The Sindh High Court has directed the immediate transfer of a brown bear named Rano from the Karachi Zoo to the Bear Sanctuary managed by the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board. The decision follows years of public concern about the bear’s poor living conditions and isolation since the death of his companion in 2020.
During the court hearing on October 14, 2025, the Senior Director of the Zoo Safari and Recreation Department (KMC) and the Conservator of the Wildlife Department, Government of Sindh, appeared before the bench. Both officials assured the court that all necessary arrangements for Rano’s relocation would be completed within two days.
According to the court’s written order, the transfer will take place via air cargo under the supervision of Mr. Javed Ahmed Mahar, Conservator of the Wildlife Department, Government of Sindh. The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has been instructed to fully cooperate with the concerned officials to ensure a safe and smooth transfer process.
The Sindh High Court emphasized that the relocation must be completed without delay. It also warned that if the transfer is not finalized within the specified time, the Senior Director of the Zoo will be required to appear in person at the next hearing to explain the non-compliance.
The hearing has been adjourned until October 17, 2025, for a progress update on Rano’s move.
Animal welfare activists have long criticized the conditions at the Karachi Zoo, describing them as inadequate and harmful for wildlife. The court’s order to relocate Rano to the Islamabad Bear Sanctuary has been welcomed by animal rights groups, who see it as a positive step toward better animal care and protection in Pakistan.
The Sindh High Court’s decision highlights growing judicial attention toward animal welfare issues and the enforcement of humane treatment standards in public zoos across the country.
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