perissodactyla

Primates

Proboscidae

Reptiles

Testudines

See also

Notes
  1. "Islamabad Zoo presents a deserted look". nation.com.pk. The Nation. 2009. Archived from the original on 7 January 2010. Retrieved 3 June 2010.
  2. "Development of Marghazar Zoo, Islamabad". cda.gov.pk. Capital Development Authority. 2008. Archived from the original on 14 May 2010. Retrieved 3 June 2010.
  3. Shahid, Jamal (2019-02-21). "Islamabad wildlife dept should take over Marghazar Zoo: minister". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2019-03-30.
  4. (Pakistan Today)
  5. (Dunya News)
  6. (Pakistan Today)
  7. (PakObserver)
  8. Editorial (2019-02-23). "Marghazar Zoo". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2019-03-30.
  9. "Pakistan to free elephant Kaavan after campaign by US singer Cher". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2020-05-24.
  10. "Pakistan to free elephant Kaavan after campaign by US singer Cher | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 2020-05-24.
  11. "Go hear them roar!: Lions' roar echoes at capital zoo after over a decade - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 2016-05-30. Retrieved 2016-10-12.

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