KARACHI: Twitterati expressed their frustrations and anger at the Karachi Management Corporation (KMC) after reports of a rare white lion’s death emerged here on Wednesday night.
According to one of the officials of the KMC, pulmonary tuberculosis was cited as the main cause of his death. He further added that the lion was being treated for about a fortnight before he passed away.
Speaking about how old the lion was and when he was brought to Pakistan from Africa, he said that the approximate age of the white lion was 14-15 years, and he was brought here nine years ago back in 2012.
It is pertinent to mention here that the average age of white lion is about 16.8 years.
The lion was said to be suffering from pneumonia, causing his lungs to stop working.
Meanwhile, Karachi Administrator Barrister Murtaza Wahab has asked for a detailed report as to why and how the lion died. He has also assured the people of strict disciplinary action if negligence on anyone’s part was found.
A Dawn reporter said that the Zoo should be closed permanently.
This zoo should be closed permanently and workers of the zoo also should be charged for killing this animal. Government and current chief minister should also be sacked.
Rare white lion dies at Karachi Zoo, Murtaza Wahab seeks report https://t.co/ZqGkIE6VuT— Imran Gabol (@gabolizm) November 24, 2021
Another user said that the lion did not die of TB, but starvation.
. @KmcPakistan
This lion did not just die of TB, #KarachiZoo starved him to death. Shut this disgusting pit of a zoo down before more animals die, they make up excuses so they can remain blameless for his death. It's the zoo's fault he died. https://t.co/oM1jG1GXOP— LION LOVERS (@LIONLOVERS5) November 24, 2021
Another user blamed the zoo management for deaths of rare breed animals.
A rare white African Lion dies in Karachi Zoo, age 15. What a majestic creature we lost due to poor management of Karachi Zoo and Government! White Lion was suffering from tuberculosis for 12 days..Management is responsible for all deaths occurring on regular basis!#KarachiZoo pic.twitter.com/Z07EwzT8YQ
— Engr Kazim Hussain Channa🇵🇰 (@kazimhc19) November 25, 2021
Actress Ushna Shah said that zoos must be shut down in Pakistan.
@ImranKhanPTI Karachi Zoo starved white lion to death. Lacerations on his body (he was tortured). Animal abuse in Pakistan is rampant & as a nation is not morally (or financially) equipped to have zoos. They must be shut down.
Local and international media please take notice! pic.twitter.com/e1B28GEQsj— Ushna Shah (@ushnashah) November 25, 2021