Madhubala, is being relocated to Safari Park, putting an end to her period of ‘solitary confinement.’

The Karachi Zoo’s sole elephant, Madhubala, is scheduled to be moved to Safari Park soon, putting an end to her period of “solitary confinement” in her current enclosure, as announced by international animal welfare organization Four Paws on Friday.

At Safari Park, Madhubala, the female tusker, will be reunited with two other elephants, Sonia and Malika, who are already residing there.

Four Paws disclosed that a training session has been planned to prepare Madhubala for the relocation, involving her transportation to Safari Park in a crate.

In an official statement, the organization revealed that their elephant expert arrived in Karachi last week to initiate crate training at the zoo. The training process includes four steps based on positive reinforcement: Madhubala stepping into the crate, walking through the crate, becoming comfortable waiting in the crate, and allowing padded chains to be placed on her feet for secure transport.

The crate training not only serves as necessary preparation for her relocation but also provides positive enrichment for Madhubala. She has displayed motivation but approaches new surroundings cautiously, testing them with her trunk before taking steps forward, according to Four Paws.

The organization expressed eagerness to remove Madhubala from her distressing living conditions and reunite her with Malika and Sonia at Safari Park. Despite being in good physical condition, Madhubala has suffered mentally due to prolonged solitary confinement, exhibiting aggressive behavior as a result. Her only companion has been a car tire, which she carries around all day, indicating her deteriorating mental health.

Madhubala’s companion at Karachi Zoo, 17-year-old female tusker Noor Jehan, passed away earlier this year due to a prolonged ailment exacerbated by poor living conditions at the facility. Following Noor Jehan’s death, the city administration announced plans to relocate Madhubala to Safari Park due to the risks to her health, though the execution of the plan was delayed due to various reasons.