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Express Tribune
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Transfer of endangered Brazilian monkeys to Lahore Zoo halted
In a significant development for wildlife welfare, the Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued a stay order halting the proposed transfer of endangered Brazilian rainforest monkeys from Karachi to the Lahore Zoo. The court's decision provides a temporary safeguard for the rare species, currently under the care of the Ayesha Chundrigar Foundation (ACF) Animal Rescue, an animal welfare organisation based in Karachi. According to a report dated May 6, 2025, by the Ministry of Climate Change, the relocation plan involved shifting the monkeys to the Lahore Zoo. However, this move triggered widespread concern among environmentalists, animal rights organizations, and civil society activists, who warned of potential threats to the monkeys' wellbeing. The petition was filed by Altamush Saeed and Ahmad Shoaib Atta, affiliated with the Environmental and Animal Rights Counsel (EARC). In their submission, the petitioners argued that the current conditions at Lahore Zoo are wholly unsuitable for housing such rare and sensitive primates. They cited high mortality rates among animals, extreme temperatures, substandard veterinary facilities, and inadequate infrastructure—concerns that have also been validated by national and international bodies, including WWF Pakistan. The petitioners further maintained that the monkeys would be safest in their native habitat—the Brazilian rainforest—and that no facility in Pakistan can replicate the ecological conditions necessary for their survival. They have urged international wildlife organizations to intervene and facilitate the monkeys' repatriation to their natural habitat. The court has issued notices to the relevant government departments and sought a formal response. The matter has been adjourned for further hearing in September 2025.
Express Tribune
20-05-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Wildlife dept opposes relocation of seized exotic monkeys to Lahore
Monkeys under the custody of the Ayesha Chundrigar Foundation, which they were handed over to after being rescued from an illegal consignment at Karachi airport. PHOTO: ACF Listen to article The Sindh Wildlife Department has formally opposed the proposed relocation of 26 exotic monkeys — Capuchins and Marmosets — from Karachi to Lahore, urging the Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC) to reconsider its directive issued on May 8, 2025. The department has called for adherence to legal protocols and scientific standards in dealing with the animals, which were seized in December 2024 at Jinnah international airport, after being illegally imported from South Africa using forged documents. The monkeys were confiscated by Pakistan Customs in violation of both national and international wildlife laws. Following the seizure, the animals were placed in the care of the Ayesha Chundrigar Foundation (ACF), a private animal welfare facility, on an emergency basis. Despite the matter being sub judice before a competent Customs court, the deputy conservator of wildlife, Ministry of Climate Change in Islamabad, directed the animals be transferred to a facility in Lahore. The Sindh Wildlife Department has raised serious concerns over the legality of this directive, warning that such action — without court approval — could compromise judicial proceedings and violate procedural integrity. In April 2025, the Sindh chief secretary convened a high-level virtual meeting to address the issue. Attendees included representatives from the Ministry of Climate Change, Pakistan Customs, Sindh Wildlife Department, WWF-Pakistan, and other key stakeholders. Subsequently, a technical committee was constituted by the federal secretary MoCC to assess the case and provide evidence-based recommendations grounded in law, science, and animal welfare. The joint report submitted by the Sindh Wildlife Department and WWF-Pakistan concluded that relocating the primates to Lahore would be detrimental to their health and welfare. It stressed that such a move would contradict legal standards and sound scientific practices. The report pointed out that the proposed Lahore facility lacks the species-specific infrastructure and expertise required to care for tropical primates, citing previous failures in hygiene, veterinary care, behavioral enrichment, and animal welfare. Despite these findings, the Ministry of Climate Change issued a recommendation on May 8 for the transfer of the animals to Lahore — without consulting the constituted committee or reviewing its report. The Sindh Wildlife Department, in its formal response, expressed concern over the ministry's unilateral action and the absence of any communication with the trial court where the matter is currently under legal scrutiny. The department stated that all wildlife found within Sindh's territorial jurisdiction is protected under Section 21 of the Sindh Wildlife Protection Act, 2020. Moreover, Rule 43 of the Sindh Wildlife Protection Rules, 2022, places the legal onus on airlines or transport operators involved in illegal wildlife importation to facilitate either deportation or lawful disposal, based on the wildlife officer's recommendation. From a scientific standpoint, the department strongly objected to relocating the monkeys, which are highly sensitive New World primates adapted to stable tropical climates. Capuchins and Marmosets require specific environmental conditions, including temperature regulation, enriched enclosures, social groupings, specialized diets, and experienced veterinary care—resources currently lacking at the Lahore facility. A senior official from the Sindh Wildlife Department urged the Ministry of Climate Change to revisit the findings of the technical committee and to reconvene the multi-stakeholder forum before making any final decision.
