TO put at risk the lives and well-being of animals in order to score political points before an election is a particularly cruel gimmick, but how else can one interpret the findings of a committee looking into the recent deaths of several animals at Peshawar Zoo? According to its report, the facility’s top management “due to poor operation mechanism” is squarely responsible for the distressing situation. Even though zoo authorities, not surprisingly, are reluctant to divulge exact figures, several species of deer, as well as a monkey, three leopard cubs and a number of birds are said to have died over the past few weeks. From interviews with several committee members, cited in a report in this newspaper, it seems that against a requirement of 250 employees, only 35 — many of them not even properly trained — are looking after 100 or so animals aside from numerous birds. Moreover, full-grown trees on the site were cut down and the 3,000 saplings planted in their stead left the enclosures exposed to the summer sun.

Clearly, these issues needed time to be properly addressed, and if the facility had opened as per schedule in December 2018, that could have been achieved. The size of the workforce and the quality of their training may have been commensurate with their task, and the surroundings more conducive to the physical and mental well-being of captive wildlife. But, an election had to be won and, evidently, if a few animals died in the process, it was a gamble worth taking. This callous approach to animal welfare is sadly far too common. Let alone the dire conditions in other zoos, one can still recall the sight of a wretched caged tiger, and on occasion a lion, being paraded around in PML-N’s rallies until that attracted too much negative publicity from animal rights activists. While all politicians on the campaign trail want to be seen as saviours of the people, it should not entail cruelty to our fellow creatures.

Published in Dawn, June 19th, 2018