Import of Giraffes, Rhinos, Hippos for Lahore zoo delayed over quarantine issues
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The Punjab Wildlife Department faces yet another hurdle in its animal import plans as the Animal Quarantine Department has withheld clearance for the import of giraffes, rhinos, and hippos from South Africa.
The ambitious initiative to bring in large exotic animals for Lahore Zoo and Safari Park has now been delayed indefinitely, following a similar suspension of the elephant import project.
Punjab Wildlife officials remain hopeful, however, that the situation will be resolved soon, enabling the arrival of the animals as part of the ongoing revamping of Lahore's zoological facilities.
Several birds and animals have already been procured both domestically and internationally for Lahore Zoo and Safari Park.
However, the import of major species — including 12 giraffes (nine for the Safari and three for the Zoo), three rhinos (one for the Zoo and a pair for the Safari), and one male hippopotamus for the Zoo — has been delayed.
According to Mudassar Hassan, Director of the Revamping Project, while the federal Ministry of Climate Change has issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the import of several species including giraffes, rhinos, hippos, nyala antelopes, and zebras — excluding elephants — the Animal Quarantine Department has yet to grant final approval due to concerns over disease risk.
Officials from the Animal Quarantine Department told Express News that health certificates for the animals being imported from South Africa are currently under review to ensure compliance with Pakistan's import regulations.
'If the existing health certificates do not meet the required standards, we will seek additional verification from the importers,' an official said. 'This is a purely procedural matter, intended to ensure that no foreign disease enters the country.'
The department is particularly cautious about the presence of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) virus in several African countries, including South Africa. While this strain is not currently present in Pakistan, officials fear that its introduction could pose a serious threat to the local livestock industry.
Sources confirm that a temporary ban has been placed on the import of giraffes, rhinos, hippos, and other large animals from South Africa as a precautionary measure due to the FMD risk.
The Quarantine Department has advised Punjab Wildlife to explore alternative countries for animal procurement, preferably those free from the FMD virus.
However, Mudassar Hassan pointed out that this suggestion is difficult to implement. 'These species are either not available in other countries or are not surplus,' he said. 'Moreover, only South Africa has the cargo aircraft infrastructure needed for transporting such large animals.'
He added that the Wildlife Department has proposed a quarantine plan under which the animals will undergo initial quarantine in South Africa, followed by another 15- to 30-day quarantine period upon arrival in Pakistan.
'Furthermore, the specific strain of FMD virus being cited has never been reported in rhinos or hippos,' he stated. 'It is also important to note that these animals will be housed in zoos and safari parks, not in proximity to livestock.'
While the positions of Punjab Wildlife and the Animal Quarantine Department differ, WWF Pakistan's representative, Dr. Uzma Khan highlighted another important issue — the source of the animals. 'We should import animals from zoos, not directly from the wild,' she said. 'It is difficult to confirm whether imported animals are wild-caught or captive-bred, especially in African countries.'
Dr. Khan emphasized the importance of following legal and ethical protocols. 'It is preferable to procure animals from zoos, safari parks, or certified breeding farms in FMD-free countries, as these animals adapt better to captivity,' she said. 'In contrast, wild-caught animals often suffer stress and illness when confined.'
Another critical concern is the fiscal timeline. If the animals are not imported within the current financial year, the funds allocated for the project will lapse under public finance regulations.
However, Project Director Mudassar Hassan remains optimistic that the imports will proceed in time. 'Discussions are underway to extend the import deadline,' he said. 'I can't say anything definitive yet, but we expect to deliver good news to the public very soon.'
Launched in 2023 under the caretaker government, the Lahore Zoo and Safari Park Revamping Project was allocated nearly Rs. 5 billion.
The success of the animal imports is seen as a crucial milestone in the project's progress.
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Express Tribune
8 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Quarantine issue halts import of giraffes, rhinos
The Punjab Wildlife Department's ambitious plan to import exotic animals for the Lahore Zoo and Safari Park has encountered a major obstacle, as the Animal Quarantine Department has withheld clearance for the arrival of giraffes, rhinos, and a hippopotamus from South Africa. The delay marks another setback in the department's broader revamping initiative, which has already seen the suspension of a separate elephant import project. Although several birds and animals have already been procured from domestic and international sources, the import of larger, high-profile species - including 12 giraffes (nine for the Safari Park and three for the Zoo), three rhinos (a pair for the Safari and one for the Zoo), and a male hippopotamus - remains in limbo. Director of the Revamping Project, Mudassar Hassan, confirmed that the federal Ministry of Climate Change has already issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the import of various species, including giraffes, rhinos, hippos, nyala antelopes, and zebras. However, the Animal Quarantine Department has withheld final approval, citing disease control concerns - particularly the risk of introducing the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) virus into Pakistan. Officials from the Animal Quarantine Department explained that health certificates accompanying the animals are under close scrutiny. "We must ensure full compliance with Pakistan's import health standards," one official said. "If the documentation falls short, additional verification will be requested. This is a routine precaution to protect the country's livestock from foreign diseases." The department's concern stems from the ongoing presence of the FMD virus in several African countries, including South Africa. While the virus has not been reported in Pakistan, authorities are wary of the potential for an outbreak if infected animals are imported. As a precautionary measure, a temporary ban has reportedly been imposed on the import of large animals from South Africa. The Quarantine Department has also advised Punjab Wildlife officials to consider alternate sourcing from countries certified free of FMD - an option project leaders say is difficult to implement. "These species are not readily available in other countries, nor are there sufficient surplus animals," Mudassar Hassan explained. "In addition, only South Africa currently has the specialized cargo infrastructure necessary to transport such large animals." Hassan further noted that a comprehensive quarantine protocol has been proposed: animals would first undergo health monitoring in South Africa, followed by a 15- to 30-day quarantine upon arrival in Pakistan. He also emphasised that the specific FMD strain in question has never been reported in rhinos or hippos and that these animals would be housed in isolated zoo and safari environments, far from livestock. Meanwhile, WWF Pakistan's Dr Uzma Khan raised ethical concerns, urging the government to ensure that imported animals come from captive breeding programs and not the wild. "Animals caught from the wild often suffer in captivity," she warned. "It is crucial to source from certified breeding farms or zoos in disease-free countries to ensure their wellbeing and ease of adaptation."
