In her new life, Madhubala will be able to roam in an enlarged green place at Safari Park and will also be reunited with her family, the female elephants Sonia and Malika, whom she was separated from 14 years ago. After the death of her beloved partner Noor Jehan in April 2023, Madhubala was left alone in the poor husbandry conditions of Karachi Zoo.

After a crucial meeting with Murtaza Wahab, the newly elected mayor Karachi, change is on the horizon. Recognising the substandard conditions at Karachi Zoo, Mayor Wahab has promised he will do everything to ensure the future of the three elephants and supports the work of FOUR PAWS to find sustainable solutions. The mayor permitted FOUR PAWS to relocate Madhubala end of September to the Safari Park and to make important improvements to the elephant enclosure, together with joint efforts of the Task Force, appointed by the Sindh government.

In the first steps, the government has committed to create a pool and acquire additional land of 1.5 acres for the elephant enclosure at the Safari Park, as a prior step before establishing an even larger home for the elephants.

FOUR PAWS' focus now is to prepare everything for the urgently needed relocation, to end the risk of her being kept in solitarily, and to improve her life by moving her out of the zoo, reuniting her with her sisters Malika and Sonia, and giving her access to a much bigger enclosure. The next steps will be taken: checking and inspecting Madhubala’s transport crate, enrichments, precautions, and major improvements of the Safari Park enclosure to ensure the safety of Madhubala and her elephant sisters, visitors, and caretakers. 

With Madhubala's relocation and the reunion with her family, a powerful signal would be sent for enhanced animal welfare in Pakistan.

Stay tuned for more updates on her journey!