Express Tribune
2 days ago
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Import of Giraffes, Rhinos, Hippos for Lahore zoo delayed over quarantine issues
Listen to article The Punjab Wildlife Department faces yet another hurdle in its animal import plans as the Animal Quarantine Department has withheld clearance for the import of giraffes, rhinos, and hippos from South Africa. The ambitious initiative to bring in large exotic animals for Lahore Zoo and Safari Park has now been delayed indefinitely, following a similar suspension of the elephant import project. Punjab Wildlife officials remain hopeful, however, that the situation will be resolved soon, enabling the arrival of the animals as part of the ongoing revamping of Lahore's zoological facilities. Several birds and animals have already been procured both domestically and internationally for Lahore Zoo and Safari Park. However, the import of major species — including 12 giraffes (nine for the Safari and three for the Zoo), three rhinos (one for the Zoo and a pair for the Safari), and one male hippopotamus for the Zoo — has been delayed. According to Mudassar Hassan, Director of the Revamping Project, while the federal Ministry of Climate Change has issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the import of several species including giraffes, rhinos, hippos, nyala antelopes, and zebras — excluding elephants — the Animal Quarantine Department has yet to grant final approval due to concerns over disease risk. Officials from the Animal Quarantine Department told Express News that health certificates for the animals being imported from South Africa are currently under review to ensure compliance with Pakistan's import regulations. 'If the existing health certificates do not meet the required standards, we will seek additional verification from the importers,' an official said. 'This is a purely procedural matter, intended to ensure that no foreign disease enters the country.' The department is particularly cautious about the presence of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) virus in several African countries, including South Africa. While this strain is not currently present in Pakistan, officials fear that its introduction could pose a serious threat to the local livestock industry. Sources confirm that a temporary ban has been placed on the import of giraffes, rhinos, hippos, and other large animals from South Africa as a precautionary measure due to the FMD risk. The Quarantine Department has advised Punjab Wildlife to explore alternative countries for animal procurement, preferably those free from the FMD virus. However, Mudassar Hassan pointed out that this suggestion is difficult to implement. 'These species are either not available in other countries or are not surplus,' he said. 'Moreover, only South Africa has the cargo aircraft infrastructure needed for transporting such large animals.' He added that the Wildlife Department has proposed a quarantine plan under which the animals will undergo initial quarantine in South Africa, followed by another 15- to 30-day quarantine period upon arrival in Pakistan. 'Furthermore, the specific strain of FMD virus being cited has never been reported in rhinos or hippos,' he stated. 'It is also important to note that these animals will be housed in zoos and safari parks, not in proximity to livestock.' While the positions of Punjab Wildlife and the Animal Quarantine Department differ, WWF Pakistan's representative, Dr. Uzma Khan highlighted another important issue — the source of the animals. 'We should import animals from zoos, not directly from the wild,' she said. 'It is difficult to confirm whether imported animals are wild-caught or captive-bred, especially in African countries.' Dr. Khan emphasized the importance of following legal and ethical protocols. 'It is preferable to procure animals from zoos, safari parks, or certified breeding farms in FMD-free countries, as these animals adapt better to captivity,' she said. 'In contrast, wild-caught animals often suffer stress and illness when confined.' Another critical concern is the fiscal timeline. If the animals are not imported within the current financial year, the funds allocated for the project will lapse under public finance regulations. However, Project Director Mudassar Hassan remains optimistic that the imports will proceed in time. 'Discussions are underway to extend the import deadline,' he said. 'I can't say anything definitive yet, but we expect to deliver good news to the public very soon.' Launched in 2023 under the caretaker government, the Lahore Zoo and Safari Park Revamping Project was allocated nearly Rs. 5 billion. The success of the animal imports is seen as a crucial milestone in the project's progress.
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